psyop? Maybe
Posers? Absolutely.
Before becoming the face of the Gangsta Rap era, Tupac was an effeminate theater kid. Studying acting, poetry and ballet. He performed in plays such as The Nutcracker while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts.
Link to an interview from highschool, where his persona is completely different. Of course people grow up out of the awkward highschool phase, but personas don't really change like his did.
https://youtu.be/WNvxNMpt43A
Dre fell more in the Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie R&B type style before meeting Jerry Heller and exchanging his glittery wardrobe for an edgy wardrobe and teaming with a real muthaphucking G in Eazy for his meal ticket
After their split, Eazy often referred to Dre (and Snoop) as "Studio Gangsters", saying Compton and LBC do not claim these guys.
Posted by Soggy-Conclusion-388
6 Comments
Artists sometimes make themselves part of their art. Their impact is undeniable, and I’m willing to believe they independently decided to make themselves into a persona that isn’t exactly true to who they are, but is true to their art.
Almost like they were made to popularize antisocial behavior and keep prisons full.
Where is biggie smalls on the list?
There’s an interview with Michael Jai White who was a friend of 2pacs. He talks about how 2pac would turn the thug life persona on and off depending on who was around. The person he truly was, was closer to the person in that picture. If you’ve ever seen the actual interview that picture above is from. 2pac didn’t not seem like a straight man.
I’ve heard many years ago Tupac was actually gay. The story goes his tough guy gangster persona was completely an act.
Tupac actually shot 2 off duty cops that were beating a black man. There are many things that can happen in one’s life that will make someone completely change.
Just like people can go from being straight savage murderers to an upright citizen, it can go the other way as well.
People change.