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Tupac Shakur, better known as just 2pac, was a legendary rapper who changed the hip-hop landscape forever. My favorite 2pac album is All Eyez on Me, which featured classics like Ambitionz Az a Ridah and California Love.
He was not only a prolific musician but also a talented actor and fashion icon. His sense of style and general aesthetic greatly impacted the culture and helped elevate him as a cultural figure. Here is Tupac’s Aesthetic Explained.
Who Was 2pac?
Tupac Amaru Shakur, better known as just 2pac, was a rapper and actor among the most influential and best-selling artists of all time. 2pac was born in New York City to parents who were part of the Black Panther Party. His mother Afeni named him after the Peruvian Revolutionary Tupac Amaru, who led a large rebellion against the Spanish in the 18th Century.
Afeni struggled with substance abuse problems and eventually moved the family to Baltimore, Maryland. After that, 2pac attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, studying acting, poetry, jazz, and ballet. At the school, he also developed a friendship with actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who later appeared in one of his early music videos. At 17, 2pac relocated to Marin City, a community in California’s Bay area.
He got his start in music as a backup dancer for the alternative hip-hop group Digital Underground. He made his recording debut on the track Same Song for the soundtrack to the film, Nothing but Trouble.
He dropped his debut album 2pacalypse Now in 1991, which featured classic tracks like Brenda’s Got a Baby and Trapped. He would release three more albums before his death, including Strictly 4 My N******, Me Against the World, and All Eyez on Me. My favorite 2pc albums were his later works like Me Against the World and All Eyez on Me.
Even though his earlier projects showed flashes of his genius, his sound was much more refined and focused in his later work. He also starred in a few classic films of that era, including Juice, Poetic Justice, and Above the Rim.
2pac was also known for his feud with fellow rapper Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious BIG. Initially, the two were friends, but their relationship soured after 2pac was set up and shot at Quad Studios in New York City. 2pac believed that Biggie had something to do with the shooting, which Biggie denied. But it set off one of hip hop’s most famous beefs that lasted until the two were killed a few years later.
On September 13th, 1996, 2pac was shot at a stoplight on Las Vegas Boulevard after he and Death Row Records founder Suge Knight had just left the Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand Hotel. He was rushed to the hospital but tragically passed away a few days later.
Since his death, there have been numerous conspiracy theories about 2pac’s murder. Some speculate that it was part of the East Coast – West Coast beef sparked by his feud with Biggie Smalls, and others claim that he faked his own death to avoid the spotlight. To this day, his murder remains unsolved.
Why Was 2pac So Iconic?
Even though 2pac’s career was cut short in its prime, he is still considered one of the most influential artists of all time. Many factors helped elevate him to icon status, including his politically charged lyrics, his forays into film, and his iconic fashion sense.
Tupac had a lyrical style, unlike any other artist before him. His lyrics were aggressive and confrontational yet also eloquent and poetic. His parent’s membership in the black panther party likely inspired some of the social commentary prevalent in his music. His time at the Baltimore School for the Arts also taught him to hone his skills as a poet and captivate an audience.
2pac was also one of the first rappers to transition into film and show real talent for acting. He had a natural charisma and charm that made him a star and allowed him to captivate fans through multiple mediums. Today, it’s commonplace for musicians to branch out into other ventures, but 2pac helped pave the way for rappers to build brands and explore different mediums outside of music.
Finally, 2pac’s unique fashion sense also helped elevate him beyond just a respected MC. Rappers have always been trendsetters, but 2pac had a unique style that helped set him apart from other artists of the day. He channeled his rebellious energy through his fashion choices, but his taste for the finer things never took a back seat.
Here are some of the most iconic elements of his fashion style.
Elements of 2pac’s Style
Bandanas
Bandanas were an essential part of 2pac’s aesthetic and one of the most recognizable elements of his wardrobe. He wore his bandana in a particular way, wrapped around his head and tied in a bow with the knot slightly eschew from the center of his forehead.
Many famous photos of the rapper show him wearing a bandana in this style. Bandanas are also associated with California gang culture, which added to the sense of rebellion synonymous with 2pac’s brand. This is one of my personal favorite elements of 2pac’s style because it represented him so well.
Leather Vests
Another essential part of 2pac’s aesthetic was his appreciation for leather vests. He was often photographed wearing a simple leather vest with a white T-shirt, turtleneck, or no shirt underneath.
In one classic photo for New York Times magazine, 2pac can be seen alongside Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, wearing a leather vest with suspenders. This choice was a perfect example of how 2pac could blend high fashion with street culture and pull off a tasteful and defiant look. Few other artists could pull off a similar look, which is part of what made 2pac such an icon.
Oversized Jeans
Oversized jeans with exposed boxer shorts and large belts were another essential part of 2pac’s wardrobe. Although this particular look was nothing entirely new for hip hop, 2pac was one of the artists who made it popular. Pac was good friends with fashion designer Karl Kani, who also helped merge the worlds of high fashion with street culture.
2pac modeled for Kani’s brand on numerous occasions and took a lot of inspiration from the designer. Baggy denim jeans with designer belts and other accessories was a look that was heavily inspired by Kani’s approach to fashion, and it’s a trend that has become synonymous with that era of rap.
Versace
Long before Migos were rapping about Versace, 2pac was a big supporter of the brand. Today it’s normal for rappers to reference designer brands, but in the 90s, it was still a fairly new phenomenon. 2pac was one of the artists responsible for bringing the brand into the hip-hop lexicon.
In 1995, Gianni Versace himself invited 2pac to participate in his upcoming fashion show, which he gladly accepted. The following year he appeared on the runway in Milan alongside his girlfriend Kidada Jones, dressed in a gold Versace suit. Tupac even launched into a performance of California Love at the end, which had the crowd going wild.
So, while 2pac is far from the only rapper to rep the brand, he’s still the only artist to be a model in one of their fashion shows. I love that 2pac was willing to be so bold with his fashion choices, even if they seemed to clash with his social justice message. But it was these contradictions that made 2pac such a compelling figure.
Thug Life Tattoo
Perhaps the most iconic element of 2pac’s personal style wasn’t even a piece of his wardrobe but the Thug Life tattoo that he had across his stomach. This tattoo has been mimicked and parodied countless times in popular culture and remains one of the most recognizable parts of 2pac’s brand.
2pac got the iconic tattoo at Dago’s Tattoo in Houston, Texas, in 1992 by the owner of the shop Dennis “Dago” Coelho. In an interview, 2pac revealed that it was an acronym that means “The Hate U Give Little Infants F**** Everyone.”
The phrase is both a symbol of Tupac’s rebellious lifestyle and a determination to succeed in life in the face of blatant prejudice and racism. It’s an essential part of 2pac’s aesthetic and revealed much about his struggle to be accepted by American society.
Army Fatigues
Camouflage and army fatigues were other vital aspects of 2pac’s wardrobe. He often wore army jackets and even showed up to the 1995 Soul Train Awards in a camouflaged suit with a black beret and leather gloves. The symbolism behind this was similar to the Thug Life tattoo – 2pac saw himself as a soldier fighting against an unjust system.
This particular outfit was likely inspired by his mother’s membership in the Black Panther Party, who was known for wearing black berets and displaying other signs of militance. 2pac’s fashion sense was about more than just looking good, it was rooted in social and political commentary, and no trend embodied that more than his use of military gear.
Knit Suits
Another iconic part of 2pac’s wardrobe was knit suits and sweater vests. He was known to rock formal wear from time to time, but even when he was looking clean-cut, he still had his own unique sensibilities. His suits were often a bit baggy or oversized, showing off his swagger even at a formal event.
The sweater vests were an even more endearing aspect of his personal style, showing he had a softer side despite his gangster persona. This look seems a bit dated now, in my opinion, but it still solidified 2pac as an iconoclast who did things his own way.
Nose Ring
Another iconic aspect of 2pac’s aesthetic was the diamond stud he often wore on the right side of his nose. While diamond earrings were nothing new in hip hop, 2pac was one of the first rappers to have jewelry on his nose.
Today, it’s fairly common for rappers to get their nostrils or septum pierced, but 2pac was the one who started that trend. It was a sign of his status as an iconoclast and showed that he was an individual that set his own trends.
The diamond-studded nose ring that 2pac wore on the cover of his final album, All Eyez on Me, was recently sold as an NFT, allowing the purchaser to own the physical diamond stud and the digitized title to the property. Personally, I’m not sure who would want to own 2pac’s used nose ring, but it is still a part of history that should maybe be donated to a museum.
Gold Chains
Gold Chains were another essential part of 2pac’s wardrobe. Although a common trend in hip hop, 2pac had several custom pieces that have since become iconic. Perhaps the most famous was the gold Death Row chain he received from Suge Knight after signing to his label.
The chain features the record label’s iconic logo, made out of diamonds and 14k gold. The diamond and gold pendant that 2pac was wearing when he was shot in NYC in 1994 was put up for auction for $125,000 in 2016, but his estate contested the sale, claiming that they did not give their permission.
Workwear and Overalls
2pac was a man of the people, and he often showed his solidarity with the working class by sporting a more down-to-earth look that included workwear and baggy overalls. His friendship with Karl Kani likely influenced this trend, who was famous for restyling brands like Dickies and Carhartt to have a more urban look. 2pac even had his own custom Dickies overalls with the words Thug Life written across the stomach that Kani designed.
2pac’s Influence Today
2pac’s Influence extends far beyond the realm of music into fashion, film, art, and various other mediums. His music directly impacted modern-day superstars like Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West, who took inspiration from the way he blended rebellion with social commentary.
2pac was not only a rapper but a creative renaissance man and social activist who overcame the odds and proved that you could be financially successful while remaining true to yourself. He’s also had a significant impact on today’s style trends, setting the standard for how rappers act and dress. From his tattoos to his love for Versace to his iconic nose ring, you can see 2pac’s personal style elements throughout the hip-hop landscape.
2pac was an icon and a trendsetter who was tragically killed before he could reach his full potential. But in the short time he was active as an artist, he inspired the world and created the blueprint for how future generations would brand themselves as artists.
FAQs
Answer: Even though 2pac got his start on the West Coast and was affiliated with California-based artists like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, he wasn’t originally from California.
He was born in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York, then later moved to Baltimore in high school. He moved to the Bay area at Age 17, which is where he got his big break in the entertainment industry. So even though he repped the West Coast, 2pac spend most of his life on the East Coast.
Answer: 2pac was close friends with actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who he met at the Baltimore School for the Arts. He and Jada developed a close relationship and would often send each other letters and poems.
However, Jada has stated that they never officially dated and that their relationship wasn’t sexual. She admits that she had a deep love for 2pac and that early in their relationship, her husband Will Smith was even jealous of their connection. But the two were never more than close friends.
Answer: In the mid-90s, 2pac was going through some legal and financial problems. In November 1994, he was convicted of sexual assault and was sentenced to 18 months to 4.5 years, with a bail set at $3 million. He was unable to post bail, so he was forced to serve his sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility and later Rikers Island.
At the time, 2pac was signed to Interscope Records, but they weren’t quite sure how to handle his volatile career. Death Row was distributed by Interscope, and Suge Knight had a relationship with the label’s founder, Jimmy Iovine. Suge had an interest in 2pac and persuaded Jimmy Iovine to let him take over his contract. He then got in contact with 2pac through his wife Keisha Morris and went to visit him in jail.
Suge agreed to bail 2pac out of jail if he signed a three-album deal with Death Row, which he accepted. So, Suge posted a $1.4 million bond, allowing 2pac to be released while he appealed his conviction. Not long after that, he began work on the seminal project. All Eyez on Me, which would be released on Death Row Records in February 1996.
Answer: 2pac was heavily influenced by Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, NWA, Big Daddy Kane, KRS One, and many other prominent voices who spoke on political issues in their music. He was also inspired by fashion designers like Karl Kani and Gianni Versace.
While he was in jail, he read a few important books which had an influence on his later albums, including The Art of War by Sun Tzu and The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. Toward the end of his life, 2pac even started going by the name Makaveli, which he is credited as on his final album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.