However, once 2pac takes responsibility for his actions and behavior, and became financially stable to take care of his mother like she took care of him, the tone of the lyrics changed to been gracious and appreciative. At the beginning of the song, 2pac appears to be resentful of the possessions he did not have: ‘I shed tears with my baby sister/Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids’ (Shakur, 1995). Throughout the song, Shakur kept repeating how much he appreciates his mother.Īnother establishment of poetry in the song is the lyrical tone. ”Cause when I was low you was there for me/And never left me alone because you cared for me/And I could see you comin’ home after work late/You’re in the kitchen tryin’ to fix us a hot plate/Ya just workin’ with the scraps you was given/And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin’/But now the road got rough, here alone/You’re tryin’ to raise two bad kids on your own/And there’s no way I can pay you back’ (Shakur, 1995). Shakur recognizes his upbringing was not easy and even though he did not agree with his mother all the time, he appreciates everything that she did for him. Shakur wants to thank his mother for everything that she has done and the countless sacrifices she made in order to ensure that he and his siblings would never lack. The overarching theme in ‘Dear Mama’ (1995) is appreciation. Consequently, Shakur raps, ‘I finally understand for a woman it ain’t easy/Tryin’ to raise a man you always was committed/A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it’ (Shakur, 1995).Ģpac’s use of theme in the lyrics of ‘Dear Mama’ (1995) establishes the song as poetry. Shakur raps, ‘I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs/They showed a young brother love/I moved out and started really hangin’/I needed money of my own so I started shaggin’/I ain’t guilty ’cause, even though I sell rocks/It feels good puttin’ money in your mailbox’ (Shakur, 1995). 2pac contends that it was much easier to make money selling drugs and associating with thugs than it was to provide for a family through legitimate means. Additionally, many of the tropes 2pac integrates into the lyrics are symbolic of ‘thug life’ and street codes. For example, 2pac’s success means that he is not only able to pay the rent when it’s due ‘I love payin’ rent when the rent’s due but also being able to give his mother gifts ‘I hope you got that diamond necklace that I sent to you’ (Shakur, 1995). A lot of the symbols in the lyrics are references to the success 2pac has been able to enjoy through his work and art. One of the literary devices Shakur successfully used in ‘Dear Mama’ is symbolism. ‘Dear Mama’ (1995) is not used as a way to express regret, but is rather used as a way to make amends for the wrongs he did to his mom in the past, and he tries to correct his mistakes by taking care of his mother financially. Like many other young individuals, 2pac did not see or appreciate what was right in front of him and learned when it was too late, the sacrifices mothers make to ensure that those they care for are fed, sheltered, educated, and loved. Unlike other gangster rappers, 2pac sought to raise awareness for the respect of single mothers everywhere. ‘Dear Mama’ is a song written and produced in 1995, it contains a lot of literary elements that allows us readers to be able to analyze it from a literary point of view. He wrote this song out of the respect he has for his mother. Tupac Shakur, popularly known as 2Pac is one of hip-hop’s most influential rappers. Although hip-hop music is usually known for it’s violent, and often, masculine lyrics, ‘Dear Mama’ the first single from Tupac Shakur’s album, “Me Against the World” produced in 1995, can be considered to be a modern ode. An ode can be defined as a ‘ceremonious lyric poem on an occasion of dignity in which personal emotion and universal themes are united’ (Ode, 2012).
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