Tupac Dreams
One of the Most Charismatic Voices of His Generation, Tupac Shakur,
Would Have
Been 38 Years Old This Month Had He Survived.
Odell Ruffin’s “Tupac Tale”
Depicts the Rapper’s Life, Relevancy
Watching Odell Ruffin bring Tupac Shakur to life onstage at Howard
University’s Blackburn Center did more than reconnect audiences to Shakur’s
greatest hits. It was a new opportunity to look at the complex and controversial
life of the man and the continued relevance of his work as a musician.
The play, “A Tupac Tale” is an energetic tour through Shakur’s life, legal
troubles and social voice. Written by Ruffin, who also plays Shakur, the play is
a diamond in the rough. It has all the elements of great theater. The script is
provocative and, at points revealing of the slain rapper’s life and loves. The
cast delivers diverse performances that include spoken word poetry. But all eyes
were riveted on Ruffin who looks so much like Tupac, he could nearly pass as a
twin.
Above, Ruffin and castmates take questions after the performance / Photo: RAOUL DENNIS
Click here to view photo gallery
The thing is: why does a work about a rapper who’s perceived as part criminal
even get produced?
The right stuff was always there with Tupac. He had the music (a blend of
message and mayhem), and he could bring the magic. He never professed to be a
leader--never suggesting the direction his listeners should go. But like many
artists, he gave voice to the plight of millions by creatively and bluntly
pointing out social inequities and challenges through his work. Like James Dean
in his day or Marlon Brando before Dean, Shakur unapologetically personified his
generation. And although we often shun these bold voices when they arrive, we
immortalize them for their vision and courage to carry it off, to say what
needed to be said and let the chips fall. This is true for history’s social
intellectuals and leading artists--from Leonardo DaVinci to Tennessee Williams
to Harper Lee and James Baldwin.
Detractors point to Shakur’s hardcore lyrics and violent passages. But they
forget that it’s the gift not the gift wrapping that counts. Shakur’s messages
may not have all been positive, but they were real. Ironically, for all his
violent talk, Tupac Shakur never fired a gun at anyone.
It was almost inevitable that Odell Ruffin write the play. Ruffin’s looks put
him in the spotlight all the more: the expectation is greater. We expect to see
Tupac. In this, Ruffin’s best work is in his delivery of a scene from “Juice.”
Ruffin’s Tupac/Bishop voice and performance are exceptional.
Shakur, who died at 25, would have been nearly 40 today but his impact--and
controversy--still spark critical discussion. “His work will always be
relevant,” Ruffin says. “He talked directly to the issues in a way that people
could understand and relate to.”
--PGS Staff
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