Who was Tupac influenced by?

Tupac Shakur was one of the most influential and prolific rappers of all time. His music touched millions of people around the world and his legacy lives on today. But who was Tupac influenced by?

Tupac was a voracious reader and was heavily influenced by literature. He was particularly fond of the works of William Shakespeare and often quoted his plays in his lyrics. In an interview, Tupac admitted that Shakespeare was a big influence on his work and that the track “Something Wicked” from his debut album “2pacalypse Now” was a direct quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Tupac was also influenced by other writers, including Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Alice Walker. He was particularly inspired by Hughes’s poetry, which often explored themes of racial injustice and the African-American experience. Tupac often used Hughes’s words to express his own feelings about the struggles he faced as a black man in America.

In addition to literature, Tupac was also influenced by music. He was a fan of jazz, soul, and funk, and often sampled these genres in his songs. He was also a fan of hip-hop and rap, and was heavily influenced by the work of artists such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and KRS-One. Tupac was also a fan of the West Coast rap scene, and was heavily influenced by the work of artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube.

Tupac was also influenced by the people around him. He was close friends with the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., and the two often collaborated on songs. Tupac was also influenced by his mother, Afeni Shakur, who was an active member of the Black Panther Party. He was also influenced by his father, Billy Garland, who was a Black Panther and a political activist.

Finally, Tupac was influenced by his own life experiences. He was a victim of police brutality, and his songs often addressed the issue of police brutality and racial injustice. He was also a victim of poverty and violence, and his songs often explored these themes as well.

Tupac was a complex artist who was influenced by a variety of sources. His music was a reflection of his life experiences, his political views, and the people and literature that he was exposed to. His music was a powerful force that touched millions of people around the world and his legacy lives on today.