Penyanyi 90an: Tupac Shakur, Musisi Hip Hop Bernasib Tragis

Fimela.com, Jakarta Nama Tupac Shakur tentunya tidak terdengar asing di telinga kita. Sayangnya, rapper ini bernasib tragis karena meninggal dunia akibat penembakan pada 7 September 1996.

Pembunuhan Tupac Shakur mungkin menjadi kenangan yang kelam di dunia musik. Namun terlepas dari kisah pilu di balik kematian sang rapper, dunia tahu bahwa dia adalah musisi yang sangat berpengaruh di dunia hip hop.

Tupac Shakur sendiri lahir dengan nama Lesane Parish Crooks pada 16 Juni 1971 di East Harlem, New York, Amerika Serikat. Dia memulai karirnya sebagai musisi sejak tahun 1987, dan memproklamirkan 2Pac dan Makaveli sebagai nama panggungnya.

Dia sendiri memulai karir sebagai seorang back up dancer sekaligus MC untuk grup hip hop alternatif bernama Digital Underground. Tak mau karirnya stuck, dia pun juga melakukan gerakan 'bawah tanah' sebagai seorang artis solo. Dia pun aktif menciptakan banyak lagu tentang fenomena sosial.

Usaha Tupac Shakur memang tidak sia-sia. Kemampuannya bermusik dan menciptakan lagu telah menjadikannya rapper yang sukses. Tidak hanya sampai di situ, namanya juga dikenal sebagai aktivis, produser rekaman, aktor, dan sastrawan. Karya-karya yang ditelurkannya pun berhasil mencapai kesuksesan, salah satunya album All Eyez on Me.

Tupac Shakur sendiri banya menciptakan lagu-lagu dengan tema rasisme, masalah sosial, kekerasan, dan lain-lain. Karyanya dikagumi bahkan jauh setelah meninggal. Bahkan beberapa waktu, akhirnya nama Tupac Shakur dinyatakan masuk dalam jajaran artis Hall of Fame 2007. 

Tupac Shakur - Dear Mama

You are appreciated

[Verse One: 2Pac]

When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]

Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?

[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]

[Verse Two: 2Pac]

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

[Chorus]

[Verse Three: 2Pac]

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

[Chorus]

Sweet lady
And dear mama

Dear mama
Lady [3X]