Over the past week I’ve been doing a lot more research on the Tupac vs. Drake debate. I started a poll on Facebook and 84 percent of people voted for Tupac Shakur while only 16 percent voted for Drake Graham.
Surprisingly most of the ones that voted for Drake, voted for him because they did not know who Tupac was. Is this really a good reason to say Drake is a better rapper than Tupac without even knowing him?
I feel that you should not be able to say who’s better if you have not heard both of their work.
The ones that did vote for Tupac had great things to say about him, for example my good friend Cheyanne Womble stated:
“Tupac was an amazing artist, he didn’t grow up with a gold spoon in his mouth.
He went through struggles every day of his life,” meaning he could rap about his life and struggles and this is what drew people to his music; the realness of who he was and what he stood for.
Cheyanne goes on to say, “His mom was a drug addict and you could easily write a 100-page essay about him.”
I agree with Cheyanne all the way because she’s saying that Drake did not go through the various struggles that Tupac went through.
Regardless of what Tupac went through he did not let that stop him but he embraced it through his music. I feel this is what a lot of rappers are missing today, the struggle.
The story behind their music and not just rapping about money, drugs and sex; That’s what a lot of music is all about now but back then there was soul in it.
Another comment made by Gabby Turner in supporting her vote for Tupac was:
“Tupac was an actor, innovator, man of the truth and spoke the truth no matter the repercussions of anyone.”
I loved this response because everything she said about Tupac was true, he was not afraid to speak the ugly truth. Tupac talked about things that matter, yes he was known as a thug but he was not afraid to show that side of him no matter who was looking.
One person that voted for Drake said that did it because he’s cute, well does this really make him a better rapper? To me this is not a good enough argument on why Drake is a better rapper. What do looks have to do with a person’s talent?
Drake may dress the part but until someone comes up with a better argument than not knowing who Tupac is, Drake looks better or that his raps are just poems, I’m not convinced.
Lastly, the comment I liked was from Candra Lakes she stated: “Tupac always told a story and he was just real.”
“His music portrayed his life, struggles, come up, and humility; his music that made people think as well as enjoy. Drake makes good music but Tupac made great music he will always be a legend to me.”
Well said Candra; Tupac will always be a legend to me as well.
Tiauna Horejsi
Reporter