19 years ago today, the world lost one of the greatest musicians it has ever seen. Tupac Shakur was shot dead by people who were pinched by his true words. Even after two decades, the words and works of Tupac live among us. His music still touches us, moves us and inspires us. And that was his one and only dream.
Kendrick Lamar is undoubtedly one of the better fans of Tupac and a great admirer of his music. So on this 19th anniversary, Kendrick penned some words in homage to his figurehead.
I was 8 yrs old when I first saw you. I couldn’t describe how I felt at that moment. So many emotions. Full of excitement. Full of joy and eagerness. 20 yrs later I understand exactly what that feeling was.
INSPIRED.
The people that you touched on that small intersection changed lives forever. I told myself I wanted to be a voice for man one day. Whoever knew I was speaking out loud for u to listen.
Thank you.
K.L.
In one of the popular interviews Tupac does, he says his only aim is to “spark the mind that changes the world.” Kendrick Lamar is certainly sparked up. His raw lyricism is definite proof of that.
Kendrick Lamar’s latest album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ is largely based on that spark. In the song “Mortal Man“, Kendrick Lamar re-creates a conversation he would have had with Tupac if he lived today.
The touch Tupac left on this world still resonates to-date. His struggle to create ‘equality’ in this world has largely become a reality. But still there are loopholes. ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ brings out them. Together, two generations of musicians have accomplished so much more than any other artist/s have done in the past decades. Their accolades don’t come in trophies-they come in lives!