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PhotoSynthesis: Tupac Shakur

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New York, 1993: I had been doing a fair amount of hip-hop photography and album covers, and I got this assignment from Rolling Stone to photograph Tupac. He showed up [at my studio] right on time, and with just one other guy. I remember he had brought a couple of different changes of clothing, and he took his shirt off to change into another shirt, and I said, "Wow, man, those tattoos are fantastic! We gotta do something with the shirt off." I kept thinking to myself, "This would be an amazing cover for Rolling Stone if his record went to the top of the charts." In the end, it actually did get to be the cover of Rolling Stone -- unfortunately because the guy was assassinated.



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13 Comments

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nessy

Tupac was an intelligent young man. His mother was apart of the movement to better an oppressed people. He took The knowledge He learned from his mother along with his life experiences and tried to share it with the world. He wanted people to listen, learn, speak and think for themselves.
A poet at heart, he placed his talent into speaking his words through rap.
He is worth more than acknowledging some jealous nobody's hateful rant on the internet. I love and admire Tupac.
"I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that i will spark the brain that will change the world"

August 29 2010 at 3:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James D.

I really admire Tupac for his very creative lyrics and style. I, however, am very much opposed to calling his murder an "assassination". He was not "assassinated"!

April 08 2008 at 11:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kool

Whoever Frank is he needs to hush his mouth!

March 04 2008 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kool

Whoever Frank is he needs to hush his mouth!

March 04 2008 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tom

2Pac's a legend cos he's never overlooked - u either hate him so much or luv him so passionately.
Frank's a frustrated, underachieving, gossiping being it shows in his comments - he can't understand/appreciate a rose growing from concrete.
Pac delivered his music 4rm deep down and hence, counldn't hide his joys, pains - emotions.
Pac said 'if u can get tru the night, there's a brighter day'.
All who believe we're our own masters, should strive to higher levels.
Tupac Amaru Shakur - Makaveli, Don Killuminati - the world remembers.

January 07 2008 at 10:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
loli

RIP Tupac. Strong, smart black man...you are missed.

November 17 2007 at 2:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sandy

some people say he was the best rapper that ever walked the earth. some say he sucked. that is what makes our nation so great. we can have our own opinions.

look at the photo though, look at that body art. it is a shame that the only way to view it now is in pictures. everyone who loved tupac, should thank danny cinch for taking these photo.

November 16 2007 at 11:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
REBECA

TUPAC WAS AND WILL BE THE BEST RAPPER THAT THERE EVER WAS HES THE SHIT HE USED TO GET DOWN HE WAS A CRAZY ASS NIGGA

October 18 2007 at 1:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
zina

i'm not even a rap fan maybe because i'm old school but i know that tupac was one of the greatest rappers ever he was not just a rapper he was a poet and acter and he rapped about life real life stuff them words came out his mouth like the was ment to be said and he spoke the truth so don't hate apperciate what he stood for because he was someone to listen to you should have maybe all that did'nt could have learned something god had a plan for him and he got a lot of people to listen. he did better the bush at that job RIP

October 17 2007 at 3:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Beno

WOW!!!!... Well Frank to be quite Frank with you I can only expect that from someone who doesn't know a GOD DAMN thing about being a thug let alone the validity on being something that you ultimately choose. OH! so I guess Al Capone came out of his mothers womb with a "Tommy Gun" in hand. That's what made him a gangster, right? Why do you think so many people admire him (Tupac) to this day, artist and fans alike. Just because you go to a private school has nothing to do with how you choose to live your life. Chances are he went to those private schools because his single parent mother wanted what was best for her son......DUMB ASS. PAC was the epitome of hip hop. He had fans from all walks of life. Why is that? Because they recognize something real. That man stood for something, which is a whole hell of alot more than some corny ass artist you probably like. If you matched Tupac up with any Rock artist past present or future in a debate on the basis of originality, wit, creativity, courage, truth, articulation, inteligence etc. Tupac Amaru Shakur would be the last man standing. The reason you probably hate on the deceased is because when he was here in the physical form he probably denied your yuppie tight ass an autograph. If anyone is a poser it's probably your lame ass. Do more research before you get all brave and start to leave anonymous remarks about what Rolling Stone wanted way back in 93' TUPAC R.I.P.

October 12 2007 at 10:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply