Hip Hop's "Shining Path" - TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

Some say that our destinies are written way before we are born...that no matter what we do in life to try to run from who we are, the truth always hits us. It's like in The Matrix - once you take that pill, there's no going back. You will always know truth and feel a need to push for truth until your last day comes. Like those walking blindly in the "matrix" of today's society, Tupac Amaru Shakur's destiny was set.

Conceived during the Black Panther Movement of the 1970's, nurtured in the womb while his mom was in a federal prison and then, born months after her release, Tupac Amaru was named after the revolutionary leader of Peru. His last name, a Muslim one taken by his parents (Afeni & Mutulu) and aunt (Assata), reflects not only his characteristic but one of the 99 attributes (names) of Allah - Shakur = Shakir = The Appreciative

Tupac appreciated the struggles of the Black Panthers. He appreciated the struggle of his mom - fighting against racism, poverty and drug addiction. Most notably, Tupac appreciated the struggles of the young Black male in America. His T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. motto exemplified his frustration with the way in which Black youth seem to have been thrown away...disregarded. His passion for his artform and his love for his people led to his being seen as a leader, a poet, a prophet and a martyr...but what about the theories of him being in the witness protection program? hiding out in Cuba with his aunt, Assata (who is exiled from America)? Of him faking his own death, like Don Illuminati?

Will we ever really know the answers? Probably not, but to understand the man and his struggles one has to goto his own words - his music, his poetry -written in his own hand, and films, like "Tupac Resurrection."

One of the most powerful things Tupac ever said was - "I may not change the world but I can guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world!"

Such wisdom at a young age can only come from one with a Divine mission and purpose. Wherever Tupac is, I'm sure he can count himself among the chosen ones whose name will be written in the BOOK OF LIFE !

Hotep
Salaam
Peace