2Pac - Life Goes On
Born June 16, 1971; died September 7, 1996
Today would have been his forty second birthday.
Many of the older generation wouldn't know, or approve of him or his music. Many of the younger generation would not have grown up with him or his music, or perhaps he is considered 'antiquated', the music their older siblings listened too.
These words may apply to you. They may not. They are indeed, just generalizations.
Just as you had music that understood the pain going on inside you, so did my generation. Perhaps your elders disapproved, calling it 'noise'. I certainly did. Yet, nearly two decades later, I can still listen to the music, and feel moved and even inspired. Among the dirty lyrics, there are gems of truth, poetry, and insightfulness.
As he once wrote in "Krazy":
"They say my ghetto instrumental, detrimental to kids As if they can't see the misery in which they live Blame me, for the outcome, ban my records - check it Don't have to bump this, but please respect it."
A once and current fan mourns the loss of this warrior poet.
Perhaps his legend is larger than the man, and indeed whose isn't? John Lennon was mourned with his untimely loss. Perhaps he had no need of curse words, but his ideas were no less revolutionary, and his loss felt no less deeply.
There is a tragedy inherent with this world, and that tragedy is this. The best of us, the ones who see how things are, and preach the need for change; the ones who openly exhibit compassion to their fellow man, the ones who preach non-violence so often die in violence.
Yet, that violence does not silence them. It martyrs them. It shows the rest of us just how limited and powerless resorting to violence really is, and their sacrifice merely illustrates how deep the need for a change really does exist.
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