Heartbreaking story behind Tupac Shakur's hit single 'Dear Mama' that put him on the path to stardom
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rap legend Tupac Shakur will soon have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Tupac, a prominent rapper, poet, and actor, will be honored posthumously with a star in the recording category on June 7 in a public ceremony at 6212 Hollywood Boulevard. The rapper's sister, Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, will accept the star on his behalf, as reported by People.
Tupac, also known as 2Pac, died more than 20 years ago, but his followers remain influenced by the musical, acting, and social legacy he left behind. His third album 'Me Against The World' celebrated its 25th year of release recently. It has been acclaimed as Tupac's best and most meaningful album. One of the songs on 'Me Against the World,' which at the time set multiple records was 'Dear Mama', a song influenced by and dedicated to his mother Afeni Shakur.
Who was Afeni Shakur?
Afeni Shakur was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, on January 22, 1947. According to Rolling Stone, Afeni Shakur Davis was the mother of rap icon Tupac Shakur and also a political activist. She was an important figure in the Black Panther Party. Afeni died in 2016 after suffering cardiac arrest.
As stated in her son's 1995 single 'Dear Mama,' Afeni Shakur conquered her life as a "poor single mother on welfare." Tupac, the late rapper, devoted many of his songs to his mother who helped to shape his artistic skill and revolutionary zeal. On 'Dear Mama,' a song dedicated to Afeni and later included in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, Tupac declared that "Ain’t a woman alive that could take my mother’s place."
Tupac's first #one single was 'Dear Mama'
'Dear Mama' was the ninth song from Tupac's third studio album, 'Me Against the World', which held a special place in the rapper's heart. He was never embarrassed to discuss his life and experiences in his music, especially when it came to his mother.
The song 'Dear Mama' honors Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur. He describes the sometimes difficult and confusing relationship he has with his mother in the song. He praised her for being a single mother who raised him with dignity and a sense of responsibility for his community. He helped his mother to end her drug abuse and mend her relationship with her son, which led to her eventual sobriety.
The song revealed sensitive facts about Tupac's life and his complicated bond with his mother. Both Afeni and his family lived in poverty and were crack cocaine addicts. At the age of 17, Tupac's mother kicked him out of the house. The artist overcame unpleasant recollections to express his love and admiration for his mom despite the upheaval. The song served as the album's lead single and spent five weeks atop the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, giving Tupac his first number-one single since his 1991 debut. Only five months after its release, in July 1995, the RIAA awarded 'Dear Mama' the platinum certification.
The rapper was grateful to his mother for providing for him and his sister even though they spent the majority of their childhood in poverty. Tupac hardly ever played the song live, but music enthusiasts will always remember it for its unique melody. Radio stations and music networks often play it anew on Mother's Day.
Tupac will get his own star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Twenty six years after his death in 1996, Tupac Shakur will be honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Radio host Big Boy will serve as the event's emcee, and Allen Hughes, the man behind the TV documentaries 'Dear Mama,' and Jamal Joseph, will give a speech as a guest speaker. The Hollywood Walk of Fame will get its 2,758th star with Tupac Shakur's star.
Tupac died in 1996, six days after being shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, at the age of 25. The news about the Walk of Fame follows just two weeks after it was announced that Tupac would have a California street named after him. Following a majority decision by the city council in May, the late rapper will have a portion of a street in Oakland named in his honor.