Happy Birthday Tupac!!

Tupac Shakur would be 40 today!

(June 16, 1971 - September 13, 1996)

(that smile melts my heart)

Words can't describe how much this man influenced not only Hip Hop but my life. Tupac Amaru Shakur was a rapper, lyricist, poet, actor, activist, and revolutionary. Although the 1980s get all the praise, I believe the 90s were some of the best years in terms of entertainment. Since I grew up in the 90s, I'm an expert ;) When it comes to music Tupac or 2pac was definitely the one to listen to...unless you fell into the pointless Eastcoast vs Westcoast beef. WAKE UP...its ok to like BOTH Tupac and Biggie!

His music had a way to speak to you. Although he spoke of the streets, people from all walks of life (including me from the suburbs) could easily relate to his songs. He offered a voice to Black youth...scratch that Black people in general. It's honestly a breath of fresh air when an artists comes out speaking of more than drugs, sex and violence. Not to say that Tupac didn't speak of these things, but he also spoke of poverty, unity, overcoming obstacles, pure love for women...especially his mom, and much more.

Feel Good Music...

California Love: This song still gets me hype to this day. Summer time is the perfect time to blast this song through your speakers. It made you wish you were from Cali. One of the many hot records produced after joining Death Row Records.

I Get Around: It was no lie that Tupac knew how to have a good time. His smile made him so loveable and his personality surpassed the bit of negativity that surrounded him. This was his plea to women letting them know monogamy is a foreign word to him...lol.

Everthing's going to be ok...

Keep Ya Head Up: a woman's anthem.period

Until the End of Time: Staying true to yourself

Changes: Hip Hop meets Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". There was and still is so much cruelty and hatred in the world...something needs to change. He understood the Black struggle and wanted to lend a voice, saying everything will soon get better.

There are so many beautiful, wonderful, feel-good songs this man has created...the list goes on and on.

I would love to have just one conversation with him. It would probably last for hours because this man is so deep and in tune with the world around him.

Rest in Peace...and again HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

p.s who ever this is claiming to have shot Tupac is an asshole