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Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon
A passionate, critically incisive cultural biography of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur and an examination of the forces that shaped him.
In 1996 Tupac Shakur, one of the most talented artists of his time, was murdered by an unknown gunman. Fred L. Johnson and Tayannah Lee McQuillar examine the theories surrounding his death and the story of Tupac's lost legacy in this definitive biography.
For millions, Shakur gave voice to their stories, but there was also another side to him, revealed as his life spun out of control, as the whispered warnings from friends went unheeded and the denunciations of critics grew louder. Disturbingly, he sang and wrote about his impending death. When it came, it brought the music industry to its knees and ended an era when American rappers were leaders in using their art to speak the truth to corporate, government, and judicial power.
In 1996 Tupac Shakur, one of the most talented artists of his time, was murdered by an unknown gunman. Fred L. Johnson and Tayannah Lee McQuillar examine the theories surrounding his death and the story of Tupac's lost legacy in this definitive biography.
For millions, Shakur gave voice to their stories, but there was also another side to him, revealed as his life spun out of control, as the whispered warnings from friends went unheeded and the denunciations of critics grew louder. Disturbingly, he sang and wrote about his impending death. When it came, it brought the music industry to its knees and ended an era when American rappers were leaders in using their art to speak the truth to corporate, government, and judicial power.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2010
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617 people want to read
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July 23, 2019
This is really long but it was how I digested this book...
Born to a single mom - does a lot of drugs, is t really supportive of family
Mother was a pet of black panther party... grew up with that social justice influence
He was named after an Incan warrior that was killed, but always fought back
Biological father: Billy Garland
Stepfather (and admired): mutulu
Born in New York... mom had some trouble with men and drugs
Went to art school in Vermont... was really happy there
Then moved to Marin City, went to Tam. School was more rough, especially after school in Vermont
Keisha = adult woman producer in Marin, good role mother for Tupac
Jada=friend
Started as a rapper and actor
His first songs were hits because he talked about the struggle in the ghettos, reflecting the hardships of his childhood
First music producer: interscope
Tupac was good friends with Biggie and helped him gain fame/a reputation
Tupac was accused of sexual assault. He denies it. However, he does admit that he shouldn’t have left the girl in the room when two other gangsters entered the room and gang raped this woman.
He becomes Agnant along the way, which is a dirty influence on Tupac. Biggie warns Tupac, but he ignores him.
Then, Tupac was called to the quad and he was shot (5 times) and robbed. He then went up the elevator and saw biggie and Anderson. He felt betrayed because they didn’t warn Tupac that people were going to shoot him.
Tupac goes to jail shortly after under rape charge. Here, he grows bitter.
He marries Keisha Morris, who supports him while he is in jail.
He gets out if jail (bail by Suge Knight, boss of Death Row) and immediately criticizes Biggie and other east coast rappers.
This is when the east/west coast battle begins.
(Tupac, snoop dog, shock G) v. (Biggie, Puffy/Diddy, Agnant)
Tupac goes to work with suge Knight in LA.
Tupac works with snoop dog, and they become friends. Dr. Dre is also a part of Death Row Records.
Tupac works very hard, but his music has changed because it’s more bitter.
Then, Tupac releases one more single, “Hit ‘Em Up” that Stan’s at Biggie not under the death row records. Security for the artist is increased.
Tupac ends up in Las Vegas for a boxing event. He is riding in Suge’s car when he is shot (by an unidentified person) in a drive-by. He dies a couple days later.
Some point along the way, Tupac fell in love with Kiada Jones. He was going to marry her, but dies before he could.
He made movies along the way.
Tupac was a pure soul that grew up in a broken household. He was incredibly talented and hard working, two characteristics that brought him to fame. He was one of the first (rap) artists to speak the truth about life in the ghettos, helping him gain popularity (but also criticism). However, as his career progressed, the pressure to be gangster to maintain his safety and reputation slowly changed his personality and influenced his actions. He felt like his friends betrayed him, declaring war and becoming bitter. This led to the end of his career, where his songs had more profanity and were much more dark and bitter.
A once pure soul was harmed by the destruction and pressure of fame.
He wanted to just leave rap, but the pressure from other east coast artists pushed him to release one more song.
Born to a single mom - does a lot of drugs, is t really supportive of family
Mother was a pet of black panther party... grew up with that social justice influence
He was named after an Incan warrior that was killed, but always fought back
Biological father: Billy Garland
Stepfather (and admired): mutulu
Born in New York... mom had some trouble with men and drugs
Went to art school in Vermont... was really happy there
Then moved to Marin City, went to Tam. School was more rough, especially after school in Vermont
Keisha = adult woman producer in Marin, good role mother for Tupac
Jada=friend
Started as a rapper and actor
His first songs were hits because he talked about the struggle in the ghettos, reflecting the hardships of his childhood
First music producer: interscope
Tupac was good friends with Biggie and helped him gain fame/a reputation
Tupac was accused of sexual assault. He denies it. However, he does admit that he shouldn’t have left the girl in the room when two other gangsters entered the room and gang raped this woman.
He becomes Agnant along the way, which is a dirty influence on Tupac. Biggie warns Tupac, but he ignores him.
Then, Tupac was called to the quad and he was shot (5 times) and robbed. He then went up the elevator and saw biggie and Anderson. He felt betrayed because they didn’t warn Tupac that people were going to shoot him.
Tupac goes to jail shortly after under rape charge. Here, he grows bitter.
He marries Keisha Morris, who supports him while he is in jail.
He gets out if jail (bail by Suge Knight, boss of Death Row) and immediately criticizes Biggie and other east coast rappers.
This is when the east/west coast battle begins.
(Tupac, snoop dog, shock G) v. (Biggie, Puffy/Diddy, Agnant)
Tupac goes to work with suge Knight in LA.
Tupac works with snoop dog, and they become friends. Dr. Dre is also a part of Death Row Records.
Tupac works very hard, but his music has changed because it’s more bitter.
Then, Tupac releases one more single, “Hit ‘Em Up” that Stan’s at Biggie not under the death row records. Security for the artist is increased.
Tupac ends up in Las Vegas for a boxing event. He is riding in Suge’s car when he is shot (by an unidentified person) in a drive-by. He dies a couple days later.
Some point along the way, Tupac fell in love with Kiada Jones. He was going to marry her, but dies before he could.
He made movies along the way.
Tupac was a pure soul that grew up in a broken household. He was incredibly talented and hard working, two characteristics that brought him to fame. He was one of the first (rap) artists to speak the truth about life in the ghettos, helping him gain popularity (but also criticism). However, as his career progressed, the pressure to be gangster to maintain his safety and reputation slowly changed his personality and influenced his actions. He felt like his friends betrayed him, declaring war and becoming bitter. This led to the end of his career, where his songs had more profanity and were much more dark and bitter.
A once pure soul was harmed by the destruction and pressure of fame.
He wanted to just leave rap, but the pressure from other east coast artists pushed him to release one more song.
February 21, 2022
„Fear is stronger than love, remember that. Fear is stronger than love, all that love I gave didn't mean nothing when it came to fear.“ - Tupac Shakur
"It's like the twilight zone. It's like some evil, unstoppable sh*t that won't let me go. It's got its hands on me and it wants to see me fail. In my mind sometimes when I'm drunk or I'm just laying down.... I keep thinking to myself, is this true? ... Am I gonna fail? Am I supposed to fail? Should I just stop trying and give up?.... But it's a game. It's the game of life.... I know one day they're gonna shut the game down but I gotta have as much fun and go around the board as many times as I can before it's my turn to leave." - Tupac Shakur
"It's like the twilight zone. It's like some evil, unstoppable sh*t that won't let me go. It's got its hands on me and it wants to see me fail. In my mind sometimes when I'm drunk or I'm just laying down.... I keep thinking to myself, is this true? ... Am I gonna fail? Am I supposed to fail? Should I just stop trying and give up?.... But it's a game. It's the game of life.... I know one day they're gonna shut the game down but I gotta have as much fun and go around the board as many times as I can before it's my turn to leave." - Tupac Shakur
January 28, 2016
He's living on the moon this book is a lie
January 8, 2018
This book was a very informative book about the life and makings of Tupac Shakur. I am a person who values music over most things, especially rap/hip-hop and rock. The book starts from the bottom, with the history of Tupac's grandparents, parents, and then him, and to be honest, I feel as if the grandparent information and some of the parent information was not needed at all, the ancient history in the book dragged and I did not like reading that because I felt like I was reading the US History textbook, and all this time I was thinking this was a book about Tupac, not the history of Lumberton, North Carolina (where Tupac was born). When the book gets to the part about Tupac then it becomes very interesting and gives us a great inside on what his life was like as the rapper and as a normal human too. I loved reading about his come up and how he was brought up with literally nothing and made himself into somebody that will remain a legend forever. I loved reading about his shows and the energy and vibes he always put out for the crowd and his fans. For me, it is always interesting to learn more about people who I look up to or who I think made a difference in this world, it is easy for me to read these type things over fiction because this is the reality of the world. Most things in this book except the history in the beginning I found very interesting, shows, life, music, etc. I would highly recommend this book for somebody who likes Tupac Shakur as an artist and is interested in learning more about him, getting to know him, because if not then the reader will not have fun while reading and enjoy.
(This is an extra credit book I read over break, I already did the real one before break)
(This is an extra credit book I read over break, I already did the real one before break)
June 3, 2021
This book was a struggle to finish. The book was all over the place! Events were out of order, details were missing, and some things were left hanging.
This book had more details about things not related to Tupac vs the details that were about Tupac. If you are looking for a biography of Tupac...THIS IS NOT THE ONE!!!
This book had more details about things not related to Tupac vs the details that were about Tupac. If you are looking for a biography of Tupac...THIS IS NOT THE ONE!!!
June 21, 2012
i did not always agree with the authors interpretations (or saw a different side to them), but it brought pac back to life for me for a little while.
December 19, 2018
It was interesting about the struggles that Tupac had in his life.
June 9, 2022
Thorough insight into the America that he was born and raised in which ultimately shaped him as an artist, as well as the media driven tensions between the East and West coasts.
June 2, 2022
I listen to and enjoy 90s hip hop quite a lot but Tupac is the one artist that I’ve never really been able to get in to. I thought if I read a bit about him and the story behind the man it might help me enjoy the music more and understand why he’s so beloved.
The first few chapters concentrate on the history of America, civil rights, the Black Panthers etc and while it was interesting I really found myself wishing it would hurry up and get to Tupac. Once it did it was great. His early years are covered in depth although once he breaks out and makes it is a top rapper he becomes a more distant figure in the narrative and we get less and less insight about him as a person, instead zooming between the major events of his life with little in between. His behaviour changes in the last year of his life, and his persona and message change when he signs with Death Row, but we never really get down in to why. There’s surprisingly little about the aftermath of his death too and the unsolved murder case.
This may not have been the book that helps me to fully understand Tupac but I can definitely listen to a couple of his albums again with fresh ears and a new perspective, and I may pick up one of the many other books about Tupac to fill in some of the blanks. But that’s not taking anything away from this book, what was in it was excellent, there just wasn’t enough of it.
The first few chapters concentrate on the history of America, civil rights, the Black Panthers etc and while it was interesting I really found myself wishing it would hurry up and get to Tupac. Once it did it was great. His early years are covered in depth although once he breaks out and makes it is a top rapper he becomes a more distant figure in the narrative and we get less and less insight about him as a person, instead zooming between the major events of his life with little in between. His behaviour changes in the last year of his life, and his persona and message change when he signs with Death Row, but we never really get down in to why. There’s surprisingly little about the aftermath of his death too and the unsolved murder case.
This may not have been the book that helps me to fully understand Tupac but I can definitely listen to a couple of his albums again with fresh ears and a new perspective, and I may pick up one of the many other books about Tupac to fill in some of the blanks. But that’s not taking anything away from this book, what was in it was excellent, there just wasn’t enough of it.
November 2, 2025
I give the novel Tupac Shakur The Life and Times Of An American Icon by Tayannah Lee McQuillar 4 stars. I agree with the author's opinions about the theme of Tupac’s life when he was younger and how it was when he got older. Starting off, Tayannah told the theme by saying “Native Americans, blacks, and poor whites, henry lowry and his raiders became heroes (Tayannah 7). It told how the environment was when Tupac was about to be born. Next, Tayannah had used imagery in the book by saying “Somewhere the rolling essence of Tupac's music he directed rows of criticism” (Tayannah 109). Additionally, Tayannah's use of characterization was good because it described how Tupac lived. The book quoted “Tupac was emotionally troubled because he had to deal with issues like lack of food. Clothing, shelter, and personal safety” (Tayannah 220). Then, the author had used the crisis when Tupac was in jail, the book quoted “ Tupac’s frustration grew into rage. He displaced his anger onto Keisha and it hurt, shed been there for him” (Tayannah 178). In conclusion, Tayannah included information about Tupac’s death and how his music still lived on, the book said “By the time he was pronounced dead on September 13. 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur has made his name accessible to Americans cultural pantheon”.
April 17, 2018
The book, Tupac Shakur: The Life and Time of an American Icon is a extremely good boo. It may also be extremely good to me because i love Tupac Shakur i've been listening to his music for along time now. Even though i'm not from the time when he was really popular, and alive I have just been really fond of his music so I wanted to read about him, and find out more about Tupac, and this book helped me learn a lot more about stuff I didn't know about him. I learned about his past even before he was a rapper. I learned that his mother was apart of the black panthers, and shes was in and out of jail quit a bit because she was associated with the black panthers, also his he never really meet his father when he was young he relied a lot on his mother, and so did she when he got older. This helped me realize some of the lyrics he would rap about like when he rapped about him mother , and how he loves her for everything hes done for him. Overall this is a really good book, I highly recommend it.
October 12, 2017
The main character is Tupac shakur and the main conflict for him is poverty and seeing African American suffrage . His mom and father were black panthers so he was well informed at a young age about the corrupt political system . He does over come this in the beginning and bring many African Americans together with his music , but later his music became harder and more about “ thug life “ .
If I had to sum up the character in one word it would be pure. The reason it would be pure is because the things he has gone through as a child and an adult were harsh and he explained how it was growing up he didn’t sugar coat anything . He kept it real with everything he did
If I had to sum up the character in one word it would be pure. The reason it would be pure is because the things he has gone through as a child and an adult were harsh and he explained how it was growing up he didn’t sugar coat anything . He kept it real with everything he did
November 17, 2021
An oddly composed book, the book takes as much, if not more time, talking about the lives of Tupac's contemporaries and the political and social atmosphere in which he lived as it does talking about Tupac. The final line is quote from Quincy Jones defies logic as an ending and it feels like they just forgot to write an extra sentence at the end and it leaves you feeling unsatisfied with the whole affair.
That said, the book it well-researched, easy to read, and I liked the information I gleamed from it. Am I glad I read it? Absolutely. Would I read it again? Probably not as I think there are other places that do a better job of relaying Tupac's life.
That said, the book it well-researched, easy to read, and I liked the information I gleamed from it. Am I glad I read it? Absolutely. Would I read it again? Probably not as I think there are other places that do a better job of relaying Tupac's life.
December 3, 2017
Amazing
This book is amazing and heart-wrenching. I could feel the tears, especially at the end when they were describing his death. Tupac is such a well known and well loved historical figure and we missed out on all he could be. He died at a tender 25 and the world and music are suffering for it. This book went into detailed history and really solidified his diverse of a character Tupac was and lets the world know he wasn't just some gangster but a beautiful black man with a heart for the downtrodden. Love Tupac FOREVER!
This book is amazing and heart-wrenching. I could feel the tears, especially at the end when they were describing his death. Tupac is such a well known and well loved historical figure and we missed out on all he could be. He died at a tender 25 and the world and music are suffering for it. This book went into detailed history and really solidified his diverse of a character Tupac was and lets the world know he wasn't just some gangster but a beautiful black man with a heart for the downtrodden. Love Tupac FOREVER!
February 14, 2020
This book is very informative about the life of Tupac Shakur and includes the adversity he faced growing up and entering his career. It also explains his entire family history and the things this his mom went through that led to her doing some of the things that she did. This book goes into detail about the problems he faced living in poverty and being around drugs from a young age. This book also explains how he was brought up with nothing and was very poor while growing up but made himself into someone that will be remembered and will remain a legend forever.
July 22, 2020
Much better than I had anticipated. I was not expecting the history lessons on subjects such as the KKK, the civil rights movement, the black Panthers, Reaganomics, and so on. The authors dove deep into what inspired (and hampered) Tupac from before he was even alive.
Every now and then, the authors personal opinion sneaks into the commentary, and in some parts it seems it is repetitive/confusing, but overall a fantastic telling of Shakur's life, what impacted it, and the impact he left on the rap game and American culture as a whole.
Every now and then, the authors personal opinion sneaks into the commentary, and in some parts it seems it is repetitive/confusing, but overall a fantastic telling of Shakur's life, what impacted it, and the impact he left on the rap game and American culture as a whole.
December 11, 2020
Tupac Shakur is an enigma, and I don't think many people doubt that. I chose to read this book because I had so many questions and curiosities about his life and history. This book gave me an abundance of context for Tupac's life and music, however it never gave me adequate insight into who he was and why.
This book felt more like an exercise in excellent research, but lacked any of the personal touches that make a biography a biography. Felt like I could use this in a university paper. If you can get by the dry start it picks up. Definitely had me listening to some of his music.
This book felt more like an exercise in excellent research, but lacked any of the personal touches that make a biography a biography. Felt like I could use this in a university paper. If you can get by the dry start it picks up. Definitely had me listening to some of his music.
February 20, 2022
Nice try
Hard to really write a great book about such a complex individual. That aside 2pac was largely absent from the first 12 chapters, also quite a bit of speculation and opinions on things involving Pac. Conclusions do not need to be drawn from an author in a bio. Then there is the matter of stating Shock G was born in 1980. That would've made him 10 when it was his "chance to do the Hump". Overall you could probably read Wikipedia, watch interviews, and save your money, outside of buying the albums
Hard to really write a great book about such a complex individual. That aside 2pac was largely absent from the first 12 chapters, also quite a bit of speculation and opinions on things involving Pac. Conclusions do not need to be drawn from an author in a bio. Then there is the matter of stating Shock G was born in 1980. That would've made him 10 when it was his "chance to do the Hump". Overall you could probably read Wikipedia, watch interviews, and save your money, outside of buying the albums
March 1, 2022
This book made me realize how influential a person can be beyond death. Even at the age of twenty-five Tupac Shakur had already made a amazing impact on music. Some even still considering him to be the best rapper of all time. That is what makes the whole situation of his death such a tragedy, the wasted talent and potential. It is incredibly saddening to think that the world lost such a influential person so early on in life. What is even sadder is that they never even found his killers and also they weren't able to uncover the reason behind his assasination.
June 2, 2017
This book was so good . I like how they showed the life of tupac shakur . How he was a great person and was all about his music . They show how he was an inspiration to people who wanted to become rappers . Tupac will forever be a legend and be a inspiration to all upcoming hip-hop artist .
January 4, 2025
Readong this book decades after Tupac's death brought me back to the news stories and Behond the Music documentaries. The book provides history surrounding the music industry and Tupac's life story from an outside view.
December 9, 2019
Great book about Tupac Shakur's short life. Truly an idol and someone to look up to.
January 13, 2024
I found this book to be quite biased and opinionated at times, but still a great and informative read. Rest in peace Tupac Amaru Shakur. May your legacy live on.
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January 29, 2025Couldn't finish this. There's a lot of history to start which is never engaging for me!
December 14, 2016
Jack McMahon, 11/8/16, Pd 1, Truth!
I read "Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon" by Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD. This book was a 249 page non-fiction story about the life and death of american rapper Tupac Shakur. Before reading this book, I had watched a movie called "Notorious" about the Notorious B.I.G., also an american rapper. It was about the life of him and how he became a rapper. It also talked a lot about the death of him, and you may not know, but the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur were rivals. There was speculation that one might have killed the other. It mostly viewed Tupac as more of a antagonist and Biggie as the protagonist. This is why I was very interested in hearing the perspective of Tupac rather than Biggie. I think this book did a really good job of doing that. Not only did it talk about Tupac's death and his life as a rapper, but it also talked about Tupac's life before he became a rapper. It even talks about the civil rights movement, the black panther party for self-defense, segregation, and the KKK when his mother was alive. Overall, I would rate this book five stars because of how great of a job I think it did explaining Tupac's whole life.
I read "Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon" by Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD. This book was a 249 page non-fiction story about the life and death of american rapper Tupac Shakur. Before reading this book, I had watched a movie called "Notorious" about the Notorious B.I.G., also an american rapper. It was about the life of him and how he became a rapper. It also talked a lot about the death of him, and you may not know, but the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur were rivals. There was speculation that one might have killed the other. It mostly viewed Tupac as more of a antagonist and Biggie as the protagonist. This is why I was very interested in hearing the perspective of Tupac rather than Biggie. I think this book did a really good job of doing that. Not only did it talk about Tupac's death and his life as a rapper, but it also talked about Tupac's life before he became a rapper. It even talks about the civil rights movement, the black panther party for self-defense, segregation, and the KKK when his mother was alive. Overall, I would rate this book five stars because of how great of a job I think it did explaining Tupac's whole life.
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April 8, 2016In Tupac Shakur: The Life and Time of an American Icon, authors Fred L. Johnson and Tayannah Lee McQuillar tell the story of the childhood spent in poverty of one of the most famed American rappers, and the events leading up to his tragic murder in 1996. Shortly before his death, Tupac ran into trouble with the law, facing accusations of rape and other crimes. During this time, his records label “left him for dead”, doing all in their power to erase all evidence they were ever affiliated with him (149). The general American populous was not quick to support him due to the type of lifestyle he promoted in his lyrics. After clearing up his legal trouble, Tupac went to record a song with another famous rapper at the time named Biggie, when everything went wrong. 3 men in the building wearing “army fatigues” pulled out guns, and “grabbed” at him to see “if he was strapped”, shooting him 4 times immediately following (151). Although Tupac lived through the encounter, it shows that he had made a lot of friends over the years, and even more enemies. Then in 1996, on a night like any other, Tupac was in a BVW with his friend Suge, sitting at a stop light. All of a sudden, “gunshots ripped through the night” as a white Cadillac pulled up to the passenger side of their car, which ended with Tupac telling Suge he “couldn’t breathe” as he “let out a sigh, and closed his eyes”(236-237). This tragic murder stunned thousands across the country, fans and nonfans alike. Regardless of the type of lifestyle Tupac promoted, he stood as an American icon, who was brave enough to rap about the blatant issues in society that nobody else was brave enough to speak out against; To this day, even those who know nothing else about him, still know the name, Tupac Shakur.
August 23, 2018
In starting this book review, I will acknowledge that I have a basis for Tupac as the greatest rapper of all time in Hip Hop. To me, he is the Michael Jordan of rap. He came and dominated the scene once he was on top. He lived a fast and furious life style that was unfortunately met with a violent end. This book outlines key aspects of his life and what he stood for in amazing detail that the reader can experience. He lived in multiple locations taking in the local scene and embracing his poetic nature. Over time, he realized that he could rap and used that to express himself publicly to people about the lives that the poor and disenfranchised lived in various communities. Through his music, he gave them a voice and person to follow. He was a semi-leader following in his mother's Black Panther roots. He has many run-ins with the law which culminated in a conviction for sexual abuse that he was later paroled for. It was during that time that he discovered that most people left him for dead despite how much he supported everyone in his life. He found a few friends and stayed strong until he was released. Upon release, he created some of his best music but this led to a huge East Coast/West Coast battle. It was this battle that his life was lost to us and the greatness he possessed was taken. Tupac lived a life that had a vision and this book explores that vision. If you want to know more about the young man who can make a song about poor black women and hoes at the same time, this is the book for you.
January 14, 2016
I just finished Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon. I really, really liked this book, it was a great story of Tupac’s struggle and it talked about his music and it was always filled with action. This book is a great read for free time, I like this book because it’s something i’m interested in not because I was assigned to it. I could read this book in class or at home whenever and not feel pressured to finish it. Lord know’s I didn’t want to put this down with all the shootings and fights during Tupac’s crazy life.
This book at a pretty good plot line, there weren’t any twist or unexpected turns because it’s an informational text about someone’s life. The author did a great job of explaining what exactly happened to Tupac all through his life and what he had to deal with. The author tells you all about the struggles with his money during the trial he was on. All about how hard it was to feed his family when no one wanted to give him a performing job or money. This book will keep you wanted to read even without crazy plot twists.
This book is definitely a book I would recommend to a peer and even put aside to read again. I really liked how much in detail the author went to make the reader feel as if you were a friend of Tupac all his life. What I didn’t like about this book that isn’t much of a big deal is the fact that the Chapters sometimes cut off information that you would expect to be coming. It’s different than a cliffhanger it’s almost like the author ran out of ink. Even after my dislikes I would still rate this book 4 stars and I would recommend this book to anyone of my English class peers.
This book at a pretty good plot line, there weren’t any twist or unexpected turns because it’s an informational text about someone’s life. The author did a great job of explaining what exactly happened to Tupac all through his life and what he had to deal with. The author tells you all about the struggles with his money during the trial he was on. All about how hard it was to feed his family when no one wanted to give him a performing job or money. This book will keep you wanted to read even without crazy plot twists.
This book is definitely a book I would recommend to a peer and even put aside to read again. I really liked how much in detail the author went to make the reader feel as if you were a friend of Tupac all his life. What I didn’t like about this book that isn’t much of a big deal is the fact that the Chapters sometimes cut off information that you would expect to be coming. It’s different than a cliffhanger it’s almost like the author ran out of ink. Even after my dislikes I would still rate this book 4 stars and I would recommend this book to anyone of my English class peers.
January 5, 2012
This book is about Tupac Shakur and about how his life was as a kid and as he grew up and became a rapper. The main character in this book is Tupac Shakur. The main character in this went to Baltimore School for the Arts when he was a teenager and was born in 1971. Tupac had lot of problems as a kid. When Tupac was a kid he was always moving and he was even homeless at times. His mother also was a drug addict for a long period. Tupac’s life was an adventure when he was in his teens he had had to look for jobs to help pay bills for his mom.
My favorite character was Tupac. I couldn’t really relate to the things Tupac or anyone else in the story did because they all had very rough life’s. They experienced some done some very intense things that I couldn’t really do.
My Opinion:
I really liked this book. My favorite part of this book was when Tupac made his first rap and came up with the name MC New York. My least favorite part was when Tupac was shot Sept 7, 1996 in Las Vegas.
If I could change any part I would make it so Tupac doesn’t get shot at the end of the book.
I would recommend this book to someone that cares about Tupac and how his life was as child and a teen made him who he was as an adult. I would think that the person who would read this book truly loves Tupac Amaru Skakur and his music
My favorite character was Tupac. I couldn’t really relate to the things Tupac or anyone else in the story did because they all had very rough life’s. They experienced some done some very intense things that I couldn’t really do.
My Opinion:
I really liked this book. My favorite part of this book was when Tupac made his first rap and came up with the name MC New York. My least favorite part was when Tupac was shot Sept 7, 1996 in Las Vegas.
If I could change any part I would make it so Tupac doesn’t get shot at the end of the book.
I would recommend this book to someone that cares about Tupac and how his life was as child and a teen made him who he was as an adult. I would think that the person who would read this book truly loves Tupac Amaru Skakur and his music
February 5, 2016
In Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon, Author Fred L. Johnson conveys theories regarding his death and tells the story of a very talented Tupac Shakur. He does this by accurately portraying the very real struggles of everyday in the life of Tupac. In the beginning of the text, Tupac is very poor and living in poverty, when he has to get multiple jobs in order to provide for his family and his mothers drug addiction, we can see that he is at rock bottom. Towards the middle of the novel, we can see him flourishing through the arts. When he releases his record "2Pacalypse Now" we can see that he is describing the everyday struggles he faced as a young man. Towards the end of the novel, we can see his life starts to spiral downward, when he starts to write about his death in songs like "If I die tonight" we can see that he starts to become depressed from all the fame. When his death came it shocked the world and ended a creative era in hip hop history. Overall we can see throughout various things he's done that he came from nothing, made his way to stardom and then spiraled downward from the top. This novel is a great read for anyone curious about hip hop and one of the greatest artist that ever lived, Tupac Shakur.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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