Today marks what would have been Tupac Shakur's 49th birthday. The rapper, activist, and poet was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas back in 1996 at just 25-years-old, and since that time, his legacy has lived on through music, art, and his words of social reform. Many in the industry have posted tributes to the fallen star, including Jada Pinkett Smith who not only grew up with Tupac but loved him very deeply.
To celebrate his life and legacy, Jada Pinkett Smith posted a video of Tupac speaking about how people, like Trump, are more concerned with making and keeping money than they are with distributing wealth in a way to help the marginalized and disenfranchised. She wrote a lengthy caption to accompany the vintage clip:
During this time I often think about the many, many thoughtful debates Tupac and I would have around the relationship between racism, sexism, misogyny, poverty and how they all play a crucial part in the oppression of Black people and other communities of color so that capitalism could exist and thrive. We were tired of seeing our people at the bottom and we were in constant debate of the state of Black youth and what we needed to do to help change the condition of our community. We agreed and disagreed passionately but the one thing we had in common ... we shared a deep love for Black people and a commitment to do our best to spark minds and create change no matter how big or small. I think about what our conversations would be today. His words are still sooooo deeply relevant and inspiring as he watches from above as we march on. He would be so grateful for the courage and passion of the youth today.
Happy Birthday Tupac Amaru Shakur✨
Check it out below.