The Rose That Grew From Concrete

by Tupac Shakur, Leila Steinberg (Introduction), Nikki Giovanni (Foreword by)

Overview

Tupac Shakur's most intimate and honest thoughts were uncovered only after his death with the instant classic The Rose That Grew from Concrete.

His talent was unbounded, a raw force that commanded attention and respect.
His death was tragic — a violent homage to the power of his voice.
His legacy is indomitable — remaining vibrant and alive.

Here now, newly discovered, are Tupac's most honest and intimate thoughts conveyed through the pure art of poetry — a mirror into his enigmatic life and its many contradictions.

Written in his own hand at the age of nineteen, they embrace his spirit, his energy...and his ultimate message of hope.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780671028442
Publisher:	MTV Books
Publication date:	11/01/1999
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	19,065
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Tupac Shakur recorded twelve landmark albums — nine of which went either platinum or gold. A consummate actor, he also appeared in six major motion pictures, including Poetic Justice, Juice, GridLock'd, and Gang Related. He was murdered at the age of twenty-five.

Read an Excerpt

From Section One: The Rose That Grew From Concrete

The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Autobiographical

Did u hear about the rose that grew from a crack

in the concrete

Proving nature's laws wrong it learned 2 walk

without having feet

Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams

it learned 2 breathe fresh air

Long live the rose that grew from concrete

when no one else even cared!

In the Depths of Solitude

Dedicated 2 Me

I exist in the depths of solitude

pondering my true goal

Trying 2 find peace of mind

and still preserve my soul

CONSTANTLY yearning 2 be accepted

and from all receive respect

Never compromising but sometimes risky

and that is my only regret

A young heart with an old soul

how can there be peace

How can I be in the depths of solitude

when there R 2 inside of me

This Duo within me causes

the perfect opportunity

2 learn and live twice as fast

as those who accept simplicity

Sometimes I Cry

Sometimes when I'm alone

I cry because I'm on my own

The tears I cry R bitter and warm

They flow with life but take no form

I cry because my heart is torn

and I find it difficult 2 carry on

If I had an ear 2 confide in

I would cry among my treasured friends

But who do u know that stops that long

to help another carry on

The world moves fast and it would rather pass u by

than 2 stop and c what makes u cry

It's painful and sad and sometimes I cry

and no one cares about why.

Under the Skies Above

After the Miscarriage

My child is out there somewhere

under the skies above

waiting anxiously 4 u and me

2 bless it with our love

A part of me a part of u

and a part of this love we share

will protect my unborn child

who lives dormant out there somewhere

Sometimes in my dreams

I imagine what it would be like

How could I properly guide him

when even I don't know what's right

Whether he is born in wealth or poverty

there will be no deficiency in love

I welcome this gift of life

given from GOD under the skies above

Copyright © 1999 by The Estate of Tupac Shakur

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface by Afeni Shakur

Foreword: Tupac, C U in Heaven by Nikki Giovanni

Introduction by Leila Steinberg

THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE

The Rose That Grew from Concrete

In the Depths of Solitude

Sometimes I Cry

Under the Skies Above

Life Through My Eyes

When Ure Heart Turns Cold

Untitled

The Eternal Lament

Only 4 the Righteous

What of Fame?

The Shining Star Within!

Starry Night

If I Fail

What Is It That I Search 4

The Fear in the Heart of a Man

God

NOTHING CAN COME BETWEEN US

Nothing Can Come Between Us

My Dearest One!!

If There Be Pain...

Things That Make Hearts Break

Black Woman

And Still I Love U

The Mutual Heartache?

1st Impressions

A Love Unspoken

Forever and Today

When I Do Kiss U

Carmencita of the Bronx!

Untitled

Love Is Just Complicated

Elizabeth

I Know My Heart Has Lied Before

From First Glance

1 for April

Wife 4 Life

Tears from a Star

March 1st — The Day After April

Why Must U Be Unfaithful

The Power of a Smile

Genesis (The Rebirth of My Heart)

Love Within a Storm

What Can I Offer Her?

Jada

The Tears in Cupid's Eyes

Cupid's Smile II

What I See!

In the Midst of Passion

2 People with 1 Wish

Hours Pass By

JUST A BREATH OF FREEDOM

Just a Breath of Freedom

For Mrs. Hawkins

The Sun and the Moon

"Fallen Star"

Government Assistance or My Soul

Family Tree

Or My Soul

When Ure Hero Falls

Untitled

"U R Ripping Us Apart!!!"

A River That Flows Forever

Can U C the Pride in the Panther

Tears of a Teenage Mother

"Where There Is a Will...."

LIBERTY NEEDS GLASSES

Liberty Needs Glasses

How Can We Be Free

The Promise

And 2morrow

No-Win

The Unanswerable?

Nightmares

So I Say GOODBYE

In the Event of My Demise

Editorial Reviews

When nineteen-year-old Shakur joined the writing circle of Leila Steinberg, as she relates in her introduction to this collection, he became its leading force. The young rapper-to-be wrote love poems, distressed poems, depressed poems. There is passion here, including anger, but this poetry is far more gentle, albeit less powerful, than the rap lyrics that would make him infamous. Each poem is presented in his handwriting as well as in typeface, an engaging device. Poems such as "What Can I Offer Her" and "Government Assistance or My Soul" bemoan unemployment, and the title poem celebrates growth in spite of obstacles. The love poetry is gentle; the theme is often responsibility. The misogynist of some of the rap lyrics does not appear on these pages, and the object of the writer's affections is not always female. This book will fly off the shelves. Many teens will see themselves as future poets/lyricists; from gangsta rap to Paul Anka, it is all poetry. Nevertheless Shakur's rap lyrics, none included here, are much more effective poetry. However one might wish to clean up both their words and intent, they sing from a place that many are, mercifully, unlikely to experience. Was Shakur a dangerous gangsta wannabe who precipitated his own murder by attacking a Crip, or was he a misunderstood but talented poet and performer—or was he both? This slim volume of Shakur's youthful poems, collected by his manager, Steinberg, and published with the permission of the rapper's mother, will not answer the question. Nevertheless it might allow the reader to see the hopelessness that the author felt as a young black male, a poet who thought he had to be tough to survive and whose posturing killedhim. It is strongly recommended that librarians and teachers read his rap lyrics if they have not already done so. Shakur's lyrics are currently posted on the Internet at http://www.tupac.net/lyrics. After reading this poetry collection, the raps are not only frightening, they are also sad. To paraphrase the poster from the United Negro College Fund, a mind is, indeed, a terrible thing to waste. Illus. Photos. VOYA CODES: 3Q 5P J S (Readable without serious defects; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 1999, Pocket Books/S & S, 151p, $20. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Lynne Hawkins

SOURCE: VOYA, October 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

VOYA

YA-A collection of poetry written by the rapper between 1989 and 1991, before he became famous. The poems are passionate, sometimes angry, and often compelling. Selections are reproduced from the originals in Shakur's handwriting, personalized by distinctive spelling and the use of ideographs (a drawing of an eye for I, etc.), and complete with scratch outs and corrections. With the exception of "In the Event of My Demise," all of the pieces are accompanied by typed text, which leaves his spelling intact. Some poems are also accompanied by his drawings. A few black-and-white photographs appear throughout. A preface by Shakur's mother, a foreword by Nikki Giovanni, and an introduction by his manager, Leila Steinburg, in whose writing group the poems were written, complete this unique volume.-Susan Salpini, Purcellville Library, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

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