I cried yeterday morning. Watching 2Pac’s unreleased jailhouse interview reminded me of my student, mentee, and little brother whom I lost to Oakland’s streets last September. His name was Raymen Justice. His aura, love and daily battle were Shakurian. Both were great men who left us too early–victims of their own demons and burning barrels held by unknown assassins.
If ever you doubted Pac’s brilliance, this should put your unease to rest. There are too many amazing quotes and points throughout this 45 minute interview to list them all here, but one that jumps out as particularly poignant is regarding Thug Life. Pac is recognized as the originator of the term and blamed for the violence and impoverished mentality that supposedly spawned from it, but Pac’s take reframes the entire matter.
“I didn’t create Thug Life, I diagnosed it. Just like if a Doctor says, 'this is the AIDS virus.' He didn't make AIDS, he diagnosed it. He won't be held responsible for every AIDS case, if anything, he's giving you information on maybe finding a cure. I felt that that's the same thing I did for Thug Life.”
Pac would have been 40 years old next month, and one can only imagine the wisdom he would have imparted had he lived to see this day. Take the time to watch this previously unseen interview in it’s entirety, and then stick around to hear Pac spit a song he wrote in prison as he listens to his walkman. We miss you Pac.
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