Words for My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac Shakur

In Words for My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac Shakur, Dean Van Nguyen expertly weaves a compelling narrative of Tupac Shakur’s legacy on global resistance and liberation struggles. Anchored in his mother Afeni Shakur’s activism in the Black Panthers movement, 2Pac’s body of work represents defiance and opposition to classist and racist power.

I read this book as a Gen Xer, a non-Black immigrant woman of color who found meaning in both hip hop and grunge rock cultures of my youth. The cultural history of hiphop through 2Pac’s persona and music presented opportunities for nostalgia and grief about our generation’s collective loss when 2Pac was gunned down, a loss of a powerful voice that spoke to our struggles and aspirations. To build the story arc of a revolutionary hero, Van Nguyen expands the narrative by detailing the young rapper’s awakening into the realities of racial disparities, political marginalization, and economic inequities.

Van Nguyen demonstrates a nuanced approach to telling 2Pac’s story, as he discusses the constellation of collaborators and influencers that impacted the artist’s creative process and personal challenges. He dissects the rapper’s “incorruptible” iconic legacy due to his infectious, confrontational energy and the profound emotional depth and vulnerability of his verses. Amid the pull of capitalist and business necessities, 2Pac was able to stay above it all to create music that named the people’s fears and rage, and with confidence and swagger, encouraged us to stand by our convictions.