Rebel for the Hell of It The Life of Tupac Shakur

by White, Armond; Fernando Jr., S. H.

• ISBN13: 9781560254614
• ISBN10: 1560254610
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-22
• Publisher: Da Capo Press

Summary

The ever-controversial Shakur offers a great occasion for a close, passionate reading of rap and ghetto culture. White's understanding of Tupac's art will uncork the bottled up rage and confusion that attends the way hip-hop culture is produced and received. Rebel details each step in Shakur's development, from his early exposure to racism and political activism to his move from New York to the West Coast and his innovative work with early hip hop culture and music. Through connections drawn between Shakur and Public Enemy, Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Sister Souljah, White examines Shakur's life as a prism for the hip-hop world. Photographs, a useful chronology of important dates in the life of Shakur, and an updated discography and filmography of his career as a rapper and actor are included. "Talk about diversity, talk about identity, talk about iconsWhite's in-depth look at Tupac Shakur talks about all of 'em."Booklist "White has written a nuanced, expansive and impassioned study of the life and art of Tupac Shakur."Tyrone Williams, Metro Times Literary Quarterly "Rebel ... is a means of analyzing the rage, fatalism and rootlessness of the contemporary rap scene."Select Magazine

Author Biography

ARMOND WHITE, called “one of the most talented young critics in America” by Cornel West, has written for the New York Times, The Nation, the Village Voice, and Essence. He was Arts Editor for the City Sun. He lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Parental Advisory	xiv
Introduction	xv
Memories of Overdevelopment	1	(12)
Rewind to Birth	13	(22)
East vs. Waste	35	(10)
The B-Boy Bounce	45	(11)
Children Will Listen	56	(13)
A Star is Bought	69	(8)
Contrasts	77	(7)
Viewing the Body	84	(9)
Lucky	93	(7)
Trials of the Hiphop Famous	100	(9)
Word is Bondage	109	(7)
Dear Mama	116	(9)
Temptations	125	(7)
In Love with Gangstas	132	(15)
The Charts: Shake it, Baby	147	(17)
Makaveli	164	(13)
``Your Entertainment, My Reality''	177	(15)
Keeping it Reel	192	(9)
Afterword	201	(8)
Works	209	(3)
Timeline	212	(7)
Index	219