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.

A stunning collection of poems from one of the world's most revered rap artists, the late Tupac Shakur.

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

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-as vibrant and alive today as it has ever been.

This collection of deeply personal poetry is a mirror into the legendary artist's enigmatic world and its many contradictions.

Written in his own hand from the time he was nineteen, these seventy-two poems embrace his spirit, his energy-and his ultimate message of hope.