The Growing Myth of Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, 1971 in New York City to Black Panther member Afeni Shakur. He frequently lived below the poverty level and moved around much of the country during his childhood. He began writing raps and acting at a very young age. As a young man in his twenties he released a critically acclaimed debut album entitled “2Pacalypse Now.” This album garnered respect because with his lyrics he told stories of the society he lived in. He rapped about topics such as poverty, teenage pregnancy, gang violence, and drugs. Topics which rappers often glamorize but Tupac’s lyrics embodied the truth of living in the ghetto. Shortly after his first album he released a second album which also garnered him great respect in the nation among people who dealt with similar problems.
He began acting and did very well with his debut appearance in Juice, this led to other acting opportunities and he began rapping and acting simultaneously. As he began to get famous he started to have run-ins with the law. This led to being sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison for sexual assault. The day after his guilty verdict was announced, Tupac was going to a New York City recordings studio to record, on the way to the elevators Tupac was approached by a pair of muggers. When he refused to hand over his valuables the muggers shot Tupac nine times, including two grazings to the head. He survived the attack and while in prison he accused a rapper from the east coast, The Notorious B.I.G., of orchestrating the hit. This led to tension in the hip hop community as people began to choose sides. His third album “Me Against The World” was released while he was in prison, debuting at the number one spot on the billboard charts, his lyrics in this album spoke of his death, his soon imprisonment, and many other heartfelt topics. Tupac served eight months of his sentence when he was bailed out by the west coasts Death Row...