Tupac Amaru Shakur

"All I hope is that we never forget what Tupac always knew;
Pursue your goals with a passion and never let life slow you down."

-- Afeni Shakur

"I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world."

-- Tupac

Did you know that Tupac Amaru was named after an Inca Chief? It's meaning is shining serpent. Visit 2Pac Legacy for even more information about our favorite artist, Tupac Shakur.

2Pac Legacy is the official 2Pac site, providing you with the latest news and album updates.

Although Tupac is no longer with us, he is very much alive in spirit and in his music. Tupac was recently named by Forbes Magazine as one of the top grossing celebrities who are no longer physically alive. "Until The End of Time" was the top grossing Hip-Hop Album of 2001 and helped secure Tupac as the top selling Hip-Hop artist (dead or alive) ever with over $38 million records sold to date.

Although no longer physically here, Tupac's spirit continues to soar among the stars.

The mission of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation for the Arts is to provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents. Each and every child desires freedom to creatively express themselves. We provide an environment that encourages freedom of expression, serves as a resource for families, and empowers via education.

Founded in 1997 by Afeni Shakur, mother of the multi-talented Tupac Shakur, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) originally began as the Shakur Family Foundation. Afeni formed the Foundation as a way to bring quality arts training to our young people. A broad range of training is offered via the Annual Performing Arts Day Camp held at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (home of the Foundation). Disciplines include creative writing, vocal technique, acting, stage set design, dance, poetry & spoken word, and the business of entertainment. The Performing Arts Day Camp is open to students ages 12-18.

'Tupac: Resurrection' is a documentary film; the film did not make 100 million dollars at the box office, nor did it even make 10 million dollars. However, this is one of the finest films released in 2003, and the film was also nominated for Oscar. I know that many people are not too crazy about rap, and I'm afraid that not every one of those who are not too crazy about rap would like the film simply because the film is after all about a rapper Tupac; however, I'd risk saying that many of those who are not too crazy about rap would like the film.

Rap is often viewed as a voice of those who are repressed, and it does not express hope or desire to achieve; however, rap in 'Tupac: Resurrection' is very upbeat and it gives the audience sense of hope and power. Rap in 'Tupac: Resurrection' is uplifting. One of themes often heard in many rap songs is that African Americans have been repressed since the beginning of the history of the United States and they have been trapped in the society; they are less privileged and they have hard time establishing themselves legitimately in the society. There is a certain truth in the theme, but this is probably one of reasons why many people are not too crazy about rap; there is really no sense of hope; it is not uplifting. But 'Tupac: Resurrection' gives us a good overview of what Tupac was trying to express and where he was coming from; the background information makes us appreciate his rap, and it also makes his rap upbeat rather than depressing or hopeless; furthermore, it allows us to enjoy the music in the film, even if you are not a big rap fan.

The film also can be seen as a brief overview of the history of the United States. I must say that the film has a rather biased view, but it is a view that you do not get to learn in schools or read in (major) newspapers. The film briefly touches on Black Panthers. The film also briefly touches on how some of Black Panthers lived and died. Life of Tupac is similar to many of Americans' lives (though it may not be like lives of the majority of African Americans). It touches on pop culture in late 80s and 90s. This alternative view of the history of the United States is rather educational and this adds value to the documentary film 'Tupac: Resurrection'.

One of the most compelling parts of the film to me (to not-a-major-rap-fan) is that the film gives value to lives of those who are underprovided, oppressed and exploited. The film actually shows only a small group of underprivileged, oppressed and exploited, i.e., African Americans who were born and brought up in depressing neighborhoods; however, the fact that the film attempts to show the world of underprivileged, oppressed and exploited makes the story compelling and moving.

A lot more can be said about the film, but I say just one more thing. This is a very enjoyable film; it is a great entertainment. A minority group of non-rap fans may not enjoy the film just because they simply cannot accept rap; otherwise, the film is great fun.

J. Watanabe is the owner of the movie discussion forum Yet Another Movie Critique Website Forum. The forum is a part of Yet Another Movie Critique Website movie portal.

"We gotta make a change...

It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.

Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live

and let's change the way we treat each other.

You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do

what we gotta do, to survive." -Tupac

The late Tupac Shakur, the most celebrated rapper in history of Hip-Hop, was speaking to society as a whole on his inspirational song, Changes. Released after his untimely death, "Changes" is about a young black man who goes through an emotional rollercoaster, expressing everything from bitterness to hope over both his life and of society in general. Tupac challenges us all to change our ways and to treat one another with love and respect.

Within his music, one can tell that Tupac longed for changes in his own life. He was a man of contradictions. He would rhyme about violence and rhyme about peace, sometimes, all in the same song. But as the chorus in the song Changes says, "that's just the way it is". No one is totally consistent in the way they live and how they think. And Tupac was no different.

"I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere

unless we share with each other

We gotta start makin' changes

learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers

and that's how it's supposed to be..."

How can we be inspired by Tupac's "Changes"?

With all of the turmoil in society, each one of us can embrace change for the better and make a difference in the lives of others.
Ultimately, that's what Tupac wanted to do; make the world a better place by exposing the harsh realities of life while instilling in the youth hope for the future.

Duane L Lawton is a freelance writer and publisher of "The Rhyme Report", a series of reports that explores the song lyrics of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs. Visit http://DuaneLawton.com

Enter Tupac Fans, the site created by and for the fans of Tupac Shakur and online since 1997. We are not in any way affiliated with the Estate of Tupac Shakur. Be assured you will always receive the pure, unbiased news and information you crave about Tupac, the Outlawz and the rap scene.

Now Available from TupacFans.com: 10 Complimentary 2Pac Ringtones.

Latest news from TupacFans.com:

"Tupac's screenplay being produced as a feature film

"Live 2 Tell," a script he wrote in 1995 about an inner-city black youth who becomes a drug kingpin and later goes straight, was acquired by Insomnia Media Group, which plans to begin production next March, company Chairman Bret Saxon and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bowler said Tuesday. Insomnia acquired the rights from Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, who will be a producer on the film, which has not yet been cast." Read more ...

TupacFans.com is packed full of information about Tupac. Everything from his biography, music, films, poetry, facts, the shootings, and much more!

Ghetto Gospel Lyrics

Uh..
Hit 'em with a little ghetto gospel

[Chorus: Elton John]
Those who wish to follow me (My ghetto gospel)
I welcome with my hands
and the red sun sinks at last
into the hills of gold
And peace to this young warrior
Without the sound of guns

[Verse 1]
If I could recollect before my hood days
I'd sit and reminisce thinkin of bliss of the good days
I stop and stare at the younger my heart goes to 'em
They test, it was stress that they under
And nowadays things changed
Everyone's ashamed of the youth, cuz the truth look strange
And for me it's reversed, we left them a world that's cursed and it hurts
Cuz any day they'll push the button
And all good men like Malcolm X and Bobby Hutton died for nottin
don't it make you get teary , the world looks dreary
When you wipe your eyes see it clearly
There's no need for you to fear me
If you take your time to hear me, maybe you can learn to cheer me
It ain't about black or white, cuz we're human
I hope we see the light before it's ruined
My Ghetto Gospel

[Chorus]
Those who wish to follow me (Ghetto gospel)
I welcome with my hands
and the red sun sinks at last
into the hills of gold
And peace to this young warrior
Without the sound of guns

[Verse 2]
Tell me do you see that old lady, ain't it sad?
Livin outta bags, but she's glad for the little things she has
And over there there's a lady
Crack got her crazy, guess who's givin birth to a baby
I don't trip and let it fade me
From outta the frying pan we jumpin to another form of slavery
Even now I get discouraged
Wonder if they take it all back, will I still keep the courage?
I refuse to be a role model
I set goals, take control, drink out my own bottles
I make mistakes but learn from every one
And when it's said and done
I bet this brotha be a better one
If I upset you dont stress
Never forget, that God hasn't finished with me yet
I feel his hand on my brain
When I write rhymes I go blind and let the Lord do his thang
But im less holy?
Cuz I took a puff of blunt and drink a beer with my homies
Before we find world peace
We gotta find peace and end the war on the streets
My Ghetto Gospel

[Chorus]
Those who wish to follow me (Yea, ghetto gospel)
I welcome with my hands
and the red sun sinks at last
into the hills of gold
And peace to this young warrior
Without the sounds of guns

Lord can you hear me speak?

I pay the price of being hell bound!

2Pac Online is another great Web site packed full of everything present and past about Tupac Shakur.

If you are looking for Tupac's poetry, then this is the place to find it.

Tupac Shakur Poetry

Here is just one poem from the Website. You'll have to visit the Website for more. It's worth the visit!

Ambition Over Adversity
Take one's adversity
Learn from their misfortune
Learn from their pain
Believe in something
Believe in yourself
Turn adversity into ambition
Now blossom into wealth

You will also find the latest news about new music releases.

2Pac Online

Makaveli Branded was conceived by Afeni Shakur seven years after the death of Tupac Shakur.

Why Makaveli Branded? To keep the Tupac Legacy Alive through fashion! Proceeds go to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and Center for the Arts.




Makaveli Branded - California (White) - Men's
Keep it rockin' with the all leather or leather patent upper. Tupac with mic on inside and outer quarter lay. Classic Tupac pic on toe box. From the Bay Area and back down the rubber outsole will stay fresh.




Makaveli Branded - Lowrider (Black) - Men's

It's time to cruise in the Lowrider!; Leather upper. Perf toe for style and comfort. Streamline hook-and-loop strap. Tupac color printed picture on quarter lay. Features the Makaveli Branded logo on the strap, tongue, midsole and back heel of shoes. Padded collar and tongue. Textile lining. Removable insole. 360 degree stitch construction. Durable rubber outsole.




Makaveli Branded - Rollin (White/Royal Patent) - Men's


Roll with the homies and be the envy of them) with these kicks. Combination smooth and patent leather upper. Perf toe for style and comfort. Padded collar and tongue. Tupac grayscale picture on quarter lay. Removable insole. Features the Makaveli Branded logo on the tongue, midsole and back heel of shoes. 360 degree stitch construction. Durable rubber outsole.




Makaveli Branded - Old School (Red Patent) - Men's


Bring it back to the Old School. Combined leather and patent upper. Tupac grayscale picture on quarter lay. Durable rubber outsole. Perforated toe box for breathability. Hook and loop closure.