“I say unto you, He that believeth in me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.”
John 14:12
As a kid I learned about Jesus in church. The adults loved him. His story never really spoke to me though. Maybe it went over my head.
Tupac was who I looked up to. His words meant something to me, to all of us. Us being the poor, the minorities; young black America.
The thing about Jesus is you can’t really be sure he even existed.
I’d like to think he did. But Tupac on the other hand, you can YouTube him right now. He really was a person. 20 years after his death and the legend is only growing. Where will it be in 2000 years? What was Jesus’ legacy 20 years after he died?
Tupac undoubtedly spoke prophecy.
Any fan of the Makaveli album knows this. I could write an entire piece on the folklore, symbolism, and mystery surrounding it — I eventually will.
Everything we hear from Jesus are words he uttered while alive. Tupac released 7 albums posthumously, with more on the way.
Tupac was our black Jesus. They killed him for speaking the truth.
They killed Jesus and I don’t even know what their excuse was. This world hates the truth and those who speak it.
Just ask Princess Diana. I’ll leave that for another post.
For now, I’ll simply ask:
Is Tupac Black Jesus?
Let’s examine the similarities.
The United States government conspires against Afeni Shakur. Imprisoned and pregnant with Tupac, on trial for her life, she’s accused of terrorism. Without any legal experience she defends herself and miraculously wins, avoiding prosecution.
She’s freed just in time to give birth.
In the Bible, ehen the Roman King Herod hears a new King is to be born, he conspires against the baby, while his mother Mary is pregnant. Mary flees Bethlehem to avoid persecution.
Mary’s husband Joseph, when he realized Mary was pregnant, almost left her. He stayed after an angel told him the child would be the savior of man. His name would be Jesus.
Afeni’s husband Lumumba, when he realized he wasn’t the father of her newborn, did leave. She would name the child Tupac Amaru — after a Peruvian revolutionary — who lead the largest uprising in Spanish American history — before he’s murdered by their government.
Mary and Joseph were turned away from several inns and forced to give birth to Jesus in a manger.
Afeni and Tupac fell on hard times and moved from place to place. There were even periods of homelessness.
When Jesus becomes a man he begins his ministry. His words become revered, people come from all over to hear him speak.
Tupac becomes a famous rapper. His albums sell millions of records all over the world.
Jesus is said to have preformed miracles like healing the sick.
Tupac is on record saying that while he might not part the Red Sea, he’s turned drug addicts into productive members of society, and through rap turned words into money.
“What greater gift can there be?”
Jesus’ notoriety garners the attention of the Roman Government who puts him on trial, then decides to crucify him.
Jesus’ friend and disciple Judas turns on him, leading to the crucifixion.
Tupac’s music garners the attention of American government. Vice President Dan Quayle calls for his music to be taken off store shelves.
Tupac’s friend and fellow rapper Biggie is said to have knowledge of Tupac’s shooting before it happens, orchestrated by a known government informant.
Tupac is shot 5 times, twice in the head, once in the groin, and once in the hand. He miraculously survives.
Jesus is crucified. One nail in each hand, one through both feet. A crown of thorns on his head, and a spear through his side. 5 puncture wounds.
He miraculously resurrects from the dead and roams the Earth for 40 days.
Tupac lives another year after the shooting. Then is shot again and finally murdered. Many believe his death was orchestrated by facets of the United States Government, similar to Roman Government with Jesus.
The United States is thought to be the modern version of Rome, being the current word superpower.
After Jesus’ death his words are cherished and live on. Every thing he’s ever said is studied, scrutinized, and considered prophetic.
Immediately after Tupac’s death an album is released with him crucified on the cross.
The album eerily predicts his death. Fans believe he is still alive, while some believe he is returning someday soon.
No artist in history has released more material posthumously than Tupac Shakur. Except maybe Jesus.
Followers of Jesus belive his 2nd is imminent.
Has it already happened?
For more on my work on Tupac, see my new Medium post here
