Tupac Lives: Rappers Who Channel the Lost Legend

Azealia Banks, Kendrick Lamar, Killer Mike and more.

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)Kanye West = Pac’s Rock Star Aura - Last July, Mr. West declared himself the greatest living rock star. It was a ballsy statement that was met with amusement and downright hostility from the rock-n-roll community. But say this about Kanye—he is a polarizing, trend-setting, quote monster-flinging, award show-stealing rebel who is more of a rock star than any of the latest bands attempting to crank their guitars up to 11. Word to Pac.(Photo: Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)

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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)

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