Most Influential: Tupac Shakur or Jim Morrison?

[Spidey Revivey]

Both men surprisingly died at a young age in their prime..

Both men are rumored to still be alive by their crazed fans..

Both have recieved praise the world over for their music, their onstage prescence, and their opposition to the police as well as their support of marijuana.

So I ask you this: given the little time both of them had in the spotlight, Which Artist Do You Think Has Been The Most Influencial? I mean which one has been more copied, more quoted, etc?

As for me, I pick Jim Morrison. Yes, Tupac's style is still heavily used in today's society, but I give it to "The Lizard King" because of all of the years that went into his legacy. I still know aged hipsters with posters of him on their walls, even after the 40+ years or so of his death. Not saying that won't happen for Tupac, I am just speaking for the many decades that Jim has on him.

Please feel to agree or disagree with me.

 

[Alex]

Interesting comparison, but it's Jim Morrison and its not even close. Whenever you see a film or tv show showing a rock star acting outragously, it will always come back to Jim Morrison, he started the rockstar sterotype of partying to much, drinking to much, taking lots of drugs and lots of sex, it was happening before him yes but he brought it to the forfront. Also the people that Morrison has influenced is far greater than Tupac. Iggy Pop, Eddie Vedder, Layne Staley, Scott Weiland, Scott Stapp and probably more were influenced by Morrison. And lets not forget John Morrison's gimmick is largely based off of Jim Morrison.

You could argue Jim Morrison's legacy has been around longer than Tupac and that might be a factor and it probably is, but to me its still Morrison.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Interesting comparison, but it's Jim Morrison and its not even close. Whenever you see a film or tv show showing a rock star acting outragously, it will always come back to Jim Morrison, he started the rockstar sterotype of partying to much, drinking to much, taking lots of drugs and lots of sex, it was happening before him yes but he brought it to the forfront. Also the people that Morrison has influenced is far greater than Tupac. Iggy Pop, Eddie Vedder, Layne Staley, Scott Weiland, Scott Stapp and probably more were influenced by Morrison. And lets not forget John Morrison's gimmick is largely based off of Jim Morrison.

You could argue Jim Morrison's legacy has been around longer than Tupac and that might be a factor and it probably is, but to me its still Morrison.

I have to agree with you. Morrison is the more influential, although Tupac is certainly one of the most influential rap artists of all time. However, I believe that in rap, NWA and Dr Dre are more influential.

Morrison is THE rock star stereotype, as Alex just mentioned. I have heard stories of him walking down the streets with other musicians and them all being handed random pills and drugs and putting them in their mouths. Round the corner the others would spit them out but Morrison would devour everything. He is what people think of when they think of a rock star. His image is iconic and instantly recognisable and the music of The Doors influenced several generations of musicians

 

[Post]

I'm going with Tupac. I do believe that Morrison has been hugely influential, copied, and imitated, and I don't want to take anything away from his legacy. But from what I see in the world, Tupac is larger.

Now, let me explain... I spend the majority of my time trying to teach grammar, literature, and writing to teenagers in a high school 2 miles from the city of Detroit. The hip hop culture continues to explode in this area and seems to be spreading quicker that bed bugs in NYC.

In my world, I see more Tupac than Morrison. I see Tupac in young people of every color, culture, and size.

I guess that it depends on where you live and who you interact with.

 

[LSN80]

Morrison defines rock. He took the sexuality, stage presence, and larger then life persona of Elvis Pressley and enhanced it. Songs such as Touch Me still stick out to me to the day as music that noone else can touch. His range is unmatched in every dimension. He lived the life of a rock star, 24/7, and he died young because of it. But his impact is undeniable, and Tupac isn't close. Morrison is the poster boy for every rocker that has battled addiction and drug problems since.

The only comparison between the two is that they died young, tragic deaths. Tupac was very influential in his own way, as he really took the rap genre and turned it into an avenue for storytelling. But he's since been surpassed by artists that have come after him such as Dr Dre and Eminem. I see his influence and appreciate his intelligence and respect the contributions he made, but Morrison's influence, for better or worse, is more widespread and has more longevity.

 

[P. Nut Butters]

Morrison by far. He crewne like Frank Sinatra and I'd suggest that he was the first or at least one of the first singers to have an angsty belting style that became an obvious influence on almost every rock singer to this day.

Morrison's lyrics are overlooked as well, I think. The Doors were one of the first commercial rock bands to incorporate swearing (even if it did get them kicked out of venues back in the day), but not only that. If you listen to songs like Moonlight Drive or even Break on Through it's very obvious that Jim was on a higher plane of thought and carried a true sense of purpose.

As far as his lifestyle goes, I wouldn't really take much notice of the Oliver Stone film, The Doors. It was a good movie for sure, but I'd agree with people who say it portrays more of the legend of Jim Morrison rather than the man he actually was. "When Your Strange" however, is also a really good watch and I think a lot better representation of the Doors and Morrison



Tupac is definitely a legend. No doubt. His stuff is good and he was an extremely wise man. However I've always personally found that there's an allure around rock music that can pull more people in than rap. You have some people that like both, some that like only one, but often-times, many devoted rock music fans can't appreciate rap. Just my opinion.

I, however, like both artists. They're both incredibly influential - but Morrison takes this one out by a long shot.

May both rest in peace.

 

[Minnesota Connection]

The only reason Jim Morrison is ahead of Tupac is because this is a wrestling Forum. In no way shape or form, did Jim Morrison contribute more than Tupac.

Music today is shaped around Tupac's form of music and you could even argue that half the stuff on the air today is there because of him.

Today's music is going away from Jim Morrisons style. His contribution was felt and passed.

In ten years, Tupac will be even bigger then he is today. Where as Morrison's image will decline.

Tupac was more influential then ANY other rap artist for various reasons. His music was on top of the charts while he was in jail. Other artists may have contributed more, but his feud with Biggie and his resulting death, make him a martyr.

The fact of the matter is, I don't see him as one. There are a lot of people who do.

Tupac is far greater then Jim Morrison, the comparison is a joke because its hands down.