Tragic Characters in Music

It was a hard knock life for these central figures.

Brenda (Tupac Shakur) - Long before MTV’s 16 & Pregnant became pop culture hit, Tupac introduced the world to a teenage mom with a world of issues that few reality shows would be eager to exploit. Pac’s intense 1991 single “Brenda’s Got a Baby” chronicled the life of a 12-year-old girl growing up fast in the ghetto as a single mom. (Photo: Death Row Records)
George in "Poor Georgie" by MC Lyte - Way ahead of her time, iconic femcee MC Lyte penned this tale about a former love interest who lived the fast life and perished after driving while intoxicated. Fun fact: Lauryn Hill makes a cameo in the music video for this 1991 single. (Photo: Elektra Records)
Stan in "Stan" by Eminem - Eminem gives this anonymous crazed fan an unforgettable identity on his The Marshall Mathers LP. With haunting lyrics from Dido's "Thank You," Em takes on the fictional persona of Stanley Mitchell to give a first-person account of what it might feel like to be ignored by someone you admire.(Photo: Interscope Records)
TLC, "Waterfalls" - The groundbreaking female trio landed one of their biggest hits with this cautionary cut, which metaphorically warned against chasing fleeting (and potentially deadly) pleasures. In this case, it was selling drugs and unprotected sex.   (Photo: LaFace Records)Dungeon Family Reunion - Speaking of gettin' up, gettin' out and gettin' something, the Dungeon Family set the blueprint as far as hip hop collectives go. These days, with Future holding it downand Goodie Mob reconnecting for a new album, an entire basement crew reunion is in order.(Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

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George in "Poor Georgie" by MC Lyte - Way ahead of her time, iconic femcee MC Lyte penned this tale about a former love interest who lived the fast life and perished after driving while intoxicated. Fun fact: Lauryn Hill makes a cameo in the music video for this 1991 single. (Photo: Elektra Records)

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