As it relates to music, I always seem to measure time by a distinct period. I call it A.T.: After Tupac.
5.30.11 (A.T.)
I wake up–still full from Memorial Day’s cookout festivities– and log-on to my Facebook account to find something that almost sends chills through me. Tupac’s Back–in New Zealand. The whole blogosphere seemed stagnant for about a moment and a half. Come to find out, a group of hackers broke into PBS’ website to create the false rumor.
But let’s rewind the tape a little bit..
5.1.11 (A.T.)
President Obama is on TV, talking to millions across America to announce the death of 9/11 terrorist Osama Bin Laden. It didn’t hit me until the last seconds of his address. The cold walk Barack gave while walking away from the cameras; this has got to be Tupac channeling himself through our President. I mean, who else could pull that off? Was Pac’s dream finally coming to fulfillment? Is what he said in his 1998 posthumous song “Changes”– And although it seems heaven sent, we ain’t ready to see a black President– all apart of his Machiavellian master plan? Before you say I’m crazy..think about it: 10 years after “Changes” premiered, our soon-to-be first black president’s campaign slogan was Change. Just coincidence, right?
4.4.11 (A.T.)
I log-on to Twitter to see ‘Tupac Back’ as a Trending Topic. My spine receives another one of those chills. Come to find out, it’s the newest street anthem by Philly rapper Meek Mill off of the forthcoming Self Made album by Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group. An anthem that would resonate with hip-hop fans across the world and birth countless spin-off’s (“Big Pun’s Back”, “Biggie’s Back”..etc).
6.16.11 (A.T.)
All conspiracy theories aside, surely Tupac Amaru Shakur died 4:03 pm on September 7, 1996. The icon, the myth, the legend that was born June 16, 1971, 40 years ago to the day, lives on forever. So after analyzing the situation very closely for the past two and a half months, I now ask myself: How can Tupac be back when he never left? Happy 40th Birthday Pac!
Tags: 40th birthday, Tupac Shakur
