Tupac Yesterday, Kendrick Today

Something you may not have ever realized is that Kendrick Lamar’s birthday falls a day after Tupac Shakur’s on June 17th. Happy birthday to Kendrick and the late Tupac of course. Kendrick’s album To Pimp a Butterfly was specifically inspired by Tupac. Initially the album was supposed to be called Tu Pimp a Caterpillar. This stands for TPAC. On the song “Mortal Man”, which closes the album, we also hear a soundbite of Tupac speaking with Kendrick.

There are distinct similarities between the two rhymers in their ability to point out disparities in the black community as well as being voices for it. We are unfortunately without Tupac as we see his 50th birthday pass, but as Kendrick Lamar turns 34, we hope he returns from his hiatus soon to contribute another piece of meaningful art for the culture. It has now been a little more than four years since Kendrick last released an album, with Damn in 2017.