2pac - The Rose That Grew From Concrete

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Free Music Notes for The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Free Music Review: The Rose That Grew from Concrete
Hit: 5 Stars

Those expecting a strict, hip-hop re-reading of Tupac's work may be a little disappointed. There's top-shelf talent here, no doubt -- Reverend Run, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Dead Prez, and Tupac's protégés the Outlawz all make appearances. But the project is based on Tupac's early attempts at poetry, written between 1989 and 1991, and the focus is on remembering him as an artist whose aspirations were bigger than the ghetto (remember, he attended the prestigious Baltimore School of the Arts). Accordingly, there are all sorts of unlikely guest appearances from the performing arts community, including memorable contributions from Afeni Shakur with Danny Glover and (believe it or not) the cast of the Lion King, as well as the IMPACT Repertory Theater Group, and actors Malcolm Jamal Warner and Jasmine Guy.

Sadly, all this talent is ultimately miscast. Tupac, even at the height of his prowess, was never really a powerhouse lyricist in the first place. What made him so special was his earnest delivery, his confident flow, and his magnetic charisma. While the impulse to commemorate the positive aspects of his life and art (and steadfastly ignore the many negative ones) is understandable; his early juvenilia just can't bear the weight of the project. Even though we all miss him, this one is for hardcore Tupac fans only.

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