Tupac Amaru Shakur was only 25 years old when he was shot riding in the passenger seat of a black 1996 BMW down the Las Vegas strip. One week later he died as a result of his injuries. Even though Tupac, also known as 2pac or Makaveli, was only on this earth for a short time he left his mark with over 75 million albums sold to date and still remains one of the best-selling music artists in the world 13 years after his death. Out of his hundreds of songs recorded, these are my personal top 10.
“Staring at the world through my rear view”
Off the album “Ressurection”, this song was a insight to the mind of Tupac. He talks about his struggles and looking back on how he moved on from them. “I’m seeing nothin but my dreams coming true, While I’m staring at the world through my rear view”.
“Picture me rollin”
Off the album “All eyez on me”, this upbeat song was made for all the doubters Tupac had. For anybody that thought he couldn’t make something for himself. He laughs throughout the song with the type of tone like “Look at me now”.
“Dear Mama”
This memorable track was produced by Tony Pizarro, but written by Tupac himself in tribute to his mother, Afeni
Shakur who had raised him by herself since he was born. “I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
cause when I was low, you was there for me”. It was featured on his third album, “Me against the world”.
“Hail Mary”
A notorious song off the album “Makavelli”, Tupac uses his alias of Makavelli to speak about his trials and tribulations in life, and what will become in his afterlife.
“Life goes on”
From the album “All Eyez on Me” 2pac uses this song to reminisce on old friends who are dead and gone. He says he pours out liquor in their memory, but no matter what life goes on.
“Brenda’s Got a Baby”
On his debut album “2Pacalypse Now“, Tupac tells a
tantalizing story of a 12 year old girl who becomes pregnant by her cousin. Her parents are drug addicts, and she cannot raise the baby by herself so she turns to prostitution. The story shed light on situations that others at the time didn’t normally address.
“Keep ya head up”
A softer side of Tupac is shown on this song from the album “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.“. He addresses his respect for women while also trying to relay a positive message about life and that no matter what things will get easier.
“How do U want it”
This song featuring major recording artists K-Ci and JoJo was on the album “All eyez on me“. It debuted number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. The song also featured one of tupac’s first “diss” comments about another rapper, this one being about C. Delores Tucker.
“Changes”
The song was written by Tupac and Bruce Hornsby and was featured on the album “Greatest Hits“. It contains many issues including drugs, gang violence and police brutality. The main message is how nobody is doing anything to change the negative things in life. “I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?”
“2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted”
This song was written by Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger. The song was reportedly the first song to open the door to the “East Coast vs West Coast beef” where tupac takes a stab at Biggie and P Diddy. The music video also was a parody of the two, named “Piggie” and “Buff Daddy”. It was the second single released off the album “All eyez on me“.
With all the success that Tupac has had even after his death, it is a sure thing his legacy will always live on.
http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/s/tupacshakur/tupacshakur.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6067116
http://www.franksreelreviews.com/shorttakes/tupac.htm
