As I reflect back on “Pac’s Life,” it’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since you’ve been gone. In that time there have been “So Many Tears” over you and your artistry, because that’s just how much of an impact you’ve had on the world.
“Lord Knows” your voice was bigger than hip-hop. You spit that “Ghetto Gospel” like no other, and told us that “They Don’t Give a Fuck About Us” long before Kanye. And even though you were a “Thug 4 Life” who was “Ready 4 Whatever” and would “Let Them Thangs Go” whenever necessary, you were never afraid to let us know what happens “When Thugz Cry.”
“Brenda’s Got a Baby” and now “Shorty Wanna Be a Thug” just like you, but without your guidance “Lil’ Homies” done lost their “Military Minds.” They keep going “Krazy” in the name of “Thug Style,” but only end up on the news labeled “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.” Don’t get me wrong, “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” for preaching your “Ambitionz Az a Ridah,” but I know you had bigger plans for the next generation. Because you were already on the path to being a “Changed Man.”
Whoever it was that chose to “Open Fire” on your car that fateful night, I wish I had the opportunity to look him in his eyes and ask if he realized that he had done “Something Wicked.” How could he take the life of a man that was driven strictly by what he could “Do For Love”? Sometimes I wonder what lies in the “Heartz of Men.”
“I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto” too. If it does, I know that’s where you’ll be sippin’ on “Thug Passion” while spreading “California Love” and “Tradin’ War Stories” with Malcolm, Martin, Ali and even Biggie. Deep down you always knew that rap beef wasn’t “Something 2 Die 4.” So it’s only right that we “Toss It Up” to being young, dumb and “Skandalouz.”
I pray you’ve found your “Redemption.” And “If I Die 2Nite,” I’ll say a “Hail Mary” and leave you with a few “Last Wordz.” As a “Young Black Male” living in this “White Man’z World,” I hear your voice often telling me, “Keep Ya Head Up.” But “It Ain’t Easy” to “Hold On, Be Strong” when every time I turn the TV on I see a world that’s so “Violent.” Still, I know that “Better Dayz” are ahead.
