Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur - Softcover

Dyson, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0859653226 ISBN 13: 9780859653220

Publisher: Plexus Publishing Ltd, 2002

Synopsis

Tupac Shakur looms even larger in death than in life. With his trademark skills of critical thinking and storytelling, Michael Eric Dyson helps us to understand why. He examines Tupac's hold on black youth, assessing the in which the elements of his persona - thug, confused prophet, fatherless child - are both vital and destructive. Both deeply personal and sharply analytic this book offers a wholly original perspective to both thrill the devotee and enlighten the initiate. Reissued to tie in with new documentary: 'Tupac Resurrection'

About this title

Review:

"... Piquant and analytical, Dyson's is arguably the best 2pac bio 2 date." -- Mike Tribby, Booklist

"... riffs with speed, eloquence, bawdy humor, and startling truths that have the effect of hitting you like a Mack truck." -- San Francisco Examiner

"...This well-written, intelligent, and energetically investigative work will make a valuable addition to academic libraries." -- Library Journal

"...more than a music bio, the book will draw the attention of socially conscious readers who are interested in how hip-hop affects society." -- From Publishers Weekly

"His insights are deeply rooted in an understanding of history, and our people's place in it, as is abundantly clear in Holler If You Hear Me." -- Mos Def, rap artist

"Michael Eric Dyson's analysis of Pac's life proves to be sensitive, compassionate and above all truthful." -- Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Records

"Such is the genius of Dyson... flows freely from the profound to the profane, from popular culture to classical literature." -- Washington Post

"With Tupac Shakur, black America has its James Dean... Michael Eric Dyson, explains the wisdom of the people who knew, loved, and thought about his lost talent." -- Quincy Jones, composer and producer

Synopsis:

Five years after his murder, Tupac Shakur remains a widely celebrated, much loved and profoundly controversial icon among black youth worldwide. He has attained cult status partly due to the posthumous release of several albums, three films and a collection of poetry, but Tupac Shakur endures primarily thanks to the devotion of his loyal fans, who have immortalised him through tributes, letters, songs and celebrations, many in cyberspace. Like many gangsta rappers, Tupac felt that leaving his 'Thug Life' behind him when he became famous would make him appear out of touch with the subject of his songs - a fake. He continued to live the life of a gang member in Los Angeles, being arrested frequently on assault and weapons charges. Ultimately, Tupac died the death of a gang member too - gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. In Tupac Shakur: Holler If You Hear Me, Michael Eric Dyson helps us to understand why a 25-year-old rapper, activist, poet and actor looms even larger in death than he did in life.

With his trademark skills of critical thinking and storytelling, Dyson examines Tupac's hold on black youth, assessing the ways in which different elements of his persona - thug, confused prophet, fatherless child - are both vital and destructive. At once deeply personal and sharply analytical, this book offers a wholly original way of looking at Tupac Shakur that will thrill those who already love the artist, and enlighten those who want to understand him.

About this edition

• Publisher: Plexus Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0859653226
• ISBN 13: 9780859653220
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 308