Tuesday, September 10, 2013
2pac - Changes (Official Video)
I've chosen to write about Tupac's song "Changes" for my first assignment. This song struck me mostly because it's apparent pessimistic views on violence and poverty in black communities. After listening to it further, I found it easy to dissect the true meanings of Tupac's lyrics, and the history of the song hit me hard when I learned it was released postmortem. I didn't know a lot about the song beforehand, but I knew a general idea about Tupac and his life. I figured that one of his songs would fit the assignment because he is notorious for rapping about the current social issues, and I admired the courage it took to use his art to speak so strongly about an issue that hits him so close to home. I picked a different song earlier, but upon looking at the "Changes" a second time, I realized how incredibly easy it was to pull out themes and ideas from his lyrics. Tupac truly knew how to tell a story in song and move listeners with his harsh tones but catchy melodies.
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I wonder where Tupac filmed the video- it would be interesting if it was actual black people in the community or extras. He does speak very bluntly, but I feel like in his position as a famous rapper, he is able to get the message about police injustice (shooting a black person instead of taking him in for questioning). I find it ironic how he was shot because someone hated a comment he made about a gang- evidently they were not trying to be kind to each other's own race! Which brings me to my question- he talks about change, but how could the extreme whites be able to be accepting to the blacks when the blacks are shooting each other up?
ReplyDelete(note- i'm not a racist. i'm just thinking out loud for this assignment)
Very interesting to hear that this was released postmortem. I feel that the pasts biggest movements have started from one man's death. Could this have been a pivoting point in 2pac's persona? Often he is referred to as one of the most experienced street rappers as he was raised in a heavy street scene. It's amazing seeing someone go through a lifestyle and them responding with change.
ReplyDeleteYour post talks about how Tupac was courageous in his career as he released songs about current social issues. Here we see how art (from your "Strange Fruit" post) takes on social reform again. Did his boldness and bravery to produce controversial content result in his death? What was the circumstances of his death and the postmortem release of this song?
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