Tupac Shakur

My brother introduced me to Tupac Shakur’s music a few years ago. The first time I ever listened to his music I fell in love with the lyrics of his life. Although Tupac being one of the most successful rappers today, it had nothing to do with why I started listening to his music. Most of his songs are about growing up around violence and other problems with the society. Shakur’s mother had a huge impact on his life, and it was because of her that he did some of the things he did. My passion for music influences my life and the way I live it. Shakurs music had a huge impact on my life with the very first song I ever listened to.

I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you backBut the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

Shakur’s lyrics had an impact on my life. I live my life the way I choose to, and people who are passionate about what they love to do influences me. I love to hear someone tell me that they love their career because they are passionate about what they do. I wish to do the same with my future and when I hear of people making their life successful by doing what they love, it makes me want to do the same with my life. Shaku’rs lyrics showed me that he came from a hard place and could make it to the big league. Even though I may not have the money for college or a family who will just hand me money, I’m still more passionate about going to college than most kids who know they already have the money for college. I plan of making something of myself and living with it for the rest of my life and that’s exactly what Tupac Shakur did.

Shakur’s lyrics about his life influenced many teens and adults. His lyrics of his life showed everyone that you can make it through hard times if you work harder. Shakur showed many young people that they you could turn your life around. Although Shakur came from a hard place he proved to everyone that he could make it in this world of dictators, violence and hatred. Doing so, he became one of the best known rappers ever.

When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules

These lyrics are the first verse to the first song I ever listened to by Tupac Shakur. These lyrics are the lyrics that made me fall in love with the music that Shakur made. As you can see, these lyrics are lyrics of his live and the way he lived it. I’m sure many kids have gone through the exact same thing that Shakur is expressing in this song “Dear Mama.” This song shows that Shakur had a rough childhood but over came that and moved on with his life to become a successful rapper.

Perhaps I was addicted to the dark side
Somewhere inside my childhood I missed my heart die
And even though we both came from the same places
The money and the fame made us all change places
How could it be through the misery that came to pass
The hard times make a true friend afraid to ask, for currency
But you could run to me when you need me,
I'll never leave I just needed someone to believe in, as you can see

To preserve Shakur's legacy, his mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation (later re-named the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation or TASF) in 1997. The TASF's stated mission is to "provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents." The foundation also sponsors essay contests, charity events, a Performing Arts day camp for teens and undergraduate scholarships. The foundation lead to the opening of Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 2005. TASCA is a center to help students who are currently struggling with school but have a passion for music and wish to turn their passion into their career. The foundation is a way to help students go from “low life” to “the life.”

Shakur’s legacy lives on today just as strong as the day he walked into the rap scene. Many teens and adult admire the struggle Shakur went through to be successful. Being so passionate about music was Shakurs main reason for sticking with it. I believe if everyone today puts their busy life on hold and sit back and realize what they really love to do, many people will realize that they could have made a career out of what they love to do rather than doing something “just for the money.” Shakur influenced me many ways from the lyrics in his songs to his autobiography. I’m going to live my life the way I want to live it.