Tupac Lives: Rappers Who Channel the Lost Legend

Azealia Banks, Kendrick Lamar, Killer Mike and more.

Rich Homie Quan = Pac’s Party-Igniting Magic - There are rappers who are blessed with the ability to turn up the set on their own hood-encased terms; rappers who utilize their otherwise gutter sensibilities to create something downright catchy. For all of Tupac’s thinking-man’s self-reflective statements and brutal, G’d up beatdowns, he was also a man that could get the party started. Put “How Do You Want It” on today and people will still recite its Hennessy-drenched lyrics like lit-up fools. So far in his relatively young career, Rich Homie Quan has shown the same taken-for-granted skill for marrying infectious poppy radio hooks with street credibility. Yes, you may need a translator to actually understand what Quan is spitting on his latest anthem “Flex,” but when it’s blasting out the speakers at the club, you can’t help but mumble along. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
YG = Pac’s Thug Life - At its best, Tupac’s “Thug Life” mantra was a complex statement on the disenfranchisement of young Black men who managed to find strength in the very same oppressive label stamped on them by an often times systemically racist power structure. At its worst it was narcissistic and self-destructive—ultimately leading to Pac’s tragic downfall. Here’s hoping that Compton’s talented, charismatic new breed ‘hood star YG—who isn’t shy about flexing his own Blood gang credentials—chooses the former path.(Photo: Jonathan Moore/Getty Images for adidas)
J. Cole = Pac’s Everyman Spirit - The secret to J. Cole’s success? He connects with his fans on an unpretentious, common man level. As much as it confounds jaded critics searching for reasons as to how the thoroughly low-key North Carolina representative can go Platinum during a time when ratchet behavior and a jet-setting, TMZ obsessed image seemingly goes hand-in-hand with success in rap, the cynics have to deal with the fact that Cole—like Tupac before his ego-inflating jump to Death Row Records in 1995—is a grassroots champ.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Anheuser-Busch)
Dej Loaf = Pac’s Effortless Cool - Does Dej Loaf ever sweat? Seriously, the 24-year-old Detroit singer/rapper/bad*ss seems to have two speeds: Chill…and ridiculously chill. The hard but petite straight shooter has little patience for buster-*ss groupies, trite music industry politics and fake thugs, as exhibited on her side-eye cutting Big Sean collaboration “Back Up.” Pac would love the girl.(Photo: Jeff Hahne/Getty Images)Vince Staples = Pac’s Unpredictable Muse - Vince Staples is a tough talent to pin down. One minute he’s protesting the vicious cycle of police brutality and getting his new age back packer rap on with Earl Sweatshirt, and the next he’s firing off some serious West Coast gangsta s**t. Just as Tupac made it his business to switch lanes without warning, Staples' unpredictable vision will keep you guessing.(Photo: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

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YG = Pac’s Thug Life - At its best, Tupac’s “Thug Life” mantra was a complex statement on the disenfranchisement of young Black men who managed to find strength in the very same oppressive label stamped on them by an often times systemically racist power structure. At its worst it was narcissistic and self-destructive—ultimately leading to Pac’s tragic downfall. Here’s hoping that Compton’s talented, charismatic new breed ‘hood star YG—who isn’t shy about flexing his own Blood gang credentials—chooses the former path.(Photo: Jonathan Moore/Getty Images for adidas)

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