Tupac Shakur, also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was a seminal figure in hip-hop and a cultural icon whose music and persona have had a profound impact on generations. Born in 1971 in New York City and raised in a family deeply involved in the Black Panther movement, Tupac's art was heavily influenced by his upbringing, reflecting themes of inequality, racism, and violence, but also hope, resilience, and the struggle for a better life. His career was marked by both critical and commercial success, featuring albums like "All Eyez on Me" and songs such as "Dear Mama" and "Changes," which have left a lasting legacy in the music industry. Tupac's life was tragically cut short when he was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996 at the age of 25.
❝I know it seems hard sometimes but remember one thing. Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep ya head up, and handle it.❞ — Tupac Shakur
Tupac was known for his intelligence, articulated through his insightful and poetically charged lyrics. He was an avid reader, known to have read a wide array of books on topics ranging from philosophy, history, culture, and spirituality to art and science fiction. His reading informed his worldview and lyrics, which often explored themes of existential angst, societal issues, and human psychology. Books such as "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, "The Prince" by Machiavelli, and various works by Maya Angelou and William Shakespeare were known to have influenced him deeply, as they helped shape his understanding of power, life, and artistry.
Tupac Shakur's Favorite Books
Last Updated: July 2024
In Contempt
Author: Christopher A. Darden
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date: Dec 21st, 1996
Darden's memoir recounts his experiences as a prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, offering an insider's perspective on the case and its impact on the legal system and race relations in America.
The Prince
Author: Niccolò Machiavelli
Publisher: Independently published
Date: Feb 21st, 2021
Niccolò Machiavelli's seminal work on political theory and the qualities of great leaders, advocating pragmatic and often controversial methods for ruling effectively and maintaining power in a turbulent political landscape.
The Destiny of the Nations
Author: Alice A. Bailey
Publisher: Lucis Pub
Date: Dec 1st, 1987
Bailey's esoteric work explores the spiritual and astrological factors influencing the destinies of nations, offering insights into their roles in the broader evolution of humanity.
Siddhartha
Author: Hermann Hesse
Publisher: Independently published
Date: Apr 27th, 2022
Hesse's philosophical novel follows Siddhartha, a young man in ancient India, on his spiritual journey to enlightenment, exploring themes of self-discovery, inner peace, and the search for meaning.
Here and Hereafter: Have You Lived Before? Will You Live Again?
Author: Ruth Montgomery
Publisher: Fawcett
Date: Feb 12th, 1985
Montgomery investigates reincarnation and past-life regression, presenting compelling case studies and arguments for the continuity of the soul and the existence of previous lifetimes.
Demian
Author: Hermann Hesse
Publisher: Wilder Publications
Date: Sep 17th, 2022
Hesse's novel tells the story of Emil Sinclair's coming-of-age and spiritual awakening, guided by the mysterious Demian, as he grapples with the duality of existence and the quest for self-discovery.
The Life and Truth of George R. Stewart
Author: Donald M. Scott
Publisher: McFarland & Company
Date: Sep 7th, 2012
Scott provides a comprehensive biography of George R. Stewart, detailing his contributions as a novelist, historian, and academic, and highlighting his influence on American literature and environmental thought.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Or The After-Death Experiences on the Bardo Plane
Author: W. Y. Evans-Wentz
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: Sep 28th, 2000
This classic text offers a guide to the afterlife according to Tibetan Buddhism, describing the stages of the Bardo and providing instructions for navigating them.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou
Publisher: Random House
Date: Mar 5th, 2002
Angelou's acclaimed autobiography recounts her early years, overcoming trauma and adversity, and finding her voice through literature and strength of character, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.
Blues People: Negro Music in White America
Author: Imamu Amiri Baraka
Publisher: Praeger
Date: Aug 11th, 1980
Baraka explores the cultural and historical significance of African American music, tracing its roots from African traditions through slavery to the blues and jazz movements in the United States.
Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America
Author: Nathan McCall
Publisher: Random House
Date: Feb 6th, 1994
McCall's powerful memoir recounts his experiences growing up Black in America, from a troubled youth to his transformation into a journalist, highlighting issues of race, violence, and redemption.
The Meaning of Relativity
Author: Albert Einstein
Publisher: Benediction Classics
Date: Oct 25th, 2017
Einstein's own explanation of his theory of relativity, detailing the mathematical and conceptual foundations of his revolutionary ideas about space, time, and gravitation.
The Harder We Run: Black Workers Since the Civil War
Author: William Hamilton Harris
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: Dec 21st, 1982
Harris examines the economic struggles and achievements of Black workers in America from the Civil War to the present, highlighting their contributions and the persistent challenges they face.
The Confessions of Nat Turner: A Novel
Author: William Styron
Publisher: Random House
Date: Mar 5th, 2002
Styron's fictionalized account of Nat Turner's 1831 slave rebellion provides a deep and introspective exploration of the motivations and experiences of the leader of this historic uprising.
Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Date: Jul 5th, 2005
Set in a dystopian future where individuals are systematically controlled and conditioned for roles in a totalitarian society, Huxley’s novel critiques the dangers of sacrificing individuality for technological and governmental control.
Moby Dick
Author: Herman Melville
Publisher: Omni Publishing
Date: Dec 22nd, 2019
In this epic tale of obsession and adventure, Captain Ahab relentlessly pursues the enigmatic white whale, Moby Dick, across the seas, leading his crew into peril as he seeks vengeance against the creature that maimed him.
Native Son
Author: Richard Wright
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Date: Jan 10th, 2023
Wright's powerful novel tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man in 1930s Chicago whose life spirals out of control after a series of tragic events, exploring themes of race, poverty, and systemic oppression.
The State of the World Atlas
Author: Michael Kidron
Publisher: Viking Adult
Date: Sep 1st, 1995
Kidron's atlas provides a visual and statistical overview of global political, economic, social, and environmental trends, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the world's current state.
The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J. D. Salinger
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date: Jul 16th, 1951
J.D. Salinger's classic novel depicts a few days in the life of Holden Caulfield, a disillusioned teenager navigating his way through the challenges of adulthood in New York City.
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting
Author: Syd Field
Publisher: Delta
Date: Nov 29th, 2005
Field's seminal guide to screenwriting offers practical advice on developing compelling screenplays, from structure and character development to dialogue and pacing.
All God's Children: The Bosket Family and the American Tradition of Violence
Author: Fox Butterfield
Publisher: Knopf
Date: Oct 10th, 1995
Butterfield traces the history of violence in the Bosket family over generations, exploring the deep-rooted cultural and systemic factors that perpetuate violence in American society.
The Art Of War: Complete Text of Sun Tzu
Author: Sun Tzu
Publisher: Booklover’s Library Classics
Date: Jun 23rd, 2022
This ancient Chinese military treatise offers strategic insights and tactics for warfare, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, planning, and psychological warfare.
No Disrespect
Author: Sister Souljah
Publisher: Crown
Date: Dec 27th, 1994
Sister Souljah's memoir and essay collection provides a candid exploration of her life, activism, and the challenges facing African American communities, blending personal narrative with social commentary.
Life as Carola: A Far Memory Book
Author: Joan Grant
Publisher: Dawn Chorus Press
Date: Jan 11th, 2010
Grant recounts her vivid past-life memories as Carola, an Englishwoman in 16th-century Italy, exploring themes of reincarnation, historical adventure, and spiritual growth.
All You Need To Know About the Music Business
Author: Donald S. Passman
Publisher: Free Press
Date: Dec 21st, 2024
Passman's comprehensive guide covers every aspect of the music industry, from contracts and royalties to marketing and digital distribution, offering essential advice for musicians, managers, and industry professionals.
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A Raisin in the Sun
Author: Lorraine Hansberry
Publisher: Vintage
Date: Nov 2nd, 2011
Hansberry's groundbreaking play depicts the struggles of an African American family in 1950s Chicago as they confront racial discrimination, economic hardship, and the pursuit of their dreams.
Mysticism
Author: Evelyn Underhill
Publisher: Alicia Editions
Date: May 16th, 2020
Underhill's classic work examines the nature and practice of mysticism, exploring the experiences of renowned mystics and the spiritual paths they followed.
Teachings of the Buddha
Author: Jack Kornfield
Publisher: Shambhala
Date: Mar 9th, 2004
Kornfield's collection brings together key teachings from the Buddha, presenting them in an accessible format that emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and the path to enlightenment.
Home: Social Essays
Author: LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka)
Publisher: Akashic Books, Ltd.
Date: Jan 1st, 2009
This collection of essays by Baraka (formerly known as LeRoi Jones) addresses issues of race, culture, and politics in mid-20th-century America, offering sharp critiques and reflections on social justice and the Black experience.
Part of My Soul Went With Him
Author: Winnie Mandela
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
Date: Dec 21st, 1985
In this powerful autobiography, Winnie Mandela recounts her life and activism against apartheid in South Africa, reflecting on her struggles, resilience, and enduring commitment to justice.
The Great White Lie: Slavery, emancipation and changing racial attitudes
Author: Jack Gratus
Publisher: Hutchinson
Date: Dec 21st, 1973
Gratus examines the history of slavery, the process of emancipation, and the shifting racial attitudes that followed, highlighting the enduring legacy of these issues in contemporary society.
The Bhagavad Gita
Author: Eknath Easwaran
Publisher: Nilgiri Press
Date: Feb 12th, 2019
Easwaran's translation and commentary present this ancient Indian scripture, which dialogues between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, exploring profound spiritual and philosophical teachings on duty, righteousness, and the path to self-realization.
DO OR DIE
Author: Leon Bing
Publisher: Perennial
Date: Apr 10th, 1992
Bing's compelling account provides an in-depth look at the lives of gang members in South Central Los Angeles, examining the social and economic factors that drive gang culture and the human stories behind the statistics.
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The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety
Author: Alan Watts
Publisher: Vintage Books
Date: Feb 8th, 2011
Watts explores the nature of insecurity and the human tendency to seek stability, offering a philosophical perspective that encourages embracing the present moment and accepting life's inherent uncertainties.
The Music of Black Americans: A history
Author: Eileen Southern
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.
Date: Dec 21st, 1971
Southern's comprehensive history of African American music traces its development from African roots through the evolution of spirituals, blues, jazz, and classical music contributions.
The Diary of Anais Nin
Author: Anais Nin
Publisher: Mariner Books Classics
Date: Mar 19th, 1969
Nin's diaries chronicle her personal and artistic life, offering an intimate and candid look at her thoughts, relationships, and experiences from the 1930s onward, capturing her journey of self-discovery and creative expression.