Gone but never forgotten

“Out of anger comes controversy, out of controversy comes conversation, out of conversation comes action.” ― Tupac Shakur

Peace family.  I don't like talking about the day someone passed away because I prefer to celebrate their birth instead.  But earlier today I was reminded that it is Friday the 13th and it made me think about Tupac Amaru Shakur.  As controversial and polarizing as he could be, seventeen years after his death, he is still loved and deeply missed.

On the night of Friday, September 13, 1996, I was a young undergrad dancing the night away at a campus party when the DJ stopped the music.  He informed us that Tupac had been shot and asked for a moment of silence.  The music was eventually turned back on and some continued to party but dancing was, all of sudden, the last thing I wanted to do.

Now we can agree to disagree on the following but I feel that a considerable amount of Tupac's music is what I consider noise.  In my opinion, he was often too driven by the street definition of masculinity and supplied the world with murderous and misogynistic music.  However, he did have a vulnerable side and shared rhymes with us about spirituality, the politics of injustice, respect for womyn & children and his unyielding love for his mother. 

His mother, Afeni Shakur- a former Black Panther, is the reason why I love Tupac.  When she birthed him, she delivered in him a fiery soul and an aspiration to do the right thing. Through her example of freedom fighting and activism, I always felt that one day Tupac would completely abandon the machismo and lead a revolution in hip hop music. 

Don’t get me wrong, I know that Tupac was very much a leader and did, in fact, start a movement with Thug Life.  Unfortunately, the media mostly misunderstood it due to his image and his use of the word “thug”.  Yet, the Thug Life movement persisted and became powerful because it celebrated those who overcame obstacles to make their dreams come true.    

Nonetheless, that movement did not translate into the musical revolution that I still hope for to this very day.  This revolution would see a return to the days when hip hop music was predominately infused with songs about having a good time and those that called for social change. 

Remember the days when female emcees were hailed for their skills without being reduced solely to their sex appeal?  Remember the days when you could hear a rap song on the radio and not be completely disgusted when you heard the unedited version? 

I remember those days and I want to be a part of the group of artists that will usher higher standards back into the music. There are many of us out here making music for the thinking hip hop music consumer. But we go mostly unheard because the masses consume the noise.

I'm not saying get rid of the noise because there is obviously a large market for it. But I am asking that more air time be given to artists who are offering an alternative.  If you agree, there is something that you can to do help and it will not require much of your time.  

All you have to do is share.  When you hear good music that has positive lyrics, celebrates diversity and fights the power take action by telling your friends about it and post it on social media sites.  I believe this will help manifest the revolution that I saw brewing in Tupac’s spirit.  That spirit lives on in me and so many others.  Gone but never forgotten.  Rest in peace Tupac.