Rap music was popularized in the 1990s. Many people began to worship the music of rappers. Many rappers rose to stardom during this period. Tupac Shakur was one of two rappers who helped to define the rap revolution in the 1990s. Also known as Biggie smalls. Although they were very similar in their rapping styles, their minor differences resulted in their distinct rapping legacy. Biggie and Tupac rapped in different ways. Tupac was a poet and an authoritative rapper. He was a clear and concise rapper. His lyrics were always meaningful and had a purpose. His intimidating and loud demeanor made his lyrics stand out. Tupac was also an accomplished poet. Biggie was a natural rapper with an effortless flow. Biggie was skilled at making compound rhymes seem easy and had a great rhythm. He was able to weave stories into his raps and had a greater theatricality than Tupac. Many believe that Biggie and Tupac have the best rap skills in the game. Although they are both considered the best rappers, it is difficult to decide who is better due to their distinct rapping styles. Although Biggie and Tupac are both considered the greatest rappers of all-time, their paths to that status were different. Before his fourth album, Tupac was not a well-known artist. Tupac wasn’t considered to be one of the most influential rappers until he died. Although people respected Tupac’s art and respect him, his fourth album was the first time that people began to take him seriously. Biggie, however, was respected and considered one the greatest musicians after his first record. Biggie was able to attain the status of Tupac after only one album. Biggie’s “Ready to Die”, his first album, is more popular than Tupac’s highly acclaimed “All Eyes on Me”, and “Me Against the World”. Biggie is more popular than Tupac and is highly respected in the music industry.
Biggie was a different image from Tupac than Biggie. The 1990’s saw Tupac as the ideal example of young African American males. He was honest and open with his audience. Because he had lived through the struggles of humankind, Tupac was in a position to touch everyone’s heart. Biggie was also faced with similar struggles, but he had a much more enjoyable way of displaying them. Biggie could convey sad or dark messages in his music but it was more enjoyable. Biggie’s music was not for people with special needs, but was accessible to everyone. Biggie’s songs were accessible to everyone, even those who couldn’t relate to them. Biggie and Tupac both had strong musical voices, but their communication styles were very different.
Although it may appear that Tupac & Biggie have nothing in common other than being rappers in their twenties, this is far from the truth. Biggie and Tupac both were born in New York. Tupac, however, is synonymous with the west coast. Both Tupac as Biggie grew-up in similar circumstances. Both grew-up in ghettos populated with drugs, crime, gangs, violence and other criminals. They both had hardworking moms and no father figures in their lives. Both young men became involved in drug dealing as a way to earn a living. Both were killed by gang violence. Both of them were in rival gangs. This caused them to fight and resulted in drive-by assassinations. While there is much debate about Biggie and Tupac, many forget that they were once friends and were inspired each other.
