The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Shakur, Tupac. 1999. THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 9780671028459

Plot Summary:

In this collection of poems written by rapper, Tupac Shakur the reader is taken into the heart and soul of a man who yearned for love; he was willing to give and share but also wanted it in return. This collection of Tupac's deepest thoughts was discovered after his death and the reader is able to read about how one of the greatest rappers put his everything into the words that he not only rapped but out of the spotlight, he wrote down in a journal. These poems are of love, friendship, faith, and the longing to be seen as a man who can love.

Critical Analysis:

The Rose That Grew From Concrete is an insightful collection of poems that showed the world how Tupac(Shakur) was really a guy with a big heart.  Most people (including myself) knew him as one of the greatest lyricists of 90s; rapping about street life, the ills of the government, and loving his mama.  When I read the words on the pages, I feel like Tupac is speaking to me: he writes like a boy who pours his heart out to his crush. Seeing copies of the words written in his handwriting on page opposite from the typeset shows the depth of emotion that Tupac was feeling as he wrote.  The actual handwritten copies cause the hard and tough shell that he wore as a rapper to fade away; showing a soft, caring side. It is also interesting to note that Tupac not only wrote about love and caring for someone but he also wrote about life. Tupac wrote about what he saw, how he felt in a world that had not been kind to his people, even his belief in God. I have often heard rap aficionados question if Tupac were alive would he still be rapping; but, I wonder if Tupac were alive, would his writings continue to be ones that question love, life, and God?

Review Excerpt(s):

NA (Private bloggers reviewed this title, primarily)

Connections

Open the discussion with asking students what do they think of when listening to rap music? Ask them to describe it using adjectives.  Then tell students to think about any poems they have read or heard and describe them with adjectives.

Print out Tupac's Dear Mama and Changes; have students read the lyrics and write down adjectives that describe the songs.  Then play the songs for the students and have them write down again some adjectives that come to mind after hearing the words.  Assign students a one page written work where they are to write a poem that can read, rapped, or sung.

Explain to students how Tupac was a lyrical poet. Give students a brief history about his life and then read a few selections from The Rose That Grew From Concrete.

With the poems written by students, host a poetry slam in the classroom. Have students consider planning and hosting a campus wide poetry slam.

The words expressed are my own and are part of a graduate studies class at Sam Houston State University.