Shakur and Kendrick: Bad News for Fox News

Tupac Shakur released his debut studio album in 1991, 2pacalypse Now, setting the tone for one of the most genre defining, conscious hip hop artist careers ever. In the album, Shakur targets police and the US government for worsening conditions in Black communities, attaching emotional anecdotes to the project throughout its tracks. 

Shakur doesn’t mince words when he says “They cuttin’ off welfare, and they think crime is rising now? You got whites killing blacks and cops killing blacks…” putting the issue in front of the listener. 

The album was an immediate success, eventually going gold. The socially conscious lyrics filled the ears of Black communities livid after the recent police beatings of Rodney King, setting the stage for the upcoming L.A. riots. 

While many praised the album for its upfront tackling of prominent social issues, some deemed it a danger to society. A particular grouch was then-Vice President Dan Qualye, who was amidst a public relations war with certain media he declared to have “no place in our society”. 

Quayle had previously targeted Ice-T and his song “Cop Killer” as well as Murphy Brown for positively depicting a family, in the sitcom, that had a child out of wedlock. 

Shakur’s album struck a nerve with Quayle, and he was determined to make an example of it. When Texas State Trooper Bill Davidson was mortally wounded by a driver in a stolen truck who was listening to the popular anti-police album, Quayle found his moment. 

During a mass press event, Quayle honored the trooper’s daughter, bashing Shakur and his album. During the event Quayle claimed “There is absolutely no reason for a record like this to be published…”, a statement that Shakur would not let Quayle live down. 

In Shakur’s second studio album, he calls out Quayle by  making the basis of the second track contain soundbites of Quayle’s media attack. On the interlude listeners can hear Quayle diss the rapper, and slash at Shakur. 

While 2pac’s days may feel far behind us, history seems to repeat itself, this time with Shakur’s heir, Kendrick Lamar. 

During the 2015 BET awards, Lamar had a similar message to the world when he performed “Alright” off of his platinum album To Pimp A Butterfly. 

Dancing on top of graffiti covered cop cars in a post apocalyptic patriotic haze, Lamar preached the same message that Shakur did some years ago.  

In a similar fashion to 2pac, Lamar was heavily criticized for his so-called crooked view on American policing. Geraldo Rivera, was among several Fox News anchors commenting on the issue when he exclaimed “This is why hip hop has done more damage for African Americans than racism in recent years.” 

Lamar fully steps into Shakur’s shoes, proving he’s continuing Tupac’s work by later sampling Rivera in his song “DNA.” in his next studio album DAMN. where he calls out Rivera and systemic racism in the country. 

There is something undeniably powerful about the use of the sound bites. They breathe a certain power into the music. One that makes you feel obligated to lift your chin up. It speaks truth to power by saying “I won’t be silent. You haven’t discouraged me” holding a mirror to their own overtly racist statements, creating a declaration of strength.  

It’s a sweet moment in hip-hop, as the torch is passed from one Compton generation to another (or more so gracefully picked up in this case). Lamar continues to utilize the poetic nature of hip-hop to advance social justice, even admitting to speaking to Shakur during his projects. While some uneducated voices on the matter grumble mind numbing opinions, worthy of nothing but a US history textbook and a lesson on colonialism, many today appropriately praise Lamar’s artistic accomplishments, earning him a well deserved Pulitzer Prize.

It’s also a sour moment, as we look back on Shakur’s legacy, riddled with musicians rejecting his work, machine gun shootouts with police, and accusatory politicians. All one needs to do is retrace Lamar’s steps, to find themselves back where Tupac stood. While we still must protest police brutality and systemic racism in the country, it is significant to note that we still have great poetic leaders, determined to plow through obstacles. 

The two, while separate, share connections at their core, their very foundation is made of the same cement.  While Kendrick may be the one showing us how to do it now, Tupac stood up before, inspiring millions and setting an example of what it means to be fearless.