Tupac's References to God

[Shadows]

Tupac was no stranger to letting people knew he believed in God.

He wasn't a saint and explained that what he felt he was doing, was right, so he was going to go to Heaven.

"I' ve been shot five times but im still breathing living proof there a god if you need a reason.”

I'm not saying that's a good argument. If anything, it was to fit a bold statement in a rhyme scheme.

However, whether you believe God or not, does the way Tupac bring God in his raps bug you?


Some of his BEST songs include God talks.

Just seeing what ya'll think.

 

[DarkPhantom13]

*waits for all the "there is no god and religion is stupid" members from the board to come in here and fuck up another thread*

 

[Pittsey]

I wouldn't say that his lyrics meant he believed in god. He talked at times from a Muslim point of view. Sometimes as if he was a christian. It has been reported he was a five percent-er... And at times he has spoken like an atheist...

So I don't know his religious believes, and believe he probably didn't either.

But what ever he believed doesn't bother me. I like his music.

 

[Ristol]

I think the many references/prayers he sprinkles in create the impression that he believed in God. Plus there was that huge cross on his back. I liked that about him. It added a layer of depth to his regular weed-smoking, cop-popping anthems. When he speaks to God in his music, for some reason it resonates. It's not quite "O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt / thaw, and resolve itself into a dew...", but it's in that realm of emotional effect for me.

 

[Pittsey]

I think the many references/prayers he sprinkles in create the impression that he believed in God. Plus there was that huge cross on his back. I liked that about him. It added a layer of depth to his regular weed-smoking, cop-popping anthems. When he speaks to God in his music, for some reason it resonates. It's not quite "O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt / thaw, and resolve itself into a dew...", but it's in that realm of emotional effect for me.

The bible is an inspirational text. And 2pac probably took inspiration from it. I am still unsure of his faith though.

 

[Ristol]

It's likely that he didn't adhere to any specific denomination, but the evidence of his belief in the afterlife is overwhelming, wouldn't you say?

 

[Pittsey]

It's likely that he didn't adhere to any specific denomination, but the evidence of his belief in the afterlife is overwhelming, wouldn't you say?

He was still young. And I'd imagine it to be a comfort with is death issues. My own personal death issues come from a lack of belief.

I don't know how I feel about it though. I don't really jusge people until they come out with shit like "god saved me" or "I spoke in tongues"... I can't relate to him as I haven't believed in god for nearly 20 years.

 

[Sebastian]

As far as i see it, its quite obvious that he believed in god.

Never bothered me when listening to his songs though.

 

[Pittsey]

As far as i see it, its quite obvious that he believed in god.

Which lyrics specifically?

Do the lyrics when he mentions killing people mean he is a killer also? Or do artists sometimes write songs depending on their mood and not based on facts?

 

[Sebastian]

I know what you mean. Sometimes artists slip into a role and write their lyrics from a fictional point of view.

However, if you take everything into consideration, the amount of times he mentions god and faith in his lyrics, things he said in interviews, maybe even his tattoos, then its much more probable he believed in god than the opposite.

Maybe he was asked this question directly in one of his interviews, i dont know.

 

[Bobby Sands]

^^yea i think he was. i think that he believed in a god but wasnt religious.

 

[EDouble]

Lord Knows

 

[Ristol]

When I was alone, and had nothing
I asked for a friend to help me bear the pain
No one came, except God
When I needed a breath to rise from my sleep
No one could help me.. except God

When all I saw was sadness, and I needed answers
No one heard me, except God
So when I'm asked.. who I give my unconditional love to?
I look for no other name, except God

-Tupac

 

[Pittsey]

The thing with 2pac... And why I liked him... because I am the same... Is his opinion changed daily. Depending on his mood, his feelings and thoughts changed.

When asked didn't he say he believed he was unsure?

I also remember him saying he took aspects from all religions. But I'm sure he also said he was a five percenter too.

 

[EDouble]

in pittseys expert opinion chances r Pac would of became an athiest on September 8th

 

[Pittsey]

in pittseys expert opinion chances r Pac would of became an athiest on September 8th

Don't be jealous of me.

 

[S O F I]

Hmm, it seems there's a debate to be had here. I always took it for granted that Tupac believed in God. It's the same with rappers nowadays, isn't it? Some are Muslim and pray and all that good stuff and some are on that freaky nation of islam shit. But most believe in God who don't go to church, never really say which religion they're a part of, but nonetheless say they pray to God and refer to God. I think a lot of it has to do with success. When rappers reach success that they never dreamed of or occurred it's possible, they need a justification for it. Of course they believe it's because of their talent and hard work. But there's gotta be something else. No one wants to say it's luck. It has to be God....because they think they're special like that. same with Tupac. When he survived that shooting, I believe he really believed he was saved by God for a purpose. While that line is clever and what not, I truly think he believed what he was saying when he said "Proof there's God if you need a reason".

 

[Casey]

I think some cool motherfuckers sat down a long time ago and said let's figure out a way to control motherfuckers. That's what they came up with-the bible

The fact remains that religion as a concept is the majority of the problem, the personal belief in any god is only a small part of it. Plus, as said, he believed in many of the eastern philosophies too. He believed in karma and reincarnation, mainstays of Hinduism amongst others.

so no, it doesn't bother me when I listen to the music.

Prince probably does it a lot more (his 2001 album 'The Rainbow Children', released shortly after he became a practising Jehovah's Witness, was just a bunch of religious dogma at times, it was pretty radical in parts) but it still doesn't bother me.

It's subtle - both with Prince and Tupac. You know it's there, but it's not blatant and even though you know what they probably meant, it's still open to interpretation most of the time..... That's the beauty of songwriting. You take what you want from it.

 

[Shadows]

^Good point.

As for Pittsey, he may have been angry and said he didn't believe in God or hinted he didn't exist, because that happens to adolescents in the ghetto. You lose hope and Faith every now and then. He was obviously not going to church, but he always mentioned him.

Personally, if i'm in the "God never gave me nothing mood" or "God doesn't exist" it doesn't bug me because if he's not talking about GOD (himself), he's talking to someone that drives him to keep doing what he is doing....making records for those that have a terrible life. Whether by choice or not.

I've personally written rap songs that I don't believe in god, but at the same time, I bring it up in raps because I act like he doesn't care because i was placed in certain situations. I think that's what 'Pac was doing when he claimed he didn't care, or wondered if he did. I also write rap songs that I think other people will relate to. So one day, my message might be opposite from the next.

In the end though, because of all the shit he went through, and still became famous,I think that's why 'Pac believed in God. As someone else said, some people don't feel as though it's just luck.

Though, I do think that that one girl picking out his music because she liked it WAS kind of lucky. haha


Remember what Pac says though, "When making rap albums, always stay in character, and always do better."

He had to keep mentioning god, killing, education, and care. It's why he never sold out and rapped about jewelry.

If you don't stay true to that quote, your rap career falls off. I.e. 50cent.

 

[Ristol]

I might be an idiot, and by the way I don't like rap at all nowadays, but I think 50 can really rap. He makes that bullshit all the time, but he's a beast when he wants to be. Just my opinion. Sorry for going off-topic. To bring it back:

I think it's obvious that Tupac believed in God. He wasn't posturing. That's what a lot of people have said, but to be honest I had nothing new to add and I didn't want to drive Shadows' thread off-topic.