TUPAC: U.S. SOCIETY LEECHES OFF THE GHETTO

Fifty-four years ago today, on 16 June 1971, hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, who cemented his legacy in the history books before his tragic death in 1996, was born. 

In this candid moment during his 1994 interview with MTV News’ Abbie Kearse, Tupac explained that no matter how far he climbed as an artist and how much he earned, he could not ignore the systemic inequities that Black people face. That is why he used his platform to shed light on these issues. 

Here, he touched on the loneliness Black people who make it out of poor conditions feel when they must live amongst white people because financial success puts one at risk of being robbed in the ‘hood,' a product of centuries of oppression. He also asserted that while the entertainment industry continues to 'leech off the ghetto’ by commodifying Black people's culture and creativity, little trickles back to our communities.

Today, 84.2 per cent of wealth in the US is held by white households, although they only make up 66 per cent of households. Meanwhile, Black households only hold 3.4 per cent of wealth, while accounting for 11.4 per cent of households. Racial disparity, almost three decades since Pac's death, remains pervasive in US society with no end in sight. Even though we still see no changes, his music remains timeless and on playlists worldwide, continuing to inspire the struggle for justice and freedom. 

Happy birthday to one of the greatest to ever blast through our speakers. 

Video credit: @mtvnews