Vote Like Your Life Depends On It

Be Heard x theDopeOnes x SourceMediaAgency came together to create a campaign around the VOTE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT TEE. I’m truly inspired to see the youth of Sacramento create this video based on one of my shirts. More importantly it’s based on a statement of FACT. We are living in historic times and these young minds will lead us into the future. Nothing but love to my Be Heard family for putting this together. Major salute to @damienbarling and @morganragan. S/O to everyone involved. 💯💯💯

#VOTELIKEYOURLIFEDEPENDSONIT #BeHeard

Why Tupac Is So Important To Us.

“Has anyone ever told you how important you are!?”

-Maya Angelou to Tupac on the set of Poetic Justice after a scuffle with an extra.

Patent leather Jordans, Sony Playstation and girls I had crushes on (but was too timid to approach).

1996 was a turning point in my life. I was 12.

96 was also was a HUGE year for hip hop, and I was all in. Reasonable Doubt, It Was Written, The Score, ATLiens. So many incredible albums dropped that year. So many superstars had emerged and the genre was rapidly becoming the biggest in the world. BIG, Jay-Z, Nas, OutKast, The Fugees etc. They were the voices of my generation. But the biggest voice, was that of Tupac Amaru Shakur.

Outspoken. Fearless. Revolutionary.

We know his incredible body of work. We know his incomparable life. We know how influential he was and continues to be….

But do we REALLY know why he was so important? I didn’t. At least not until September 16, 1996.

A solider of the indigenous rebel army, Revolutionary United Front (RUF) aka “The Tupac Army” wearing a Tupac t-shirt during civil unrest in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

The day Pac died was the first “where were you” moment I can ever remember. I felt the gravity of it at a young age. It’s definitely a void that will never be filled. He was only 25 when he died. Quincy Jones once wrote in regards to Tupac’s death; "If we had lost Oprah Winfrey at 25, we would have lost a relatively unknown, local market TV anchorwoman. If we had lost Malcolm X at 25, we would have lost a hustler nicknamed Detroit Red, And if I had left the world at 25, we would have lost a big-band trumpet player and aspiring composer — just a sliver of my eventual life potential." But Tupac’s stardom and influence was in full bloom during his life.

7 months before his death he dropped what is widely considered his magnum opus, All Eyez On Me. He was making plans to do a joint album with various East Coast artists to quell the coastal war that was being waged. He also planned to open a community center with Mike Tyson. He wrote a screenplay while serving 18 months in prison called “Live 2 Tell” and was waiting to get it made into a movie. But it didn’t happen. None of it happened. Something else happened instead. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes in Greek folklore, upon his untimely demise, Tupac Shakur became an immortal symbol of perseverance, resistance and activism against inequality.

The posthumous release of The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1997) under the new moniker Makaveli sparked a slew of conspiracy theories that he somehow faked his death and would return like Jesus. You can find some low res videos on YouTube and pics of “proof” that Pac is alive and protesting right now. But that’s just scratching the surface. There have been at least 7 posthumous albums, 2 movies and countless bootlegs, books & documentaries including one of my favorite docs of all time, Tupac Resurrection (2003). But the very essence of who he was reached far beyond rap music. Tupac at his core was a revolutionary. Straight up. His lyrics laden with battle cries of the oppressed about police brutality, single Black mothers and coping with economic depravity and strife within the Black community. In an unearthed, un-aired MTV interview that has recently gone viral, he talked passionately about the greed in this country and exposed the mentality of our current “so-called” president Donald Trump. Prophetic much? This was in his DNA.

Young Pac.

His roots in the struggle start with his mother, Afeni Shakur, who was a top ranking member of the New York chapter of the Black Panthers.

Tupac and his beloved mother Mrs. Afeni Shakur

Mrs. Shakur famously chose to represent herself in court, after being charged with conspiring to carry out bombings in New York City, in what became known as the “Panther 21” case. She was pregnant with Tupac while on trial and facing a 300-year prison sentence . With no law degree and two years of time served she eventually beat the charges and was set free. Shortly thereafter she gave birth to young Pac who was born on June 16, 1971. He was named Lesane Parish Crooks but soon renamed after a Peruvian revolutionary named Tupac Amaru II. His last name was given to him by his stepfather Mutulu Shakur, who remains a political prisoner til this day. In many ways a precedent was set for Tupac’s life even before he was born. It was almost as if it was his destiny to become a prophet.

Over the course of his life and career, activism was a central idea and motivating force behind much of his work. Through his music he was able to reach a much broader audience which yielded global influence.

UC San Diego professor Jeremy Prestholdt described in a 2009 article for the Journal of African Cultural Studies, how Shakur became a widely used symbol during the civil war in Sierra Leone, which began before his death and went on until 2002. The Revolutionary United Front used Tupac T-shirts as uniforms. The rapper was also a symbol in other places including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Libya. RUF members became recognized as the “Tupac Army” by only wearing T-shirts with Tupac’s name and image emblazoned on them.

And I knew very little of this while he was alive…

Granted, I was only 8 when I first heard I Get Around and then saw him play Bishop in Juice, but I immediately knew Pac was DOPE. And even tho I took Biggie’s side during the East/West thing, there was no denying Pac’s brilliance. He was a dope actor, he could survive near death experiences and the passion in his music was undeniable.

Unreleased collab with @thedeadstox

Since his death however, I’ve become a Tupac historian of sorts. But I’m not unique. Pac touched the world. And those who admired him during his life and immortalized him in death have by and large come to a similar conclusion. Rap music was only a stepping stone for what he would’ve become if he was still alive.

“We might fight amongst each other, but I promise you this, we’ll burn this bitch down (if you) get us pissed” - To Live and Die In LA

Tupac was raised to challenge police brutality. It was a constant in his music and in his life. Growing up he was constantly harassed by police because of who his parents were. In October of 1991, before he was a superstar, he was charged with jaywalking and brutally beaten by Oakland PD. Like many, he witnessed the near murder of Rodney King on tape and was compelled to join in the LA Riots while filming Poetic Justice. Today, in 20-motherfuckin-20, the lyrics in I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto and Changes respectively still resonate in a very ominous way. The song “Changes” has become an anthem in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless other unarmed black men and women at the hands of racist, lawless Police.

Instagram @derek_baker

So why now, on what would have been his 49th birthday, do we reflect on the luminary figure who made T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. a staple in the American lexicon. Because his legend continues to grow by leaps and bounds as time goes on. Especially now, when we’re at a crossroads in American society. People are outraged at the system and have taken to the streets to make their voices heard. In doing so we evoke the spirit of Tupac. It’s nothing more than a testament to the unparalleled life he lived. A life cut entirely too short. He was mythical in life. And in death, has taken on a God-like symbolism. A walking urban legend and in my opinion the first singular rap ICON. In 4 short years he released 4 critically acclaimed albums and starred in 4 major feature films. He was a superhuman who shot 2 drunk, off-duty cops and got off. Then, he himself was shot 5 times at point blank range….and lived. Obviously, we all know it sparked the deadly East Coast West Coast war but it cemented Pac as a living legend. Yet he was so much more. A student of the arts, an avid reader, writer, poet. A multifaceted savant who was a culmination of righteousness and rock star.

Snoop Dogg recently stated that he spoke to Biggie after Pac died and his was visibly hurt by the death of his friend, even after the beef. I’m not surprised. So why was he so important? Because Tupac was the best of all of us. Even if he was wrong, or obnoxious or abrasive at times. He was growing. But still well-intentioned and pure. We know that because of the many stories that have surfaced in the wake of his death. The amount of people he touched and dedicated his time and energy to. The indelible mark he left on all of us. He once said “I may not change the world, but I will spark the brain that will change the world" I respectfully disagree. Tupac did change the world. He’s STILL changing the world. He lives through us. Now and Forever. Things are ugly in this country right now but they will get better. Until then we must keep fighting but we must also SMILE like he would want us to.

Happy Birthday Pac. We love you Forever.

Guessing From The Stands Podcast "Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired Pt 1"

Major salute to my brothers on Guessing From The Stands, a sports and culture podcast from the fans perspective. An introspective view into timeline talk with elaboration that actually makes sense past 140 characters. Always for the culture.

This week I was invited on to have a VERY NECESSARY conversation about the state of the world. Thank you to GFTS and salute to all the special guests. Tap In. #BLACKLIVESMATTER #JUSTICEFORBIGFLOYD

Click below for more Guessing From The Stands

Creator of Guessing From The Stands Podcast @EarlGotSole in the OG King Nipsey Tee

"I Can't Breathe" a poem by Nick Hale

I can’t breathe...

same voice echoing from the leaves

next to the strange fruit that hangs from the trees

this time his knee was the noose

take a knee for the truth

how much more video evidence do you need for the proof

hands up, drop to ur knees

still they shoot..not all..but far too many still

young black men, far too many killed

though not all innocent

they didn’t deserve death sentences

another face on the news

all i see is another face in a noose

black versus white

yes it’s great for ratings and views

but that doesn’t take away from the truth

lemme paint a picture for you

imagine that

young black man & your privileged white son

went to the same school

same cafeteria, ate the same food

played the same sports hang with the same crew

killed...

at the hands of you..

now picture your son on the ground

would you have jumped from the crowd?

those standing around

could’ve helped & saved a life but at the cost of their own

But back to your son,

on the pavement begging

pleading for his life & your partners not helping

taking away his last breath

a slow death with ur knee on his neck

as he pleads for his life

is there any regret?

doesn’t matter now...

it’s one breath too late

how many protests & hashtags does it take?

Hands up, drop to your knees, still they shoot..

not all..but far too many still

young black men

far too many killed.

Nick Hale

@NICKHALE_

Nick Hale in the King Nipsey V2 Tee (Blue Hat)

The Murder of George Floyd.

"I Can't Breathe!" -Eric Garner, July 17, 2014



"I Can't Breathe!" -George Floyd, May 27, 2020

Yes. We’ve been here before. We’ve experienced the shock and horror of this before. The excessive force. The criminal behavior of the civil servants assigned to protect us. And against people of color almost always. We’ve seen unarmed Black men unjustifiably murdered in the street before. Too many times in fact. We just saw it two months ago. #RIPAHMAUDARBERY We’ve been ouraged. We’ve been heartbroken. We’ve been in the streets. All too familiar. However, something makes the death of George Floyd very different.

I wanted my first blog post to be something positive but my soul isn’t right. I had to speak on this.

When I woke up Wednesday Morning (May 27th) I was planning on creating a piece honoring Jadakiss, Left Eye and Andre 3000 who all share the same birthday. But instead I woke up to retired NBA veteran and Houston native Stephen Jackson crying on his Instagram page as he talked about his “twin”, George Floyd who was killed by police in the streets of Minnesota. “Cant let this ride dog, yall not gon get mad til it hit yall front door” he lamented while sobbing.

George Floyd with NBA vet and “twin” Stephen Jackson.

Subsequently, I scrolled down my timeline to see post after post of people expressing outrage over the Murder of George Floyd. And then I saw the picture of now fired Officer Derek Chauvin with his knee buried in Floyd’s neck. Disgusting. And then I saw the video. Horrible. I couldn’t get the sound of his voice out of my head. Pleading with the POS cop because he couldn’t breathe, then calling for his mother. I was sick. I was angry. I’m still angry. I couldn’t get that image out of my mind. George Floyd’s head pinned against the ground. And Chauvin, who looked like a hunter who was kneeling on a deer he just killed in the wild. And smirking…

“My people, my people, what can I say; say what I can. I saw it but didn't believe it; I didn't believe what I saw. Are we gonna live together? Together are we gonna live?” -Senior Love Daddy

(Samuel L Jackson, Do The Right Thing 1989)

All I could think was “How many times!? HOW MANY TIMES!??” “And why is it never anyone White?” I don’t wish anything negative on anyone, but why? Why is it always people of color. Why is it always my people!?? Despite being harassed and targeted by law enforcement a few times myself, I’d be remiss if I didn’t speak on the fact that my fair complexion has often yielded me a “pass” when it comes to dealing with the police. But they didn’t show the same courtesy to my younger brother (who is a shade darker with tattoos and dreads) when then arrested him for possession but let his white female passenger go. They didn’t show mercy to my other brother when they pulled him over at gunpoint, handcuffed him to a bumper, told him they would kill him if he moved and then proceeded to ransack his car for NOTHING.

So again I ask why!????

But of course that’s a rhetorical question because the answer has always been the same: Racism is alive and well and its a disease that we need to treat much like we’re treating Covid-19, like a pandemic. Because its alive and its DEADLY, and it’s spreading. If you think its not, and that people of color, particularly Black men, aren’t being targeted daily and the victims of profiling then you’re apart of the problem. It was alive when Eric Garner died in eerily similar circumstances in 2014. It was alive when Ahmaud Arbery was killed in February. Sandra Bland. Philando Castille. Tamir Rice. Atatiana Jefferson. Alton Sterling. Botham Shem Jean. Mike Brown. Stephon Clark. Freddie Gray. Oscar Grant. Travon Martin. Rodney King. Amadou Diallo. Emmett Till…

Its alive in the judicial system, in the workplace, in law enforcement and in the MAGA White House. Not even a post-Obama America can save us from the scourge of systemic racism or a bigoted so called President. But it only affects a certain demographic, which is why it has not been confronted head on. And its why people feel like the only course of action is to fight back. I don’t want to say too much but it’s obvious why we see looting and rioting and outrage. These institutions don’t value people of color. The endless videos of Black men killed at the hands of those sworn to protect us are only sewing the seeds of resentment and rage. If it continues then Pac’s prophetic words will come to pass…

Malcolm X once said, “We have to go to the root, we have to go to the cause. Dealing with the condition itself is not enough and it is because of our effort toward getting straight to the root that people often times think we are dealing in hate.” This is as true today as it was when originally said in 1959. This problem isn’t gonna go away unless we unite and mobilize to demand change which is to eradicate the root of the cause: White Supremacy. The belief and ideology that whites are superior to all other races, especially the black race, and should dominate society is corrosive. Malcolm X also famously said “A racial explosion is more powerful than an atomic explosion” and thats what we’re on the brink of.

We want justice, we want law enforcement reform, we want change. NOW. The officers were fired, but that’s not enough. They need to be arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. We need a message sent to every law enforcement agency in the US that this will no longer be tolerated. My heart goes out to the family and friends of those affected. We will never forget.

To whomever this reaches, please chime in with your thoughts. How do we move forward? How do we see the change we so deserve?

UPDATE: Minneapolis is burning. The Minneapolis 3rd Precent has been taken over by civilians and is burning.

Derek Chauvin has been charged with 3rd Degree Murder.

Continue to put Pressure on DA Mike Freeman to arrest ALL the officers involved. Text FLOYD to 55156 then call 612-348-5550 or 612-324-4499

Sign the petition at: www.justiceforbigfloyd.com

Stay safe. Stay Woke. Vote.

#RIPGEORGEFLOYD

#RIPBREONNATAYLOR

#RIPAHMAUDARBERY

@donisdope

@dopeonesofficial

Donate:
The Official George Floyd Memorial GoFundMe page.