In two days, specifically on September 13th, it will be exactly 28 years since the legendary rapper 2Pac passed away after being shot in Las Vegas. On September 7th, he was hit by four bullets while riding with a representative from his record label. However, his killer remains unknown to this day.
Artist, poet, and actor – these were just some of his official titles, but as he himself emphasized, above all these, he was a son and a brother. Most of his songs deal with growing up in the violence and poverty of the ghetto, racism, and conflicts with other rappers. However, despite the themes that marked his life, which ended when he was only 25, 2Pac dedicated several songs and quotes to women.
Foto: Credit: COLUMBIA PICTURES – Album / Album / Profimedia / Profimedia
Some of his most important and well-known songs were inspired by the presence of women in his life.
In the song “Dear Mama,” he shows his love for his mother, Afeni Shakur, expressing gratitude for everything she has ever done for him. “I have to thank the Lord for making you. There’s no way to thank you, but my plan is to show you that I understand. You are appreciated,” are just some of the lyrics the rapper directed towards his mother.
His song “Keep Ya Head Up” encourages all women to be strong, independent, and uncompromising with those who do not show them enough love. “Since all of us were born from women, given names and lives, I wonder why we take anything from them, why we rape them, why we hate them when they become ours? I think it’s time ‘to kill’ for our women, to be real, to help them heal, because if we don’t, we’ll have whole generations of children who will hate women while having children. And since men don’t have the ability to give birth, I don’t think they should have the right to tell women how, when, and where to have children,” he said in the song “Keep Ya Head Up.”
Besides his songs, the rapper is also known for his statements about women:
“A woman brought you into this world, so you have no right not to respect her.” “A man who does not respect his mother will never be able to respect his woman.” “I write some songs about bad women, but that doesn’t mean I hate women. I’ve written songs that show great love and respect for women. Songs that talk about strong, honest women and their pain.” “Sorry, but don’t forget, girl, keep your head up. And when he says ‘you’re not worth it,’ don’t believe him. And if he can’t learn to love you, you should leave him.”