The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Shakur, Tupac. The Rose That Grew from Concrete. New York: Pocket Books, 1999.

When he was 19, Tupac Shakur joined a San Francisco writing group with his soon-to-be agent and friend Leila Steinberg. She kept the poems he wrote during this period and, working with Shakur’s mother Afeni, had the poetry published in 1999, three years after Shakur’s death.

Tupac Shakur was known for his powerful, often violent rap lyrics. Arguably one of the most talented and controversial artists to dominate the Gangsta Rap scene in the 1990’s, he lived the life often portrayed in his music, and was murdered in 1996 at the age of 26. The crime has never been solved.

What may be surprising to some is the gentleness and sensitivity Shakur allowed to shine in his poetry. Mostly written in a simple rhyming pattern, the poems portray themes such as love, loneliness, and spirituality. At the same time, he gives a soulful account of growing up poor and on the streets. This work will resonate with young adult readers.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the book is the inclusion of the poems in Shakur’s own handwriting. The shorthand he relied on – 4 (for), 2(to), u(you) – seems to flow naturally in his handwritten work.

Cover Design by Matt Galemmo. Scanned April 12, 2009.

Shakur, Tupac. The Rose That Grew from Concrete. New York: Pocket Books, 1999. 978-0-671-02845-9. $16.00. Paperback.