The culture of hip-hop and the legacy of some artists have received much criticism during the past two decades. At the center of that controversy is one artist who is never forgotten, for better or worse, Tupac Amaru Shakur. Although the legacy of Tupac looms large in urban centers around the world among the popular culture of youth, there has been little attention paid to him as a central figure in the professional literature. This article explores his life and lyrics, placing his contributions and struggles on a cycle of the Maat, Maafa, Sankofa paradigm, challenging critics to rethink his legacy.
Agye, K., & Akoto, A. ( 2000). The sankofa movement. Washington, DC: Yoko InfoCom.
2.
Akbar, N. ( 1994). Light from ancient Africa. Tallahassee, FL: Mind Productions.
3.
Ani, M. ( 2003, October). Healing the African community. Paper presented at the National Association of Black Social Workers , National Academy for African Centered Social Work Institute , Temple Hills, MD.
4.
Ashby, M. ( 2002). The wisdom of Maati: Introduction to Maat philosophy: The ancient Egyptian path to enlightenment through virtue and cosmic attunement . Miami, FL: Cruzian Mystics.
5.
Boadu, S. ( 1990). African oral artistry and the new social order. In M. K. Asante & K. W. Asante (Eds.), African culture: The rhythms of unity (pp. 83-90). Trenton, NJ: African World Press.
6.
Browder, A. ( 1992). The Nile Valley contributions to civilization. Washington, DC: Institute Karmic Guidance.
7.
Du Bois, W.E.B. ( 1903). The souls of Black folks. Chicago : Lushena Books.
8.
Dyson, E. ( 2001). Holler if you hear me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. New York: Basic Civitas Books.
9.
Jennings, R. ( 1998). Poetry of the Black Panther Party: Metaphors of militancy . Journal of Black Studies, 29(1), 106-129.
10.
Kambon, K. ( 1998). African/psychology in the American context: An African-centered approach. Tallahassee, FL: Nubian Nation.
11.
Keeling, K. ( 1999). "A homegrown revolutionary"? Tupac Shakur and the legacy of the Black Panther Party. The Scholar, 29(2-3), 59-63.
12.
Light, A. (Ed.). (1997). Tupac Shakur. New York: Three Rivers Press.
13.
Martin, E., & Martin, J. ( 1995). Social work and the Black experience. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
14.
Mugambi, H. ( 2000). Africa’s walking library. Black Issues Book Review, 2(3), 29-32.
15.
Newton, H. ( 1995). Revolutionary suicide. New York: Writers and Readers.
16.
Richards, D. ( 1980). Let the circle be unbroken: Implications for African spirituality in the diaspora. New York: Nkonimto.
17.
Shakur, A. (Producer), Toffler, V. (Producer), & Lazin, L. (Director). (2003). Tupac resurrection: In his own words [Motion picture] . (Available from Amaru Entertainment Inc. & MTV Networks, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038)
18.
Shakur, T. ( 1999). The rose that grew from concrete. New York: Simon & Schuster.
19.
Shakur, T. ( 2000). The rose that grew from concrete. On The rose that grew from concrete [CD]. Santa Monica, CA: Interscope Records.
20.
Spirer, P. (Director). (1997). Rhyme or reason: Discussing the history of hip-hop an rap as a life style [Motion picture]. (Available from Aslan Productions Inc.)
