Two decades ago, we lost one of the most influential, prolific rappers of our time: Tupac Shakur.
In his recent biopic ALL EYEZ ON ME, we learn that Tupac was more than just a famed thug, and even more than a hip hop legend. He was a revolutionary, an activist. Shakur was the voice of the voiceless. His audacious lyrics about growing up poor and black in America resonated with fans nationwide and his music still echoes today during these turmoil times.
ALL EYEZ ON ME, gives us a look inside the troubled rapper’s life, showing us that there’s more to Tupac that meets the eye.
Here are five things we learned from watching Tupac Shakur’s biopic, ALL EYEZ ON ME.
1.BLACK PANTHER PRIDE RAN THROUGH HIS VEINS
Tupac Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur, was a Black Panther activist. In 1970, while pregnant with Tupac, she was locked up for “conspiring to start a race war.” She later defended herself in court and was acquitted of the case.
Actress Danai Gurira plays Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, in the biopic film “ALL EYEZ ON ME”.
2. HE WAS A SHAKESPEAREAN HIP-HOP ARTIST
Tupac was a poet and often quoted Shakespeare. His book, The Rose That Grew From Concrete, is a collection of poems and lyrics written by the “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” singer.
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3. T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.
Tupac had a tattoo across his chest that said T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. Thug was an acronym for The Hate U Gave Little Infants Fucks Everybody. The Oxford Dictionary defines thug as “a violent person, especially a criminal”. But Tupac’s vision was to redefine the word “thug” to mean a man who triumphs over systemic and societal obstacles.
Actor Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac in ALL EYEZ ON ME. Tupac’s T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. tattoo had a special meaning. (ALL EYEZ ON ME movie screengrab.)
4. EAST COAST TO WEST COAST
Tupac was born in New York, later moved to Baltimore and shortly after made his way to the West Coast. So, in reality, he’s really from the East Side.
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5. TUPAC, STRAIGHT BALLIN’ EVEN AFTER DEATH
Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide making him the highest selling rap artist of all time. He’s the only artist whose posthumous ALL EYEZ ON ME album has been certified Diamond. And in case you didn’t know, Diamond albums are albums or singles, which have sold over 10 million copies. Can we say Ballin’?!
Tupac Shakur is the only artist to have reached Diamond status, after selling over 10 million copies of his ALL EYEZ ON ME album, posthumously.
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