Many thanks to my 2Pac fan cousin Kirk for this interview!
Growing up, my cousin Kirk told me he liked to hang out with his friends at “Thugz Mansion”, an open space/carpark above the bus terminal near where we were staying in Singapore. Years later, I realised Thugz Mansion is a reference to 2Pac’s song from his 2002 album Better Dayz, released posthumously.
I saw DJ apex’s February Challenge : Black History Month — The Music of Resistance and immediately 2Pac came to mind. Instead of trying to research on him and his music with my limited knowledge, I thought it would be better to ask Kirk who is long-time fan of 2Pac and the one who introduced me to American rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971–1996), aka 2Pac.
Dean: Why do you think 2Pac’s music and songs are so influential in the history of American gangsta rap and hip hop?
Kirk: Pac’s songs are not like most “rappers”. 2Pac was one of the legendary artists of “old school hiphop” of the 90s. He defined old school hip hop just by his existence. Pac songs were inspiring and catchy, and they were popular because his songs had themes of struggle, justice, equality.
Sh*t like “Keep ya head up” and “Changes” it mentions of hope and justice, it ain’t like some rap songs just about sex and drugs. Pac was a visionary; his themes were mature for…
