The Soho Dolls

Tupac  Shakur is the name of american artist who was one of the best rappers of all the times. He is also known with the names of 2pac, pac and Makevali. His full name was Tupac Amaru Shakur and he was born in east harlem, New York on June 16, 1971. He lived most of his life in California. In addition to his rapping skills he was also a talented actor, poet, song writer, record producer and an social activist. Although he excelled in many fields yet rapping was always his main concentration. He has sold nearly 75 million albums worldwide up to this date. His associate artists are Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Outlaws, Thug Life, Richi rich, Kurrupt, Dave Hollister and many others. His work mainly promotes social, economical, political and racial equality. Through out his life he was involved in many controversies and lawsuits. He also has lots of enemies due to his open criticism against government, cops and fellow rappers. He was shot four times in the chest in September 7, 1996 and died seven days later due to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

EARLY LIFE:

He was born in very miserable conditions, his mother was the only one to support him but she was too financially weak to serve her duty. Growing up without father support and living in dirty and poor conditions is what made him angry young man. In very young life he witnessed fellow blacks being forced to sell drugs and to rob peoples to find a solution their financial problems. He noticed racism from cops. He also hated miserable conditions of young black women who become pregnant at very early age and boyfriends left them on their own. That’s why most of his songs deals with the pain he gone through in his childhood and the problems being faced as a black man. He was a social activist, through his art he made America realize that what was going through poor dirty streets of black peoples. Because of his open criticism against Government and cops and his hard and violent language he was also a very controversial person.

MUSIC:

STUDIO ALBUMS:

He became famous with his debut album “2paclypse Now”. Before that he was part of rap group Digital Underground as a backup dancer or roadie. 2paclypse Now produced hit singles like “Brenda’s got a baby”, “If my homie calls” and “Trapped”. It was certified gold. He was critically praised for his rapping skills  but was heavily criticized for violent lyrics.  Second album “Strictly 4 my niggaz” attained platinum status with hit singles “I get around”, “Keep ya head up”, “Papa’s song” and “Holler if ya hear”. In his third album he joined other rappers including Big Syke and formed rap group named Thug Life and released album entitled “Thug Life Volume 1”. Singles released from this album were “Cradle to the Grave”, “Pour our liquor” and “How long will they mourn me”. The album was certified Gold. After this relase 2pac again started solo career with album “Me against the World”. The album was a huge success and attained multiplatinum status (2x). “Dear Mama” first single was a worldwide superhit. Other singles were “Can u get away”, “Temptations” and “So many tears”. Next album released was “All eyez on me”. It was 2pac’s first double cd album and it has reached upto 9x Platinum status. It produced so many hit singles including “California Love”, “How do u want it”, 2 of amerikaz most wanted”, “all about u”, “I ain’t mad at cha”, “Life goes on” and “Hit  em up”.

POSTHUMOUS ALBUMS:

All the albums which were released after the death of 2pac may be called as Posthumous albums.  First album released was “Don Kulliminati 7 days theory” or “Makevali”. It was released on November 5, 1996 and was able to sell 4 million copies. Super hit songs of this album are “Toss it up”, “Live n die in L.A.”,  and “Hail Mary”. Afterwards albums released are listed below

• R u still down (Remember me)               4x Platinum

(Singles: “Do for Love” and “I wonder if heaven got a ghetto”)

• Greatest Hits (Compilation)                     9x Platinum

(Singles: “Changes” and “Unconditional Love”)

• Untill the end of Time                               3x Platinum

(Singles: “Untill the end of time” and “Letter to my unborn child”)

• Better Days                                                  2x Platinum

(Singles: “Thugs Mansion” and “Still Ballin Nitty remix”0

• Loyal to the Game                                      Platinum

(Singles: “Thugs get lonely too” and “Ghetto Gospel ft Elton John”

• Pac’s Life

(Singles: “Untouchables ft Krazie Bone”, “Pac’s Life ft T.I. & Ashanti” and “Playa Cards right (female) ft Keyshia Cole”)

MOVIES:

Tupac was also an exceptional actor. His debut performance in the film “Juice” was critically highly appreciated. And then later with the movie “Poetic Justice” starring against Janet Jackson he established him as professional and successful actor. List of his movies are:

• Nothing but trouble
• Juice
• Poetic Justice
• Above the Rim
• Bullet
• Gridlock’d
• Gang Related
• Tupac: Resurrection
• Notorious (2009, Himself archive footage)

DOCUMENTARIES:

His life is portrayed in many documentaries describing his feeling and ideology. Tupac Resurrection was nominated for Academy awards.

• 1997: Tupac Shakur: Thug Immortal
• 1997: Tupac Shakur: Words Never Die (TV)
• 2001: Tupac Shakur: Before I Wake…
• 2001: Welcome to Deathrow
• 2002: Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel: The Life of an Outlaw
• 2002: Biggie & Tupac
• 2002: Tha Westside
• 2003: 2Pac 4 Ever
• 2003: Tupac: Resurrection
• 2004: Tupac vs.
• 2004: Tupac: The Hip Hop Genius (TV)

• 2006: So Many Years, So Many Tears
• 2007: Tupac: Assassination
• 2009: Tupac: Assassination II: Reckoning