i don’t know if people can even begin to recognize the lyrical genius behind tupac shakur’s words. to most of the public, he was known as a violent, rowdy rap artist who had time and time again gotten into trouble and who would never hold back on the obscenities in front of the press. but behind the exterior of a tough, street-wise, black man was a caring individual, lost in the torment of a troubled past and the unexpected drawing of a bright future cut short.

as a sensitive child growing up in brooklyn, tupac struggled with school and found sanctuary in the art of theatre and later even ballet. this is where he began to express himself through artistic means. he later moved to california where he initiated his now high-profile life of drug-trafficking and crime sprees. but even after all of this, tupac managed to pull himself out of the gutter and began to write poetry and music, which later extended into his role in the misunderstood music form of rap. tupac’s albums were a success throughout the 90s and he appeared in movies, such as poetic justice alongside fellow pop culture icon janet jackson. however, even during all of his success, tupac still found himself getting into trouble with the law. he was arrested on several occasions and could be seen acting defiant in courts as he pranced around jovially in dangling hand-cuffs and foot shackles.

tupac shakur was definitely a misunderstood artist to many in my eyes. although he is claimed as an icon to many rap-savvy teens, one must look behind the ghetto-fabulous trend of it all and really take in the words of a dying man, dying even before he was shot by an unknown assailant in a black Cadillac. tupac shakur’s words shine through even to this day. he was a complex individual, difficult to relate to but also easy once you look past the facade of crime and harshness. he was intelligent but foolish, earnest but deviant. rap may still be considered a vulgar type of music even fifty years from now, but tupac shakur created great poetry. the term rap will never come close to justifying his lifetime of invaluable lyrics and rhymes.