16 June, 1971: HIP HOP ICON TUPAC SHAKUR IS BORN

On this day, 16 June, in 1971, legendary rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur was born in East Harlem, New York. Also known by his stage names Makaveli and 2Pac, Tupac became one the last century's most prominent politically conscious artists.

Some say his political education began in the womb. His mother, Afeni Shakur, was a former Black Panther Party member. When her son turned a year old, she named him Tupac Amaru Shakur, after the 18th-century Peruvian revolutionary Túpac Amaru II.

In this clip, Tupac eloquently draws parallels between US foreign policy and the gang mentality prevalent on America's streets. His unique perspective sheds light on the aggressive nature of US interventions, whether it's in Cuba in the late 1950s and early ‘60s or in Yugoslavia in the 1990s (where war was raging when this interview took place). Since then, the US has continued its pattern of interventions, including the invasion and destruction of Libya in 2011.

Tupac was more than a hip-hop hero. He was an activist dedicated to the liberation of Black people in the US. Moreover, he often pointed out the class struggle and the marginalisation and disenfranchisement of people by the global elite. His music and speeches resonated with millions and earned him supporters far beyond the borders of the US.

Does his view of US foreign policy strike a chord with you? Have a listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments.