People often ask me why I am so fascinated with Tupac. I even have custom tags on my Jeep bearing his name: "2PAC FAN" This quote was taken from an interview (in 1993) Pac did with MTV. His words pierce your skin and make you say: "Is he really a rapper?" I mean we have grown folks who don't talk this passionately about their people. Tupac was given a public forum and he took advantage. You can find this quote in Armond White's book: Rebel for the Hell of It.
 

I don't want to be 50 years old at a BET We Shall Overcome Achievement Awards. Uh uh, not me. I want when they see me they know everyday, when I'm breathin', its for us to go farther. Everytime I speak, I want the truth to come out. Everytime I speak I want [them to] shiver, I don't want them to be like they know what I'm gonna say cuz it's [always] polite. They know what I'm gonna say? And even if I get in trouble, ain't that what we supposed to do? I'm not sayin' I'm  gonna rule the world, or I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world and that's our job.

This brother was 22 (possibly 23) when he said this! For all the times I've heard our people (did you see Harold Ford's address at the Democratic National Convention? He never addressed 'his people' ONCE!) give ultra-conservative interviews, Pac definitely wasn't trying to placate anyone. My man Akil often talks about Jim Brown and the stance he took in the 70s.  To me, Tupac is like our Jim Brown. He looked out for the people . . .  without shame! Tupac was talking about me in that last sentence . . . and if you've read this far, he's probably sparked your brain too!