I just saw a TV show about Tupac that basically said he was a model for young blacks. This is not the first time I have heard Tupac built up as some kind of visionary leader. I am sorry but isn’t the same guy who glorified violence, drug use, and greed. And let’s not forget he was convicted of rape. Yeah this guy was some kind of hero. Can someone explain why this guy is being built up as a hero? Sure maybe the guy of a little more thoughtful than the average rap star, but he still was no hero. Who cares that he read the great novels. If we found out Saddam loved Mark Twain does that make him a better person? The way I see it Tupac was a negative influence on the world, not a hero.
People have a habit of not speaking ill of the recently dead for whatever reason. Perhaps it is because the recently dead aren’t capable of defending themselves from attack? I remember when Mao died not to long ago all I heard on TV were all the great things he had done for China but almost no mention of his brutality.
Marc
Oh, that Tupac.
Tupac Amaru, now that was a hero.
Call it “the JFK Effect.”
But Tupac was considered some kind of prophet before he even died.
Somebody once said dying young was a good career move.
I had dismissed him as just another rapper with a life full of violence. But a number of poets I respect have praised him as an exceptionally good poet/musician who never got a chance to bring his style to maturity, so I may take a closer look at his music.
Mao died in 1976, although his body is still on public display. :o
I’m not a big Tupac fan, but the dichotomy between his violence and his hope was what made him fascinating, and what helped insipred the love some people have for him. However, the good things someone did should not be entirely dismissed because of their bad actions. They can be judged independently, and many people believe Tupac had a lot of inspiring things to say about black culture and life. This does not mean he didn’t do some bad things, nor does it excuse the bad things. People are not all good or all bad.
Maybe MGibson meant Deng Xiaoping, who died more recently ('97)?
Hydro, do you actually know any of Tupac’s music? I really don’t either, I’m just asking on what you base the “glorified violence” and drug use and stuff. Quote me some lyrics or support it or something.