There were certain aspects of Tupac that were wildly problematic.

But also, he seemed like a brother where like, if he loved you, he had your back forever.

And I think that's a bar, that's a lesson that a lot of us can take from Tupac ultimately.

Coming up on this episode of Black History Year, we're breaking down the legacy of Tupac.

Stay tuned.

He was a poet, a rapper, an actor, a revolutionary. And yet, his life ended like many others, shot dead.

While mainstream media would say that's typical for a young black rapper, we know better.

Tupac's message was one of hope, love, anger, joy, and most of all, blackness.

And no matter how much we may wonder by this death, his legacy continues to give us life.

I'm Dary from Bush Black, and you're locked in the Black History Year.

Many see Tupac's work as a mirror held up to America's face about the realities of injustice

and hatred of black culture.

So today, we're examining what the depth of his work means for our own reflections on liberation

and blackness.

Now leading the charge is the award-winning music journalist himself, Marcus J. Moore.

Marcus has done a little bit of everything.

As a writer, he's authored many texts, including his book, The Butterfly Effect,

how Kendrick Lamar ignited the soul of Black America.

He's also been known to spend vinyl in places like Brooklyn, East Africa, and D.C. And the

managed to release two albums, one compilation of obscure jazz, the other a collection of downtempo,

gospel, and soul. His most recent book, High and Rising, aka the De La Soul Book, is a blend

of cultural biography, memoir, and critical analysis.

...