Eminem wrote a letter to Afeni Shakur, mother of 2Pac 🙏 Dear Afeni Sorry if it looks a little sloppy, I could've done a little better if I had the right pencils. Instead, I had to draw it in pen. Plus, I just kind of thought of the idea a little too late. But I've been drawing since I was 10, and I thought you might like it. Anyways, thank you for always being so kind to me. You are a true Queen, and I mean that in every sense of the word. I will never forget the opportunities you have given me. You will always be in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers. As I have said before, you have no idea how much your son and his music has inspired, not only the "Hip Hop" world, but, speaking for myself, has inspired my whole career. He was, and still is, the true definition of a "Soldier." When I was feeling at my worst; (before fame, before Dre) I knew I could put that "2Pac" tape in, and suddenly, things weren't so bad. He gave me the courage to stand up and say "F**k the world!" "This is who I am! And if you don't like it, go f**k yourself!" Thank you for giving us his spirit, and yours! God Bless you! Love Marshall

You HAVE to listen to Changes. It's incredible.

If you like story telling, then you should realy check out " Brenda's got a baby". Tupacs lyrics was very real, describing how hard life can be. "Brenda's got a baby" is a tragic story, but it is describing real things. There is also " keep ya head up"..."Papa's song"..."Letter to my unborn child" and many others. Tupac was and is still a legend 🙏

25 years old boy wrote this song. Just amaze me to even think that how could that young boy have very deep understanding about women, mother and her love to the child and put it in the song. Some people really born with special talent and Tupac was on of them.

2pac will always be the goat. Over 700 songs, 7 movies, 75 million records sold, 9 platinum albums, 7 albums after he died... All in about 4 years! He built a very solid legacy in 4 years. Died at 25. Unreal.

1. Tupac's mom is deceased. She was an addict. She was also a black panther. 2. Tupac was robbed and shot in New York a few years before Las Vegas. He has so many gems. I'm glad you are listening. He was so much more than a thug.

My middle child got into a lot of trouble when he was around 16. He got sent away for almost a year. I went to every court hearing every visitation that he was granted. Made sure he had everything he needed even though I was holding a grudge toward him for making me look like a bad parent. When he got released he played me this song and he apologized for everything he put me through. I cried my eyes out, he always plays this song now and is always telling how sorry he is. He will be 20 this year and has come a long way, I love him even more knowing that he did wrong and is not blaming me.

As for clarification, the stretcher scene around 15:00 is in relation to 2Pac being shot for the first time. He was shot twice, but this one mentioned here happened on November 30th of 1994 where he was shot 5 times, twice to the head, but miraculously survived.

"Rest in peace to Afeni, and her son Pac. You gave me that plaque with his rhyme sheet, I haven't forgot." Eminem - Lord Above.

His mum Afeni Shakur unfortunately died in 2016 i think, but she really was incredible. She was a member of the black panther party and her activism continued on even after Tupac's death.

First Eminem… now Tupac. Your channel keeps getting better and better. Good work sir!

So glad you decided to check out Pac. The first time I heard him, I was 12 years old. He was the first artist that made me realize I had to actually listen attentively to the words. The first song I heard was 'Keep ya head up' and I was hooked. I fell in love with hip hop instantly. This man taught me so much about inequalities, and specifically the black community in the US. As a white Canadian in suburbia, I didn't know, especially not at 12 years old. He was the first socially conscious artist I had come across. I definitely learned about my own privilege through his music (and other hip hop artists). He opened my eyes to make me think of more than what was inside my little bubble. I guess you could say he made me "woke". I remember the day he passed. My world was quiet. I mourned along with all others around the world who did. I was 14. He is such a treasure. Miss him so much. He left us way too soon and will be forever missed. 😔 I see you have plenty of backstory here with tons of comments to go through, so I won't elaborate on those or make this any longer lol. Another great video. Thank you. 💙

Damn,looked it up and his Mama died in 2016,and his biological father he was reconnecting with passed away shortly after Tupac's mother.His stepdad is in prison for life.This is heartbreaking

That's an amazing song. Changes, Ghetto Gospel, Keep your Head Up etc. - all worth giving a shot if you'd like to start on 2Pac.

Eminem, one of music's greatest storytellers has said that Tupac is hip hop's greatest storyteller. He's not wrong. The whole stretcher scene in video reflects the incident when Tupac got shot five times at a recording studio in NY, sparking his rivalry with Biggie. He survived obviously, this was two years before he was fatally shot in Vegas. It's such a shame, he could have avoided some of these predicaments but he started to align himself with dangerous people.

I lost my mother when I was 13 I’m 28 now and this song still hits me every time

Continue resting in peace, King! 👑🖤👑 And of course, continue resting in peace, Queen Afeni Shakur! 👑🖤👑

The visual was of Tupac on the stretcher. Before the shooting that caused his death in 1996, he was also shot in 1994. This song was released in 1995, not too long after the 1994 incident. I'm happy he made this song, and got a chance to release it before his death.

I think my favorite part of reaction videos is watching people begin to open up to new ideas. The "gangster culture" at its core is just humans trying to exist in an imperfect society and once you can begin to see them as a different version of you, then the music can take on a new meaning. Tupac - Changes, is your next one. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about. Look forward to more of the journey man

I can't listen to this song without crying. Every single time 🥺

As a single mother of 3 this song makes me have hope my kids will one day appreciate me.

Afeni (2Pac's deceased Mom) was a Black Panther. She was a political prisoner and Civil Rights activist. If you like 2Pac's music then you will love his poetry. His life is very interesting and poetic. Fun fact Madonna and Jada Pinkett-Smith dated 2Pac at different times in his life and have stated how much each one of them loved him even to this day.

This is the official music video, but it was made after Tupac died. Tupac’s mother was a member of the Black Panthers and his father was one of the leaders. Her name is Afeni Shakyr and she died May 2, 2016, almost 20 years after her son who died on my fourth birthday September 13, 1996. EMINEM actually had a friendship with Tupac’s mother and wrote her a letter that you can find a photo of online or in his autobiography. In the letter was a hand drawn picture of her son by EMINEM. EMINEM isn’t just a great musician, dude is a good artist too. He admitted as a teenager he would steal fabric markers and draw on clothing to sell to make money to get by.

My older brother died 4 years ago which lead to my mom having stroke which caused alzheimers and this song kills me but makes me smile at same time cuz she was BEST MOM i could of asked for and BEST OLDER BROTHER, these songs hit me way different now

Brinda got a baby by Tupac 💯 a must

When Tupac left this earth I did not think there would be a artist near Pac’s Calibre of story telling or kind of journey of hardship and struggle expressed through music it’s funny that as Tupac left this earth in 96 Eminem was just starting to come into public eye as a artist!! It was like a great presence died and one was just being born like they past a baton from one great to another!!! Miss you Pac!! Larryshair good choice!!!

Sadly enough, Afeni passed some years back. They also just opened the “wake me when Im free” Tupac museum/exhibit in L.A. which is amazing. If you want some other good story telling songs from pac check out: • Wonder why they call ya Bitch • Shorty wants to be a Thug • Brendas got a baby Thanks Larry

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but, when he saw said “even though you were a crack fiend mama” … he was speaking on his mother Afeni who had struggle with addiction, as most did in the 80s crack era unfortunately. Even though she had that struggle she was still a mom and he recognized that❤️.

"I finally understand, For a woman it ain't easy tryin' to raise a man." "You always was committed, A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it? There's no way I can pay you back, But the plan is to show you that I understand... You are appreciated." This whole song hits me so hard. Not just thinking about my Mother but also when I think about my own son. (Can't relate to the drug/welfare part though.) As a single woman, it is so difficult, trying to raise a boy to be a good man. However, I will continue doing my very best, like I have for the past 12 years he has been on this earth. 💙 I wrote this many years ago: 'My thoughts as a single mother, I see pictures on social media a lot saying, 'Proud Single Mom!' This really bothers me. I am not PROUD to be a single mother. I do not take PRIDE in the fact that my child has no relationship with his father or daily positive male role model. I am not PROUD of picking the wrong person to make a child with. Here are the things I AM proud of; I am proud that my beautiful son calls ME, mommy. I am proud that my God entrusted me with such a wonderful gift to honor, cherish, protect and above all, love. I am proud that I am able to take care of my son on my own and proud of myself for working hard and instilling good values, manners, morals and kindness into my child's every day life. I take pride in the fact that my son trusts me and my judgement. I am proud that he wants ME to kiss his boo-boo's, read him books, teach him things, etc. THOSE are some of the things I am proud of. One thing I am NOT proud of is being a single mother, because the one who hurts the most because of it is the one person I would do anything for, to avoid him feeling any pain. My son. I can teach him a lot of things but I cannot teach him how to be a man.'

I did!!! For Mother's Day '95 or '96. Though in High School I still made my mom creative & thoughtful cards... Parents love handmade. She kept it :) After she passed 24-25 yrs later in 2020 it was in a file labeled with my name in her cabinet.

Tupac- unconditional love is amazing song

Bro, thanx for introducing alot of new generations to great poets. Listen to Bone Thugs n Harmony "crossroads" another great hit of my childhood. I was white living this life in the 90's.. greatful for it. Diversity is the foundation to understanding and bonding as one race..HUMAN

Sadly she passed away in 2016. She did have a drug problem for a while but she did come out of it! When you dont really have options...you do what you can to get the job done! Sometimes that means doing things that are illegal ...things society outside of the poorer neighborhoods dont get! Everybody needs to eat & have a place inside out of the cold! But not everyone can afford it! The slum lords are the Worst!!! Parenting is a Full time Job! lol Wear so many hats you could open your own store! lol Tupac was shot and it's a miracle he lived!!! One of those moments his mom stood by him!

Give “mamas just a little girl” a listen by Tupac

We’ve talked so much about how Brilliant Eminem is, TuPac paved the way for Eminem. The best analogy is, if Eminem is a modern day Rembrandt, TuPac was the modern day DaVinci.

Dear mama was the first 2pac song i ever listened to and that song alone changed the entire genre of music i listen to, I used to listen to modern rap but that brought me to listening to more older and more classic rap and i have 0 regrets

I always loved this song but cannot lie... It brings a tear every time. 🥹

Tupac - changes. You’ve have to have heard this one but it still applies today. It’s a timeless classic and will give goosebumps.

His mom used to be part of the Black Panther movement and was targeted by police. She had gotten on crack, but stopped. She still was a remarkable mother and put him in a school for talented children where he learned acting. Sadly, she passed away a few years ago.

2pac was a poet before he was a rapper. He actually has a posthumous poetry book printed. For me he's part of the Hip-Hop holy trinity (2Pac, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G). He may not have complicated rhyme schemes like Eminem, or "hot bars" like Biggie, but he always had a message in his music. His persona was contagious and his presence was always felt.

Tupac is a poet. His music is poetry. He always has a message behind his music and raps about peace. I love the content! Keep it up! Also, ghetto gospel is a must!

15:08 Tupac had wrote his own destiny for a long time spoke of his prophecy almost like he knew that he was going to die. The video was released after he died but he knew he was going to die. His last words were “fuck you” to the police on the scene of his murder. RIP Black King ✊🏽

Tupac's mama passed away in 2016. I'm glad you like this song I recommend to you and any one of your viewers reading this to listen to the remix of this song featuring Tupac and Boyz II Men. That version of dear Mama is even better than this one if you don't shed a tear on that version there's something wrong with you. I strongly urge anyone who loves their mother who is still around and anyone who loves their mother that has passed away and misses her I strongly guarantee you would like this record God bless. PS I play this version every mother's Day and on my mother's birthday

His mom was a leader of the black Panther party... she EDUCATED him. Great woman she was.

You gotta do Tupac "changes" also Tupac "keep your head up"

It’s funny I cried the first time I listened to this when I was around 15. I apologized to my mom about everything I’ve done over the years probably that night.

Appreciation and understanding for the sacrifices our parents made for my siblings and myself to have the best childhood they could possibly give us. I went to proison at 21 years old and I asked to do my sentence and get it over with instead of corrections and hearing my mom start to cry and try to hug me hurt. Talking on the phone to her afterwords listening to her weep and after all the hell I put her and my dad through she was apologizing to me… for my choices. She felt as though the mistakes I made as a young adult were a product of her Failing me. That wasn’t the case and I told her that I told her I asked to go to prison because I knew I needed help and wasn’t in a place to help myself. Because I knew I’d mess up again and drag it out for years and I wanted to do the right thing by her and my family to keep from hurting them for longer. Looking back now, out of everything that was the testament to how they raised me. Not my addiction or mistakes at the time but to stand up and admit when I’m not being who I was raised to be, and when I make a mistake and face the consequences to better my life and most of all even though I wanted to get out and use terribly bad I wanted even more to not continue to be the reason my mom laid awake night after night crying and frantically calling all my drug buddies or showing up at the plugs house at two in the morning looking for me to ask me to come home for a little bit, I did it cause I never wanted to see that look on her face again knowing I was the reason she almost fell down when I answered the door. I never wanted her n my dad to go to bed wondering if they had two dead children instead of one again. They are the reason I have accountability, respect, and most importantly a desire to show everyone I meet love, they taught me forgiveness, all the hell I use to put them through and there was never not one time they turned me away, they always answered my calls and regardless of how horrible I was doing they made sure I always knew I was loved. I randomly sent her two dozen long stem roses to her job, and a bouquet of her fav. Different colors of random flowers in a china cup as a vase because she deserves it and the notes each said different lyrics of this song and when she got of work she called me and couldn’t stop crying and telling me thank you. She said she has never gotten flowers since her n my dad got together over 30 years ago and it felt good to know that I was able to make her happy enough to cry. Wish I could do more n hopefully one day I will. Love you ma n love you to dad

Tupac started it all.... there would be no Eminem without Tupac. That's why Eminem knelt at the Superbowl half time show.. he was paying his respect to the King.

2pac bout to change your life if u really dive deep into his life, music and poetry

As a massive 2pac fan I just wanna say welcome to great music. Your going to have a great time listening and learning about him

If you want to know something that ties Eminem and Tupac together, Eminem sent a drawing of Tupac to Tupac's mother. He did the drawing in pen, and it looked nice. Then Tupac's mother send Eminem a book with some of Tupac's songs in it that he never got a chance to record.

My friend taught me a word above respect, "reverence"

Aww man so happy you did this one. 2Pac is one of the greatest hip hop artists. He had so much soul and depth…if you liked this, you will definitely enjoy “Keep your head up” and “changes” by 2pac.

i lost my mom 2 weeks ago. this hits different

Until the end of time - also amazing

Tupac Shakur was a fantastic story teller and he connected with all races. Definitely a important artist from my childhood. He has some hard and controversial music but all of it is his story.

Coming from the East Coast, I know I’m supposed to prefer Biggie but Pac just has that heart.

Such a beautiful song. Pac was the greatest storyteller in HipHop. He was like a genius trapped in the hood. He told stories from there like no other. Eminem tells personal stories, but Pac had a way of telling the story of the society he saw on the streets. Pure genius in my mind.

The reason why PAC is thee Rap God is that when the song is from the heart, it takes you on a journey where you actually feel and experience what he’s talking about. Genius how he did it

Another word you can use is inspiring. She is inspiring an example of unconditional love

This was the 1st song that I heard from Tupac then I thought to myself how can I dislike someone that wasn't afraid to dedicate a song to his Mum, then I fell down the Tupac rabbithole, he was a special man, these so many good songs you should react to him and plus as a side note you should react to Kanye's Hey mumma Oprah video

I showed this song to my mom also when I was first listening to this song. Brought a tear to her eye! Love being a mommas boy

Rap Music is relatable no matter which walk of life u come from. Which shows, as it is a global phenomenon.

Afemi Shakur died a few years ago. She represented him well for the rest of her life. She and Biggie's mom worked together!

Thank you!!! I am so glad you finally got to Tupac. His voice was very powerful. He has a large catalog of songs. "Brenda's got a baby", "Only God can judge me", "Changes", "To my unborn child", "R U Still down" I could go on and on

When your goosebumps showed up they brought with them the realness. Earlier in your review you implied that 2Pac's father missed out on his fame...I cringed a little bit when I hear you say that...but your Rutter course correct you when Pac said to his mama, "...my plan is to show you that I understand. You are appreciated." Good stuff.

It was the first time Tupac got Shot in NY in a recording Studio he was going to to meet up with Biggie Smalls to do a song with. When he got to the Elevators he got shot 5 times. Never made it upstairs to Big's room. That's how the beef started East Vs. West Coast. He thought Biggie had something to do with it.😢 Rip to the GOAT Tupac Amaru Skakur.🙏❤💯

His mom gone on to the other side with her loving son. She was a cracked fein and she rosed above it. Great reactions bro.. You are truly in for an indepth ride in to the heart of a brilliant and talented gift to all of us as a people. He was gun down before the black car incident.. awe your so innocent to it all welcome to makveli.

the most authentic reaction i have ever seen to tupac's song. you are appreciated too man

Appreciated your genuine reaction and take on such a talented storyteller. Sometimes people think of rap as something scary or simple minded but it's so deep and incredibly relatable

Truly one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs ever made

I’m warn you the more 2pac you listen. The more you will be addicted to his music

You should do "Hey Mama" by Kanye West too. Great reaction. I'm getting into 2Pac for the first time myself as well, so it's interesting to see your take on his music :)

After he "passed" his mama released a lot of music that wasn't previously released. This was one of them,and probably the best.

This is the only song that makes time stop for me and I get fully wrapped up in it. That as been my reality with this song for around 25 years.

🙏 PAC is very intellectual. You have NO CLUE L.S HOW HE GREW UP. ANYWAYS ❤️

Great reaction. When I was a teenager going thru a hellish time in late 90s, I wrote the third verse of this song and gave it to my mom. All these years later she still mentions it. Love to 2pac, his mom, my mom, and all moms. 💙

On the side note, this song gives me goosebumps every time, even though I heard it probably over few hundred times. I love watching your reactions Larry, cause I lost this first-time experience for many of those songs long time ago, and thanks to you, I can somewhat relieve those feelings. Thanks!

His mom was a Crack adict and she was also such a strong woman she was a BLACK PANTHER who fell on hard times and turned to drugs I did the same ive been clean for 15 yrs now and it aint easy but I truly appreciate more cuz of it and living in fosterhomes.thats why I luv Eminem and 2pac they rap what I lived and lk them I was judged but I luv u are open to it cuz what bars they rap HELP people BELIEVE ME when I say this they ARE TRUE POETS

Afeni Shakur was such an amazing woman and was a former Black Panther. May she forever rest in peace

I recomend Keep your head up by tupac

we need more tupac ! very amazing journey you will have ! his love and passion is so deep

2PAC was more than his bad reputation. He was a true poet. And like many poets, he wrote about his life. And his life... Well... It wasn't cuddles and rainbows. And the sad thing is that he's telling the story of so many.

Larry the visuals you see of Tupac on a stretcher is of when he got shot before the incident that took his life. He survived being shot a year before his death. He was shot in the head and survived. Tragically he was gunned down a year later which resulted in his demise

Love that you continue to cover rap music.

Tupac the best.

Fun fact. Tony Danza is Tupacs favorite actor. He wrote Tupac letters when Pac was in jail. And they became BFF.

That is a photo of Tupac when he was shot 5 times but survived. Tupac and his Mother were both alive when he released this song and also the video, which it makes it so SPECIAL and BEAUTIFUL. Tupac had the chance to tell her what she meant to him before he passed and she got the chance to hear it and also receive it before she passed.

Another great one! You might want to push Pac up the list and dive into his catalog

It's never too late to discover Tupac, great reaction :) The end tries to recreate the whole scene in the New York Quad Studio in November 1994, Tupac got shot five times but survived. You can type the words "Tupac quad studio stretcher" on google image and you'll find a real famous picture of him on the stretcher. And by the way this music video has been done while Tupac was in jail. If you plan to react to more Tupac songs, I'll recommend "Brenda's got a baby", "So many tears" and "Dopefiend's Diner".

This is the Anthem for black single Mothers ( hell all single mother). We STILL RISE

I enjoy your deep love to interpret songs. Your songs. Never before I met a man like you. Your are the man with the biggest heart on earth. Maybe I am your Wonder Woman. Funny .. I didn’t know the movie till today 😁✌️

Love watching your reactions. I really appreciate you diving into all these great songs and new artist for you. I hope you have a blessed day

It’s such a great song. Even though I didn’t go through the same exact experiences Pac went through but there’s so much that is relatable like growing up with a single mom and never giving up on me and no matter the situation she always spoiled me maybe not with money and shiny new things but she spoiled me with love and still does.

Tupac got shot right before he went to prison. This song was on the album that came out while he was in prison.

Tupac got shot in the Quad Recording Studios on November 30 in 94, Manhatten NY. Dear Mama got released on February 21 in 95. The last part of clips of Dear Mama show Tupac getting shot there, as he wanted to enter the elevator. The scene on the stretcher is Pac. There is a very famous picture of him on the stretcher with one hand up showing a middle finger into the camera

You would really enjoy Changes and Keep your head up, they are two of his most meaningful and beautiful songs

Now this is what I've been waiting for reacting to a true poet can't wait 👌

Its the official video. He'd been shot in Nov. 94' and survived. Video was released early 95 so its capturing what was currently happening in 2Pac's life

This is the first Tupac song I ever heard! Love this song!