Tupac Shakur may have left this earth a full sixteen years ago come this September 13th (the anniversary of his 1996 death) but the beloved rapper/actor is still very much with us to this day whether it be via his music getting played on the radio, his continued album sales, or his much talked about recent hologram appearance at Coachella during Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg’s performance two months ago.

And with today (Saturday June 16th, 2012) marking what would have been Pac’s 41st birthday, many are celebrating the occasion as if Pac himself were here to enjoy the festivities. All over parties and events are being thrown in his honor including a special one in San Francisco tonight with a performance from Digital Underground; the Bay Area based group that he first came to fame through back in the early nineties when he started out as roadie, dancer, and later rapper.

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Changes

Changes is a very real and poetic manifestation of society. Timelessness is the art of this song, as it becomes more and more relevant with each passing day. The picture portrayed by 2pac in Changes is glum, but it also offers solutions. This is a classic.

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Keep ya head up

In Keep ya Head up 2pac describes society from a very human and basic standpoint while highlighting the importance of being positive. The women will love this song.

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If I die Tonight

“If I die tonight don’t shed a tear cause I ain’t happy here”. 2pac says it how he sees it, and isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

He highlights the vicious gang cycle and how it is intertwined with society and poverty. ALL his songs carry messages. Deep ones.

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Me and my girlfriend

Poetry and metaphors. Those are the themes of this song. Anyone who can’t figure out the metaphor about the girlfriend is not a real 2pac fan.

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Straight ballin’

Some hardcore gangster shit. 2pac obviously knew a thing or two about being a G. He’s also a master at describing  stories with rap, as proven by this song.

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My block

One of the deepest 2pac songs. Describes the ghetto cycle from end to finish in a majestic way. You really feel the pain of society when listening to this song. However, you still feel a glimmer of hope and positivity in a song like this, if alone for the mere fact that there’s another soul out there who understands.

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Fuck all y’all

One of the “realest” tupac songs. One you can cruise to, one you can spark one up to. Definitely a 2pac classic. Here’s a special remix:

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I ain’t mad at cha

2Pac describes loyalty with his poetic style. He alludes to his own life with his broken rose that grew through concrete metaphor. You need to listen to the video version to hear the last verse which is not included in the All Eyez on Me album.

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Unconditional love

A classic. A realist’s perspective on life and that akin to it. “My mission is to be more than just a rap musician, the elevation of today’s generation if I could make em listen. No longer stuck in greed. Time to plan strategize, my family’s gotta eat”. Very positive message from 2pac in this song. Proves the haters wrong.

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How do U want it

Pac transitions his verses from ladies to political ambitions, to faking his death. This song is a absolute work of art. It has also got the coolest beat that pumped the 90’s up.

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Life goes on

You can never understand the meaning of this song until life takes it toll on you. It then becomes an instant masterpiece.

Pac paints a grim picture with this song in pac fashion. You can feel a deep understanding of his while he describes his experiences and makes this picture a whole lot more vivid.

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So Many Tears

“..i’ve been wanting babies, so I could see a part of me that wasn’t always shady..” The one positive note in this song about misery

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Coming soon….

Until the end of time

Rhyme after rhyme of pure genius in this song. A memorable chorus as well. This song will invoke emotions into anyone who listens to it. You will be singing this out loud after you listen to it:

You don’t need to be from the West to pay homage to Pac, and Cole does a good job doing so. Fayettenam’s Finest covered “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” at Bonnaroo 2011 during his set.

Tupac Amaru Shakur. June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996.

..the deep part is wait till he grow up and can make sense of the undertones he’s speakin on.