Rolling Stone

“[Tupac] was speaking directly to the hearts and issues of young Black men at the time,” Chuck D said. “’Pac was able to take the everyday life that he was even in the middle of and be able to come up with a great song.” Tupac Shakur (often stylized 2Pac) began his career as a roadie, dancer and occasional rapper for hip hop group Digital Underground. His music juxtaposed a wide range of themes and perspectives, from poignant feminist anthems to misogynist and violent tracks to laid-back party songs. Shakur’s debut studio album, 2Pacalypse Now, was released in 1991. Lyrically, the album focused on numerous sociopolitical issues that were relevant to the Black community, including racism, police brutality, incarceration and poverty. Tupac Shakur was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2017.