Michel Haddi presents... a "TUPAC – THE LEGEND " Photography Book

I said you know my friend, you are a young Martin Luther King...

...says renowned photographer, Michel Haddi, while recalling the first time he met Tupac.  Haddi is releasing a 45x30cm photo book dedicated to the Legend containing 40 images he captured of him, on Galerie Art gloss paper.  Designed by Creative Director, Roberto Da Pozzo, each of the 500 copies will be personally hand-signed by Michel Haddi.  50 of those copies will be a limited edition presented in a black box that includes an 11x14in print; also hand-signed.  

Tupac Pop-Up Restaurant Open for a Limited Time

 Previously, the pop-up location appeared with Nas' Sweet Chick restaurant in NYC a few years back.  Last Thursday 06/16, the late great Tupac Shakur's Powamekka Cafe' returned on his birthday... this time in LA.  Pac's estate has launched the Powamekka Cafe' for a limited time at the Fixins Soul Kitchen, across from the recent 'Wake Me When I'm Free' Tupac museum @ LA Live.   

It's been reported that Tupac visioned this concept while alive, describing it as a place where people can 'play and parlay'.  From now through the end of June, you can enjoy the pop-up with your choice of some soul food favorites: fried chicken, mac n cheese, candied yams, catfish, gumbo and more.  

Jasmine Guy has an Afeni Shakur Biopic in the Works... "Peace, Love, & Respect, the Afeni Shakur/Panther 21 story". #BlackHistoryMonth

Many know Alice Faye Williams as Afeni Shakur... the mother of the late and unforgettable Tupac, but know little about her personal story.  Authorized by the Shakur estate, it was announced that a biopic is in the works from Jasmine Guy and Jamal Joseph as executive producers.  Afeni was a prominent member of the Black Panther party and her story will now be visually told through "Peace, Love & Respect, The Afeni Shakur/Panther 21 story".  Joseph adds a special light from personal experience as he was one of the 'Panther 21' arrested with Afeni in 1969.  Dina LaPolt, who has worked with the Shakur estate for an extended period of time, will serve as the producer.   

"Peace, Love & Respect, The Afeni Shakur/Panther 21 story" is said to cover this crucial two year time period: April 2, 1969 where Afeni and 20 other black panthers were arrested and charged on conspiracies to bomb NY police stations, through June 16, 1971.. the day Tupac was born.  In addition, childhood and adolescent flashbacks will trickle within.   

For those wondering, Afeni became pregnant while

Obey Your Verse:: Missy Elliott, Tupac Shakur, & J.Cole on new SPRITE can series

SPRITE has returned for their second 'Obey Your Verse' campaign, this time around featuring Tupac, J. Cole, and Missy Elliott.  As with the last campaign, this series will highlight a total of 16 cans with lyrics from each artist on their own.  

The campaign will run through the peak of the summer from June 20 through August 15.  Visit SPRITE's official Tumblr page for more photos!  

Related Post :: Obey Your Verse:: Nas, Notorious B.I.G, Rakim, & Drake Lyrics on new SPRITE can series

{WATCH} Trailer :: 'All Eyez on Me' Tupac Biopic

Released fittingly on Tupac's 45th birthday last week (RIP), here's the first look at the official trailer for the 'All Eyez on Me' biopic... set for release in theaters this November.

Related Post ::  Happy Birthday Tupac...

Related Post ::  Indie Trailer :: "7Dayz", a film about the last week of Tupac's Life.

Indie Trailer :: "7Dayz", a film about the last week of Tupac's Life.

Gobi Rahimi, who directed and produced videos for 2pac and Deathrow during their reign in the 90s, has launched an idea for his own movie about the late rapper.  His film will focus on the last 7 days of Pac's life- following the shooting in Las Vegas.  Rahimi says

"I was waiting for Tupac at Club 662 in Las Vegas after the Mike Tyson fight on September 7, 1996.. 

...This was the first of an emotional seven days that I sat guard over Tupac, who was in an induced coma..

....7Dayz is the story of my experience at the hospital amidst death threats, undercover FBI informants and an uncooperative police department.. "

You may read the rest of that quote over at his CrowdFunding site, where he is seeking to raise $500K as money for the project.  You can view/donate HERE. 

Watch the trailer below::

Happy Birthday Tupac...

For some reason, this song resonated with me today the moment I thought of Pac and creating a post. I still haven’t quite figured out why this one specifically but it has been stuck in my mind since this morning. Although this post won’t be as extensive as others in the past, the recognition is still pertinent. Today would have been his 43rd birthday. Lesane Crooks .. Tupac Amaru.. Your words will continue to live. Sending grooves to the heavens. Rest in Peace.

Related Post: Tupac Back... 40th Born Day
Previous Post: Tupac-Inspired musical, "Holler If Ya Hear Me", hits Broadway in June...

Photos: American Vintage Ads reimaged with Aaliyah, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell, B.I.G., and more ...

I saw a few of these the other day, but finally got a chance to review the entire collection. Wow. French art director and designer, David Rendon, unleased his vision of re-imaged American vintage ads and marketing posters using song titles related to the music artists' in the form of a theme. The poster series is titled 'Ads Libitum'. Creativity executed to awesomeness. View below::

Tupac-Inspired musical, "Holler If Ya Hear Me", hits Broadway in June...

In 2006, the critically acclaimed (and I may personally vouch intellectually down to earth) Michael Eric Dyson released a book with the title 'Holler if You Hear Me' featuring Tupac on the cover.  Now in 2014, that phrase, which is the opening track of Pac's 1993 sophomore album Strictly 4 my N.I.G.G.A.Z ,has taken a new height to become the title of a Broadway play...Directed by Kenny Leon.   Unlike Dyson's book, this will not be a 'biographical' story, but rather an original musical inspired by Tupac's lyrics.  The Broadway musical (written by. Todd Kreidler) will use songs like 'Me Against the World', 'Keep Ya Head up' etc. to backdrop a narrative about friendship, family, revenge, change, and hope; inner city lives struggling for peace against daily challenges.  While the cast has not been announced yet, the opening date has.  Holler If Ya Hear Me will open June 19th at the Palace Theatre in New York.  This just goes to show... great music will always live on..

 

Hit Em Up| Tyga x Jadakiss x 2Pac

We about that action…

Ya’ll ain’t about nothing..

Set to appear on Tyga’s Hotel California… dropping in 8 days. 

Video: Snoop & Tupac @ Coachella 2012

Yea.. you read that right.  Tupac was at Coachella.  Not physically... but in the form of a "hologram".  This isn't the first time I've seen this implemented on someone's performance set.. however.. they did a damn good job with this one.  It brings Joy and an Eerie feeling at the same time.  Peep for yourself..

15 years later.. RIP Tupac

On this day in 1996, Rapper/Actor Tupac Shakur succumbed due to gun shot wounds.  Many acknowledge  his great music, but I wanted to shine light on the fact that he was, also, a GREAT actor.

  Gone too soon...

Over a decade later... 'Pac is STILL a topic of discussion.  He will never be forgotten. 

Tupac Back... 40th Born Day

Tupac Amaru Shakur would have been 40 years old today. Happy Birthday Pac. Another entertainment legend..from music to movies.. gone too soon. *Sigh.

RIP June 16, 1971- September 13, 1996

My fav. line in Juice "I'll tell ya mama you ain't shxt"- Bishop (Pac's Role)

Women's Empowerment Wednesdays :: Keep Ya Head Up | 2Pac

This hit home ridiculously today more than anyone could imagine... for one particular reason.If you're going through anything right now ladies... remember what i remind you of every Wednesday... You are BEAUTIFUL and needed. You're special. Hold your head up high. Walk with dignity. I know it's hard... but we were built to endure the worst pains (Love, Cramps, and Childbirth) and yet and still remain strong enough to mask it all and continue with our day. So don't be discouraged....
You are one of a kind my dears....
Beautiful Creations :)

I hope the excerpts from the song encourage you as they did for me (grabs kleenex)

But please don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up...
Forgive but don't forget, girl keep your head up...
And when he tells you you ain't nothin, don't believe him...
And if he can't learn to love you, you should leave him...
Cause sista you don't need him...
And I ain't tryin to gas ya up, I just call em how I see em...

I think it's time to kill for our women...Time to heal our women, be real to our women...And since a man can't make one...
He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one...
So will the real men get up...I KNOW YOU'RE FED UP LADIES, BUT KEEP YOUR HEAD UP...