 Three years ago to this day 2Pac Amaru Shakur passed away in an untimely death. He died as a result of gun shot wounds he received several days prior while enroute to an after party for a Mike Tyson fight. It is no secret that Pac left behind a legion of fans who were touched by his words and music. He also left behind a trunk load of songs, many of which have been released as bootlegs. Three years ago when Pac died, I recall brothers breaking down in tears in the middle of the street. Many felt that Pac represented their struggles, pain, trials and tribulations. He spoke to their mindset and hence with his death they lost much more then just a rap artist. Many felt they lost an important part of themselves. Many people spoke about how 2Pac inspired them and how his music helped them cope with the day to day struggles they faced in their own lives. Last night we paid tribute to 2Pac with a special radio show on 106 KMEL. The question that was asked. 'How have folks taken their heartfelt admiration for 2Pac and incorporated in their lives today'? Was Pac's untimely death something that was in vain? How have people truly honored him? Money B of Digital Underground was one of Pac's closest friends. Last night, he spoke passionately about how Pac was the type of individual who always remained focused. He talked about how Pac pretty much had stepped up and accomplished everything he set out to do including making movies and touching people. Money recalled how Pac came as an uninvited guest to the auditions to the movie 'Juice'. Money was invited to read for a part. Pac tagged along and when he got there Money suggested that Pac read for the part of Bishop. The rest is history.He also spoke about how Pac wanted very much to live on to see his all his dreams fulfilled. Pac often felt that he would not live very long. Money B spoke passionately about how so many people have disrespected 2Pac by tarnishing his memory with insincere tributes, songs and faulty positioning. He talked about how certain rappers within the industry have gone so far as to publicly talk about how 2Pac was 'their homie' when they in fact they had never even knew him. He talked about how others have invoked Pac's name and imagery in songs, videos and interviews after they set off major beefs with him. 'I have to question how sincere people are when they talk about 2Pac in some of these songs', Money said. 'By bringing up Pac's name in songs and interviews are they attempting to mend fences or attempting to capture West Coast record sales'? This was a question Money B raised in a song he put on his new album. Money talked about how one unnamed rapper had build a career around memorializing and emulating 2Pac when he knew for a fact that when Pac was around the two never crossed paths and he totally hated this rapper's music. 'If your really down for Pac and are all about showing respect.. don't keep all the money write his momma a check'. This was another stinging line that Money dropped in his new song. Money also pointed out how numerous individuals who hardly knew Pac were now attempting to cash in by releasing out dated songs writing 'tell all books'. He concluded by noting that many within the Digital Underground camp are working closely with 2Pac's mother Afeni, and grass root organizations including former Black Panthers within the Bay Area to put together a 2Pac Youth Conference. The event is scheduled to take place in December and it will be in step with what Pac wanted. No matter what people thought, or read about the brother, he always wanted to reach back into the hood and help pull others up. In fact when he was alive he help set up an after school program and writers workshop which continues on to this day. It had and continues to have the support of numerous Bay Area rap artist like Mac Mall, Ray Luv, Chaunce, Mr Ill and Khayree to name a few. Now headed by his first manager Leila Steinberg, the program over the past few years had been extended to numerous Bay Area High Schools where artist would put together assemblies in which they spoke to kids about ways to resolve problems. Students are often rewarded with impromptu free performances. Leila Steinberg who was also on the show last night talked about the types of programs and cirriculum that is being developed around 2Pac. She talked about the success of a college course that was taught at UC Berkeley. There students studied 2Pac's writing and the social settings around Pac's music. The course was very intense and founded by a grad student named Arman Elihu. This year the class will be taught at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Remember Baltimore was home to Pac in his early years. In fact he went to school with actress Jada Pinkett when he lived in Baltimore. There's a strong possibility the 2Pac will class will also be taught at UCLA and USC in southern California. The other thing to look out for will be the release of a book called 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete'. This is not only the title of a poem but also a metaphor that 2Pac often used to describe his life. The book which will drop on November 8th, will contain much of the poetry that 2Pac wrote during the writer's workshops he help start. If you ever read any of Pac's poems, they are absolutely incredible. In fact many of them are deeper then the lyrics to his songs. Early on, I was given permission to put up some of those poems on my website http://www.daveyd.com. When Leila went to teach the 2Pac workshop in South Africa, she came across kids who were wearing t-shirts with some of the poems written on the back. In addition to the book, an album entitled 'And Still I Rise' will also be coming out under Amuru Records. Bear in mind there are still a number of unreleased 2Pac songs that have not been bootlegged. One song that is off the hook and will really get folks thinking is a track called 'Why The Good Die Young'. The title track which has been bootlegged has been redone and reproduced. That too is off the hook. The album will also drop in November. Lastly, Money B and Leila spoke to the issue of Pac's death and all the theories about him being alive. Both noted that it really is time for folks to let go and move on. 'Everyday people come up to me and tell me to tell Pac's what's up?, Money noted. 'Trust me he's gone..as long as we talk about Pac and continue to be inspired, he'll be alive in our hearts, he added. Leila concurred by talking about the pain that 2Pac's mother and family feel over his death. 'His death his not something to play with.. it's still the source of a lot of pain', she noted. The show ended with Money B talking about how he regrets not ever telling Pac how proud he was of him 'making it'.. He noted that no one is promise tomorrow, and therefore people should take time out today to tell the people they love and care about, how much you live them. We'll keep everyone abreast of the upcoming 2Pac events and happenings.
|