Tupac Shakur: A Shining Beacon in Hip Hop

By:Sandra Stammberger

Tupac Amaru Shakur was born Lesane Crooks on June 19th, 1971. The man so affectionately known as the godfather of West Coast gangster rap was raised by his mother, Afeni Shakur. Afeni was a dedicated black panther and gave birth to Tupac while behind bars. Tupac’s life wouldn’t get any easier.

He grew up poor and with a mother that had a crack addiction. Tupac, however, was a survivor. He enjoyed reading, poetry and literature. His love for the arts soon landed him a scholarship to the Baltimore School of Arts in which he stared in his first play as the lead for the play “Raisin in the Sun.”

After going through school, Tupac landed a job as a back up dancer for the up and coming rap group Digital Underground. He got the honor of touring the country with the group and soon discovered his own skills on the microphone when Digital Underground allowed him to rap on one of their singles entitled “Same Song.” This was Tupac’s big break.

Tupac was later signed to Death Row Records, which was owned by the notorious thug Suge Knight. Tupac prospered on the label with his debut 1991 record “2pacalypse Now.” The album was certified gold and went on to sell millions of copies.

Tupac’s short career and life was ended on September 7, 1996. He was shot after attending a fight in Las Vegas. On the Vegas Strip, a car pulled up to his black Mercedes at a red light and opened fire. Tupac was killed and Suge Knight escaped with minor wounds. To this day, the killer has not been found and there are no suspects.

Throughout all the legal trouble, controversial lyrics and his gangster lifestyle, Tupac was a role model. He demonstrated love for his people and for all people by funding inner-city programs for youth and for adults. Tupac was known to be very kind to his fans of all ages and races. He proved to be a “Rose That Grew from Concrete” in making something of his rough life. He is inspiration to all.

This is a short synopsis of a man whose passion, drive, emotion, positive contributions and life can barely be described in a novel.
Follow your dreams.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: hip hop, rap

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

S. Stammberger is editor of Hip Hop 333.
All about hip hop: resources, articles, and news.

Top Music Articles
1). U2s Bono From Rock Star To Designer To Humanitarian By : Sher Matsen U2s lead singer Bono isn’t content with being part of a top band. Fashion and Music – well I’m sure they can mix! Bono was born Paul David Hewson in 1960 in Dublin Ireland. His stage name is Bono. Bono is the lead singer of US, he is also a songwriter. He married Ali Stewart in August 1982 and they have 5 children. Bono is also actively involved in as an activist and screenwriter.
2). 4/4 Rhythm Strumming By : ian Williamson If you are learning how to play the guitar, the basic 4/4 strumming technique is one of the first guitar playing techniques that you must be able to master.
3). Feel the Guitar Beat By : ian Williamson The reason why most people who try to play the guitar and are not “up to snuff” is that they give too easily. The problem with these people is that they tend to think that there is something wrong with them and why they simply cannot get the strings to sound right.
4). Music Production and Mixing Tips & Tricks By : Ian Waugh What makes a pro recording pro? What is the "sound" that the pros get and how can you make your recordings sound more professional? The simple answer is - there's no simple answer. But with careful listening and a little experience you can create excellent results with modest equipment. Good mixing starts ear The first and most important item of.
5). Are You Holding Your Guitar Correctly ? By : ian Williamson A guitar can be an easy and fun instrument to play. Start by learning the correct method of handling the instrument.
6). Understanding The Purpose Of The Guitar Neck Shim By : Michael Granger Some guitars will just NOT adjust properly with the standard methods available like the bridge saddles, nut filing adjustments and the ability to set the bow (or lack thereof) of the neck itself. Adding shims to the bolt on neck may be necessary to get the guitar to play properly at all locations up and down the neck. A nut shim acts as a spacer between the nut and neck raising and lowering the distance between all of the strings at the lower end of the guitar, starting at fret 1 and moving towards the body of the guitar.
7). Creating The Perfect Structure For Your Song By : Ian Waugh You know what they say about rules? Actually they say lots of things about rules but here's two - rules were made to be broken, and you have to know what the rules are before you can break them. While Judge Dredd may not agree with the first, the second is certainly true and nevermore so than in writing a song. The song structure may not be the first thing you think about when you start writing.
8). Make Your Own Beats, Instrumentals, Tracks, and Demo CDs By : Matthew Keith Many people are making an excellent living selling thier samples, tracks, and cd's, on the Internet and off, even if they're not with a major record label. Just look around on the Internet. People are paying $30 to $60 for small beat and and sound packages, $50 to $100 for small loopsets and beatsets, $100 to $300 for Instrumentals, $100's to $1,000's for complete tracks and samples, and for the few lucky ones like Jay-Z and J D.
9). iPod Shuffle: Technology for a Lifetime By : Sandra Stammberger If someone said fifteen years ago that you could hold 240 songs in a device no bigger than a pack of gum, you’d probably be hauled off to the loony bin. But today, they are more of a reality than Survivor, the Apprentice and American Idol combined. This is an innovation brought upon by Apple with their iPod and the iPod shuffle.
10). Visual Kei As a Music World Vision By : Music Babylon Visual Kei appears to be frequently used in videos and grab audience’s attentions. Visual Kei followers are characterised by a rather stunning, although freak appearance of a striking make-up and elaborate costumes, causing a shock effect. To recall, for instance, Merlyn Manson, who is among few to follow the style in the US. The trend is popular among modern bands, irrespective of rumours, suggesting that the style suffered no popularity in the USA and Europe.

New Music Articles
1). Ukulele Tab: Learn To Play Morning Has Broken On Your Ukulele By : Peter Edvinsson An ukulele is used mostly to play chords to songs. But you can also play melodies. Today you will learn to play Morning Has Broken on your ukulele!
2). Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, American Idol, Nashville Star - Who Really Wins? By : Jaci Rae Equipping yourself with the right marketing strategies and networking with others in your field is the most important thing you can do.
3). Piano Lesson: Learn Piano Improvisation Through Classical Piano Music By : Peter Edvinsson Piano improvisation in a classical music way is an interesting complement to ordinary piano improvisational practicing. Let me suggest a way to practice!
4). How Record Pools Can Make Musicians Rich! By : Kenny Love Record pools...ever heard of them? The chance is that you have not. And, there is an equal reason that you have not. And, even though major record labels have used them for years, and continue to use record pools extensively, record pools are one of the most secretive elements within the Music industry.
5). The Many Incredible Benefits Of Learning Chording Techniques On The Piano By : Duane Shinn Many piano players seem to spend their entire lives "chained to the written music". They can sight-read sheet music, but when it comes to knowing what to play when the music blows off the stand and onto the floor, they are entirely lost.
6). Playing an Instrument to Beat the Mid-life Blues By : Sam Salmon The answer to being happy once in your mid-thirties is to fill your life with the things you always wanted or thought you might one day have, just on a more realistic scale. Thus begins my quest for musicians to jam with.
7). Piano Lesson: How To Improvise The Classical Piano Way By : Peter Edvinsson Is it possible to improvise on the piano in a classical manner? This piano lesson will help you find out how to cultivate this art and the benefits you reap as a pianist!
8). Can You Become a Boogie-Man or Boogie-Lady? By : Duane Shinn Boogie music, also known as boogie woogie, is a genre of piano-heavy music particular to America in the 1940s and 50s.
9). A Brief History of Taylor Guitars By : William McRea Taylor Guitars officially began in 1974 with the purchase of a business by three friends. They had a rough beginning, but eventually persevered. Now the company boasts plenty of acoustic guitar models and has earned their place as one of the top acoustic guitar manufacturers in the world.
10). Home Run Gigs (The Top Gig Money-Makers) By : Kenny Love Are you still playing your heart out to small audiences on gigs at unappreciative dives (excuse me, I meant to say nightclubs) that feel paying you a couple of hundred dollars for a 3-4 hour gig is also paying you about $150 too much?