Are we missing another 2pac?

[Ferbian]

Now I'm a big fan of Eminem, he is a lyrical genius in my own opinion.
But so was Tupac Shakur a.k.a 2pac, and that is what this thread is about, the lyrical genius that 2pac was, and the influence he made.

throughout Pac's career, he adressed alot of the environmental problems, the problems in the "hood" (Yes I am white, and no I don't wanna come off judgemental and racial by refering to it as the "hood" please go ahead and correct me with a better word that you may find less offending, in case you do find it offending, again, it's not my intention come off as racial) and problems with the police, problems with the government and people getting shot on the street.
He adressed things that should be done something about by politics through incredible lyrics.

songs specifically I would say made a huge impact on me through his lyrics and influenzed me would be songs such as "Brenda's got a baby", "Keep ya head up" and "Dear mama"

2pac also had other sides, often his lyrics about the thought of death and ressurection, which would point to the fact that 2pac was also very religious in his lyrics, meaning he was very wide spread, also with the ability to throw out one hell of a "diss song" such as "hit 'em up"

It's quite obvious 2pac influenzed alot of people, and might have influenced more than just rappers, but also people around in the average environment.

The only one I feel actually ever got close to influenting the environment properly would be Eminem, with his songs such as "Mosh" and "White America" atleast when it came to adressing the political part of America.

And even thou I believe Eminem was one of the only ones to come close, I won't deny that there's been others to give it a shot and have their way of influencing, but in truth, the current scene, and the past years has been very dominated by the common "gangstah rap" about cash, cars, money and females.

So I ask, does the musical world need another 2pac? someone who can influence the world in numerous different ways?
Or is the musical world just fine without another influential "voice of reason"?

 

[Ty Burna]

Now I'm a big fan of Eminem, he is a lyrical genius in my own opinion.
But so was Tupac Shakur a.k.a 2pac, and that is what this thread is about, the lyrical genius that 2pac was, and the influence he made.

throughout Pac's career, he adressed alot of the environmental problems, the problems in the "hood" (Yes I am white, and no I don't wanna come off judgemental and racial by refering to it as the "hood" please go ahead and correct me with a better word that you may find less offending, in case you do find it offending, again, it's not my intention come off as racial) and problems with the police, problems with the government and people getting shot on the street.
He adressed things that should be done something about by politics through incredible lyrics.

songs specifically I would say made a huge impact on me through his lyrics and influenzed me would be songs such as "Brenda's got a baby", "Keep ya head up" and "Dear mama"

2pac also had other sides, often his lyrics about the thought of death and ressurection, which would point to the fact that 2pac was also very religious in his lyrics, meaning he was very wide spread, also with the ability to throw out one hell of a "diss song" such as "hit 'em up"

It's quite obvious 2pac influenzed alot of people, and might have influenced more than just rappers, but also people around in the average environment.

The only one I feel actually ever got close to influenting the environment properly would be Eminem, with his songs such as "Mosh" and "White America" atleast when it came to adressing the political part of America.

And even thou I believe Eminem was one of the only ones to come close, I won't deny that there's been others to give it a shot and have their way of influencing, but in truth, the current scene, and the past years has been very dominated by the common "gangstah rap" about cash, cars, money and females.

So I ask, does the musical world need another 2pac? someone who can influence the world in numerous different ways?
Or is the musical world just fine without another influential "voice of reason"?

See here's the thing, 2pac was nowhere near the first political activist in hip hop, hell look at Public Enemy just for one example that influenced a lot of people. The difference is is that 2pac was a far better rapper and lyricist than artists like Public Enemy were. Because 2pac also talked about cars cash etc as well as his political and social stances, he probably got more attention and far more publicity than a group like Public Enemy who were seen as simply rebellious types.

As far as Eminem trying to be 2pac? No man, I'm sorry but just no. Eminem had a few rebellious/semi political songs on one album that really was just used to feed off the dislike of Bush and the wars going on. Once that died down he hasn't made anything similar to that since that point. Now he just makes club hits so you can't compare 3 or 4 Eminem semi political songs that were more about outrage to 2pac's entire catalog that spoke about making changes to the system and not just being angry at it. There's no comparison.

2pac had the ability to spread his message and his music because back in the early 90's he had connections to Death Row via Snoop Dogg and was able to get a deal that way. If he were to try and come up in today's music industry, they would probably dismiss him because he doesn't do ridiculous dances or rap about parties and innuendos for the kiddies. Sure he made music about partying and having fun, but his original start was with the likes of Digital Underground where it started out as a major political/social activist hip hop group, very similar to Public Enemy. In today's hip hop, he would get major attention and probably be known as one of the greatest underground rappers, but would not get the mainstream love he did back in the 90's.

So your question is, do we need another 2pac? The better question would be would another 2pac even be allowed to thrive in today's music? I doubt it, I mean you already have someone like Immortal Technique who's core content of his music is social and political activism as well as telling stories from the streets, very similar to how 2pac did it. However Immortal Technique is not as high of caliber that 2pac was, and Immortal has generally been underground and only really known by hardcore hip hop fans. The truth is that 2pac was a one of a kind unique individual, not to mention a special rapper. No one will ever come close to 2pac's level, and in reality it's futile in trying to compare current artists to him or even say that in the future we could have someone like Pac again. It won't happen, so the best way is to keep listening to 2pac and if you like his message that he has in his music, to carry it with you and to keep it alive through his music.

We don't need another 2pac, we just need to remember his message and the music he created.

 

[Trance Metaphor]

There are plenty of rappers that address subject matter relevant to those of 2Pac's. It's just that they're overshadowed or mentioned less than they should be due to people reveling in Pac's iconic status. Dead Prez and The Coup are groups that are heavily-encased in political issues. Krs-One has also constantly dropped political/social knowledge.

 

[Ferbian]

See here's the thing, 2pac was nowhere near the first political activist in hip hop, hell look at Public Enemy just for one example that influenced a lot of people.

Good to know, actually I must admit I never took my time to listen to Public Enemy, unless you would be refering to the song by Eminem on the "Eminem represents the Re-up" album
But as you also mentioned, 2pac was a better lyrical person, which might also mean he got through to more people because of his mainstream success.

As far as Eminem trying to be 2pac? No man, I'm sorry but just no.

I wasn't trying to say Eminem was being a 2nd 2pac, I was saying he does some of the things that 2pac did, the obvious "attack" at the political society of America, that, and being a lyrical gifted person is the only place I would ever go as far as to compare Eminem and 2pac. 2pac was way more political than Eminem, where as Eminem is very story based if you ask me, with all the tales of his own life.

We don't need another 2pac, we just need to remember his message and the music he created.

True, but at some point, 2pac's message might sadly go as far as to become forgotten, atleast by the mainstream audience who probably doesn't know the true origin of Rap and Hip Hop, or who might never even become exposed to it depending on the period of birth (because I wouldn't go as far as to blame a kid born 200 years into the future for not remembering the origin of Hip Hop, or for that sake even remembering 2pac or Eminem, or anyone of current fame).

 

[Ty Burna]

Good to know, actually I must admit I never took my time to listen to Public Enemy, unless you would be refering to the song by Eminem on the "Eminem represents the Re-up" album
But as you also mentioned, 2pac was a better lyrical person, which might also mean he got through to more people because of his mainstream success

.

Nah I actually mean the actual group Public Enemy. I would definitely check them out as they had a lot of political messages in their music. Great group but you do have to stomach Flavor Flav as the hype man. Back in the day though he could bust out a flow every now and again.

I wasn't trying to say Eminem was being a 2nd 2pac, I was saying he does some of the things that 2pac did, the obvious "attack" at the political society of America, that, and being a lyrical gifted person is the only place I would ever go as far as to compare Eminem and 2pac. 2pac was way more political than Eminem, where as Eminem is very story based if you ask me, with all the tales of his own life.

No I understand man it's all good. But 2pac did far more than just attack political society like I said. He spoke about specific problems that he's seen personally and how that affected him and other people. He gave a face and a name to a problem rather than just saying it's the government's fault. He did have songs talking about governmental issues, but didn't simply attack them like Eminem did. 2pac was also very story based as well, and yes Eminem is story based. Well his older shit was anyways.

True, but at some point, 2pac's message might sadly go as far as to become forgotten, atleast by the mainstream audience who probably doesn't know the true origin of Rap and Hip Hop, or who might never even become exposed to it depending on the period of birth (because I wouldn't go as far as to blame a kid born 200 years into the future for not remembering the origin of Hip Hop, or for that sake even remembering 2pac or Eminem, or anyone of current fame).

Shit 2pac is already being forgotten. For an example I was talking to some young kid a number of years ago and asking him who he listened to and he was naming off every popular rapper that was out there. I looked at him and asked if he ever listened to 2pac or Biggie or Eazy E or even NWA and he said he's never really listened to them. To me that was slightly depressing, that artists I grew up listening to are being pushed aside by nothing but glitz and flash rappers with no substance. So would a kid even bother listening to a new 2pac if you will? Probably not, most of these young cats who listen to hip hop only care about if it's a party song or not anymore. Hip hop has evolved/devolved to a different style and 2pac's style is no longer relevant to mainstream success. It's inevitable really, maybe there will be someone like 2pac that comes into the game in the future, but I doubt he'll have near the success or the influence pac himself had which would dampen the impact that person would have.