In this full-length biography of the rapper, critic Armond White attempts to make sense of Shakur's life and death, examining the larger issues of rap and ghetto culture, exploitation in the music industry, and the black struggle for self-expression. 16 photos.
The ever-controversial Shakur offers a great occasion for a close, passionate reading of rap and ghetto culture. White's understanding of Tupac's art will uncork the bottled up rage and confusion that attends the way hip-hop culture is produced and received. Rebel details each step in Shakur's development, from his early exposure to racism and political activism to his move from New York to the West Coast and his innovative work with early hip hop culture and music. Through connections drawn between Shakur and Public Enemy, Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Sister Souljah, White examines Shakur's life as a prism for the hip-hop world. Photographs, a useful chronology of important dates in the life of Shakur, and an updated discography and filmography of his career as a rapper and actor are included. Talk about diversity, talk about identity, talk about icons--White's in-depth look at Tupac Shakur talks about all of 'em.--Booklist White has written a nuanced, expansive and impassioned study of the life and art of Tupac Shakur.--Tyrone Williams, Metro Times Literary Quarterly Rebel ... is a means of analyzing the rage, fatalism and rootlessness of the contemporary rap scene.--Select Magazine