Tracks like the “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” “Changes,” and “White Mans World” are songs that educate and speak to things we could do to change society in positive ways. Tupac was using his music to teach, uplift and galvanize people – particularly those in his communities.

Tupac’s emotion is also tied to the fact that he was a natural-born leader, and this showed in his music. The hard records are great, but it’s the heart-wrenching records about losing close friends and the stress of street life mixed with the pressures of fame that his most die-hard of fans identify with. “Dear Mama,” ‘Pour Out A Little Liquor,” “Lord Knows,” and “Life Goes On” find Pac rapping like a soul/blues singer in rappers body. When Pac wasn’t boisterously seething, he was often mourning and pouring his heart out on tracks. His rage on the mic is the stuff of legend – from records like the raucous “Can’t C Me” to the guns blazing “Hit em up.” His ability to be flat out brazen while still being somewhat charming created for the most fun rebellious music you’ll hear. Regardless of what he was rapping about you always felt him.

Tupac’s black panther upbringing from his mom Afeni and stepfather Mutulu, prolific reading, and life experiences in NY, Baltimore, Marin City, Oakland and L.A all aided his ability to touch various issues in a way that felt like it was coming from someone much older than their early- to mid-20′s.Īside from Tupac’s range and depth his passion is probably his biggest skill. From your mom to the hardest gang banger there’s a Tupac song that speaks to most people. This range of topics cast a wide net for the public to gravitate to. Tupac hit it from all angles from the knowledge droppers like “ Words of Wisdom” to the brazenly nihilistic “ Troublesome 96′”. Tupac rapped about it all with a sense of depth and breadth of knowledge in a way that was on the level of the communities he was rapping to. Tupac spoke truth to power about always relevant, broad issues (he could also spit about frivolous fun times). Teen pregnancy, poverty, drug addiction, women’s rights, equal rights, politics, single parenthood, death, revenge, betrayal, misogyny, and the streets are just a few of the topics Pac touched on. Tupac had one of the widest ranges of lyrical content. In this piece, I’m going to dig into his music and why he was able to have the impact and influence he did in the short five years he had in the public eye. Tupac is not only seen as one of the greatest rappers ever but is often considered the most influential rapper ever. In an interview conducted in jail back in 1995, he stated “ Nothing can stop me, but death itself and even then my music will live forever” and that it has. “A legend in my own rhymes, so they whisper when they mention Makaveli,” “Lace-em with lyrics that’s legendary musical mercenary,” Pac said on tracks “Tradin War Stories” and “Ambitionz Az A Ridah” respectively.

As perceptive as he was of the high-risk lifestyle he lived Pac was equally as self-aware that he was a living legend. Hauntingly enough, Tupac Shakur died as he thought he would – young and to gun violence. The Impact and Influence of Tupac Shakur 20 Years LaterĢ0 Years ago, September 13, 1996, the world’s biggest and brightest rapper passed away due to complications from gunshot wounds he had sustained six days prior.

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