Before I begin let me just say that I think Tupac’s death was tragic. I would wish death on no person, well, very few people.
(For those of you Pac fans prone to hatemail, allow me to cut to the chase and say that I think Tupac is incredibly overrated as an MC and cultural icon for that matter. There, I’ve saved you from reading a diatribe of disgust for Tupac feel free to fire off that nasty email now.)
My Beef With Tupac
My beef with Tupac is basically that he was an actor whose merits were overshadowed by conflicting messages. Even when he did say something meaningful, it was far from original. Furthermore his legacy is a wasted generation.
Firstly everyone needs to accept the fact that Tupac was far from “real.” Did he have an easy life? No, but he wasn’t a thug either. Tupac was just a guy who played roles particularly well.
When I lived in Baltimore, everyday on my way to work I would pass the school that Tupac went to. The Baltimore School of Performing Arts is the Charm City equivalent of the “Fame” school in New York. Only talented kids attend, and everyone will attest to Tupac’s talent as an actor. Thugs don’t usually attend exclusive schools like that.
Then we can fast forward to Tupac tossing up the “W.” This is just another example of Tupac playing a role. He aligned with Suge Knight, who was already embroiled in a beef with Puff Daddy. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” was Tupac’s mentality. Some people claim that Tupac was unhappy on Death Row, but he seemed pretty buddy buddy with Suge didn’t he? So which Pac genuine? And if he didn’t dig Death Row then why is his “realness” sung from mountaintops with nary a mention of this stunning example of phoniness?
Multiple Personality Disorder
I get so confused with the numerous Tupacs. He was like all of the Spice Girls, in one person.* Sometimes he’s a thug. Sometimes he’s a revolutionary. Sometimes he’s a sensitive poet. And sometimes he’s a hedonist. It’s almost dizzying trying to keep track of where he lands on scale of Black Consciousness.
Let’s start with the hedonist, because clearly inebriation is the farthest one can get from consciousness. Here was a rapper who boasted about alcohol and marijuana intakes. He bragged about his sexual exploits, because women were nothing more than objects to him. He flashed his wealth around be it in the form of his jewelry (most notably his chain) or his money. He’s the one that got Tupac locked up. He’s also the role model for everything that’s wrong with Hip Hop today.
Next let’s go to the thug. Here was a guy who was doing wrong, but at least he was aware that it was wrong. There was an acknowledgement of his action being of the opposite end of the spectrum from good. So there was a chance at finding a better way of life. Unfortunately he’s what got Tupac killed. He wasn’t good, but he had a shot at redemption.
Then we find the sensitive poet. This is the guy behind “Dear Mama,” arguably one of Hip Hop’s greatest songs. He opened up his heart the way no MC other than LL had. He showed up his deepest thoughts and fears. That guy wasn’t so bad. He gave Hip Hop some much needed heart and soul.
Finally we have the revolutionary. He bragged about the Black Panther blood in his veins. He was the one who pointed his finger at society and demanded answers. He was also the one who practiced what he preached (shooting at cops.) This is one is pretty admirable. He showed great potential.
But which one is the real one? Some of them should be mutually exclusive. Can the reckless hedonist and aware revolutionary both exist together? Pac knew about the dangerousness of substance abuse (by witnessing what it did to his mother) yet he inebriation was practically a pastime. How do those two coexist? And didn’t the sensitive poet and the brash thug conflict with each other? Some might call this “multifaceted” or “well rounded” but to me it’s “highly contradictory.”
The Unoriginality of Pac
This segment is guest written by 411Black’s Mathan
Pac’s fan, often with a glazed look in their eye and salivating madly, say that he talked about real things. That may be true, but it wasn’t anything that hadn’t been said before. I remember when Pac first dropped, one of my friends said that I should listen to it. He thought I would like it because I loved Public Enemy.
Let’s look at the environment surrounding Tupac’s full-length debut. Latasha Harlins had already by shot and killed. Yusef Hawkins was already dead. Michael Griffith and Michael Donald had both been killed (Donald was actually lynched) within the past ten years. Rodney King’s beating was still making the news.
Pac was the son of a Black Panther was taught all about it. I’m not going to argue that what he said wasn’t true, or relevant. But he didn’t say anything that Ice Cube, Public Enemy or even Paris hadn’t said already. Does this detract from his message; no. It’s not meant to, but it is meant to put perspective to the environment that produced the artist that everyone claims was so in touch with the pulse of the urban angst.
Now let me address another one of my major problems with Tupac’s fans; they overvalue his pessimism about his future.
This may come as a surprise to white readers but it’s like this; nihilism is inherent in young Black males in the United States. It’s a part of life. Once you, as a Black male, get past a certain age you realize that statistically things aren’t in your favor. Some of us don’t see hitting middle age, much less retirement age.
Listen to Good Charlotte or any of those whiny nu metalers. They all complain about how their lives are and the pressure they’re under. Well it’s exactly what Tupac was doing. They are white talking about the trappings and burden of being expected to succeed. Tupac was Black and talking about the trappings and burden of being expected to fail. They are both symbolic of how the country sees their respective race; whites succeed and Blacks fail.
Yet Tupac is praised by whites and Blacks alike for his keen insight into his own mortality, when in fact he’s just performing a Black male rite of passage publicly. They’ve been shot at about as many times as Tupac, but is anyone praising the people in “Back in the Hood; Gang War 2” for talking about their death? Then why does Tupac get so much credit for his obsession with mortality?
I, the journalist of the year for my senior class in high school, doubted that I’d see past 21. In fact I even mentioned it when I was interviewed for the school paper, following the award. So does that mean that if I, a celebrated writer who pondered his own death, were shot and killed in Las Vegas (oooooooooooh) that I would be celebrated for my sharp, yet ultimately limiting insight? It’s doubtful.
(I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Music Mathan for allowing me to vent. Remember; bombard Widro with “Free 411Black Mathan” emails)
Tupac’s Legacy
In the years after Pac’s death not too much has changed. People love his music though, including;
-Crack dealers who would blast his music while selling poison to his mother.
– Millions of newfound “thugs” in all shape, age, size and color, with more finding their inner thug ever day.
– Plenty of revolutionaries lis- wait, no one actually picked up on that part of his persona.
– Brainwashed fanatics who believe that contradictory messages equate to depth and will endless proclaim their allegiance to him. Their battle cry is “B.I.G. was aiight, but Pac”¦”
So there you have it. For the past three weeks I’ve been meaning to get that off my chest.
*For the record my favorite Pac is Posh Pac. I think he’s just the bestest.
Now comes the part where I link. In honor of the topic at hand and recent history I’ll be all Death Row/Bad Boy.
Death Row
Clearly the Pac/Mathan relationship is cemented. Baltimore/Las Vegas connection? Check. Overrated? Super check.
Aaron would have to be Dre. He’s all about business. I guess that would make Nick Warren G. Anyway, Nick good look on that cd. It’s a banger.
Jeff is Snoop Doggy Dogg. While I don’t know his views on undercover cops, I’m pretty sure he’s a fan of doggystyle.
Gloomchen guess would have to be Michel’le.
Trevor would be Danny Boy, remember him? (Either one.)
Tom D and Elliot make up the Dogg Pound.
And this is kind of like the Death Row Christmas Album.
Bad Boy
MSD’s column served as the impetus for this one so he’s kind of like Biggie.
Phil is obviously Jadakiss and you should know why. (snicker)
Joe is Black Rob, not only is like whoa, but I hear he’s got a mean toe game.
Tayo is like Ma$e. So does that make Rayo Mase Muder?
Jim would have to be Craig Mack, because he slayed me with his first impression.
Five Other Columns This One Could Have Been
1. In Defense of Sampling (in light of recent events, it’ll probably appear next week)
2. A Case For Nas
3. 1993-94 – Hip Hop’s Golden Age
4. Mathan Defined, Through R. Kelly Songs
5. Sensitive Ass Mathan Pours His Heart Out To A Girl Through Songs
Five Favorite Tracks on Nick’s Mix.
1. Nas – “Thief’s Theme”
2. Kanye West feat. Ma$e – “Jesus Walks Rmx”
3. Redman feat Big Pun, Tupac, Big L and Biggie- “I See Dead People”
4. Common feat Kanye West – “Food”
5. Jay-Z – “Ignorant Sh!t”
