This is just my humble opinion. I’m sure if you ask a hundred different people you would get a hundred different answers.

5. Changes – 2Pac

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How something this great can be number 5 shows just how great Tupac is. I went with the acapella because it speaks to how powerful the song is; you can listen to it without a beat and still feel it.

Standout line: “It’s time for us as a people to start making some changes. Let’s change the way we eat, let’s the change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other……”

4. Letter 2 My Unborn – 2Pac

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Like so many Pac songs, this is one of those that I love to just listen to on Summer evenings. Windows down, stereo up – just me, my thoughts, and this powerful track. The beat, the chorus, and of course Pac’s vocals give it all the makings of a classic song.

Furthermore, the concept of writing a letter to your unborn child is one that resonates with me; I go about my day as if I have a child on the way and everything I do is for him, her, or them.

Standout line: “Been shot 5 times but I’m still breathing, living proof there’s a God if you need a reason”

3. Me Against The World – 2Pac

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Here we get to the dark side of Pac; complete with whispered ad-libs and all. He came to bring the pain, as he proclaimed on the hook. I can only imagine how many drive-by shootings this song might have inspired. Pac was one of those people that sometimes could lose it. This song shows someone who was ready to die and to kill. He felt betrayed, he felt threatened, he felt he was backed into a corner. If you know anything about strong minded individuals you know putting them in a corner brings out their best and their worst. This was Pac at his best and worst.

Standout lines: “When I die, I wanna be a living legend”. “All you busta’s is jealous, pull your gun out and blast. I dare you n*ggas to open fire, I’ll murder that ass”. “Busta shot me 5 times, real n*ggas don’t die”. “My only fear of death is reincarnation.”

2. Keep Ya Head Up – 2Pac

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This was 2Pac at his finest. Using music to reflect and empower. The Five Stairsteps “Ooh Child” sample couldn’t have been utilized any better. Like Marvin, like Curtis Mayfield, and so many others, 2Pac was able to make songs that spoke to those who felt lost while making it catchy enough to have Pop appeal.

Standout line: “Tupac cares, if don’t nobody else care”

1. Dear Mama – 2Pac

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Number one easily. The song starts off with Pac stating to his mother, Afeni Shakur, “you are appreciated”. Once again Pac samples a classic tune, “Sweet Sadie”, to help him get his point across. The point on this one was simple – he understands that his mother was far from perfect but nonetheless he appreciates her.

Standout line: “And even as a crack fiend mama, you always was a black queen mama”

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Sometimes when I’m alone
I Cry,
Cause I am on my own.
The tears I cry are bitter and warm.
They flow with life but take no form
I Cry because my heart is torn.
I find it difficult to carry on.
If I had an ear to confide in,
I would cry among my treasured friend,
but who do you know that stops that long,
to help another carry on.
The world moves fast and it would rather pass by.
Than to stop and see what makes one cry,
so painful and sad.
And sometimes…
I Cry
and no one cares about why.

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June 16, 2010. Tupac Shakur would have been 39 years old. He was tragically murdered almost 14 years ago and still to this day his music, words, influence, and legacy lives on; probably will do so forever. Why? Because the man lived life with a purpose. He had his fun, he messed with women, smoked and drank, but the true essence of Tupac was to stand for something.

Me personally, I hold Pac in a very high regard. His music, his acting, his passion for women; all things that I admire. It’s ironic that Pac was a poet because this particular website was started to serve as a platform for free-writing, creative discussion, artwork, and of course poetry. I’m guilty of sitting back and hoping others would believe in such a platform and help me get this website off the ground. It’s had it’s moments and I thank all those who’ve helped up to this point but if there’s anything I learned from Tupac it’s that we can’t wait for anything or anyone. We get one world and one life.

So with that said, I plan to give this passion project the proper attention it deserves, starting today. It may be photo’s, it may be videos, it may be poetry or music, but it’s going to always be something that’s going to help someone somewhere some time.

R.I.P to Tupac and thanks for the reminder.

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Jay-Z makes ice cold moves on a weekly basis it seems. So much that I think we take it for granted just how far he’s come as a person, business man and artist. To think that 10 years ago the big picture was him in jeans shorts, white tee and bucket hat being stuffed in an NYPD wagon. Now here is with “the billionaire boys and some dudes you never heard of”. Applaud that man.

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Our old friends over at Illusive Media have been on a tear lately. Aside from their work with the Clipse, they now have Lupe Fiasco’s latest visual to add to the resume. Certainly no losers with this one.

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Last night myself (Phella) and DJ Laser attended the 2 Year Anniversary for Stuff Fly People Like in Brooklyn, NY. It was at the Mocada Museum where currently an exhibition about gentrification in Brooklyn is currently being held. So it was basically a two for one. Had a chance to mingle with some old and new industry faces, and was able to view some GREAT ART in the process. I mean great. The exhibit is running till May 16th and I suggest you check it out whether you’re from Brooklyn or not. It sheds light on the dark side of gentrification from the perspective of several talented artists.

My Blackberry can’t really do the artwork justice but here’s a few.

As for the party….courtesy of Stuff Fly People Like.

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It’s talented women night over here at Da Fam Ink I guess. This is crazy. Spotted over at my homegirl Pristina’s blog. She’s sick with it.

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Babygirl has been working hard since the day I met her (some time back in ‘08) and hasn’t stopped since. Seems the rest of the world is starting catch on to what I saw then. Keep going!

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Can’t say we never gave you anything. Play pool with our friends over at Skc and possibly walk away with great prizes.

Faces of Skc: 8-Ball Challenge
April Amazement
First Come, First Serve
64 Competitors
Win to Proceed; Single Elimination
April 24, 2010 @ Side-Pockets
Start Time: 8:00 pm

PRIZES

Champion: Apple I-pad , Championship Trophy , Top 4 Medal, & Top 32 Pin

Runner-Up: Ipod Nano, 2nd Place Trophy, Top 4 Medal, & Top 32 Pin

Top 4 Males: Medals

Top 4 Females: Medals

Most Stylish Male: Stylish Plaque

Most Stylish Female: Stylish Plaque

Top 32: Pins

Unsung Hero Award: For bringing in the most competitors

Four Brackets:
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
London

Head to the Contact section of www.spoiltkidcompany.com for rules and more info on how you can be part of this event.

Address:

Side Pockets Bar & Grill

904 Upper Fairlawn Ave
Laurel, MD 20707
(Located in Laurel Shopping Center- Behind Books-A-Milion)

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Mad I missed Martin on tour. This guy can’t be unfunny if he tried. The Obama dance towards the end of the first clip is priceless.

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Singer Usher reportedly sold 329,000 copies of his latest album, ‘Raymond vs Raymond’. It had been long speculated amongts music industry insiders that Usher’s days were behind him; especially following the lackluster performance of his cd ‘Here I Stand’. A stronger marketing campaign (sporting events, in-store appearances, etc) this time around along with a few chart topping hits (“Little Freak” and “Hey Daddy”) seemed to have reignited the megastar’s following. Congrats to you Usher. Comebacks are always welcome here at Da Fam.

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If you’re not aware by now, DJ Laser has a brand new radio show called “Mixtape Thursdays”. From 7pm to 9pm every Thursday Laser will spin the newest and most exclusive records from some of your favorite artists, but more importantly, artists you may not be so familiar with. Radio used to be a place you could discover new music and new artists, now once again you can get that delivered to you the Laser way.3

Each week you can tune in live from your computer, Blackberry, or iPhone at www.wesoliveradio.com or download the full broadcast at Laser’s website or here at Da Fam Ink.

Get Last Week’s Show Here

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