2Pac Lives: The Political Resurrection (Hardcore Fan Edition Vol. II)
In 2003, under the authorship of Drah Cenedive, The Hard Evidence Research Group published a controversial and insightful book entitled 2Pac Lives: The Death of Makaveli, the Resurrection of Tupac Amaru. This group, based out of Topeka Kansas, was formed by Cenedive and consisted of ‘a college professor, avid (2Pac) fans, media reports, a journalist, historical scholar, plus religious and legal personnel. Some of the two most profound questions posed by 2Pac Lives were ‘how can a worldwide rap star escape death threats, envy and the pain of fame?’ and ‘Why did the FBI and Federal Government feel the need to assist in the magic of Makaveli? Concluding that the Feds had helped a threatening, out spoken, black activist rap star become a hero in their children’s eyes…‘But why?’
Out of the many books that have been written on the legendary Tupac Shakur, 2Pac Lives uniqueness resides in the fact that it has been one of the only texts that actually employed the lyrics of 2Pac himself to make its case in detailing the description of this subject. Questioning profound public statements (i.e. ‘the official narrative’), and particularly regarding the unbelievable wealth of pre-recorded mastered studio songs, Cenedive ask ‘Is Tupac’s existence a mere urban legend? Or is Tupac the first worldwide recording artist living in exile?’ Then, in the spirit of inclusion and in living up to the name of a ‘hardcore fan edition,’ 2Pac Lives inserts speculations from the fans themselves, whose internet chatter in the late 90’s concluded multiple ‘sightings’ and/or possible locations for the artist’s whereabouts such as Cuba, Jamaica, Arizona, and even Montana.
In 2005, a young student and writer in Seattle contacted the Hard Evidence Research Group after reading about 2Pac Lives online. Asher Underwood (aka ‘young cush’) purchased a copy of Cenedive’s book and since that time the two of them have been collaborating and building a relationship based on their mutual interest and inspirations of this Hip Hop Taboo surrounding the legendary icon and his music. Cenedive followed as Underwood's work went on to produce an undergraduate thesis pedagogically catalyzed by the conspiracy theories of Tupac’s continued existence (in an undisclosed location). This thesis, entitled The Fifth Sun Seven Day Theory, also braved a new path in contextualizing Tupac by going in-depth into explorations of the history of Tupac’s indigenous namesake, as well as the mythologies, prophecies, and guerrilla resistance associated with the South Amarucan legend of ‘Tupac Amaru (The Inca).’
When Underwood combined this critical information with the speculation of a previous paper called The Strategy of Possibility and Hope, by the Makavelian-Ghost Write the President (March, 2006), it really caught the Hard Evidence Research Group’s attention. The speculation made by this work was that the ‘mysterious and shadowy’ events surrounding ‘2Pac’s exit’ in 1996 would impact the U.S. Presidential Elections of 2008 and 2012 to the benefit of the masses. [and] Drawing from Tupac’s own lyrics- suggested this would lead to the election of America's first Black President.’ And thus, 2Pac Lives (Vol. II): The Political Resurrection was born.
Now, 13 years after the Vegas shooting, Cenedive and Underwood have teamed up to show that the relevance, politics, and spirit of one of the greatest rappers (and media personalities) of all time- Tupac Shakur- is not only far from dead, but very much alive, and ‘politically resurrected’ for the 21st century. 2Pac’s continued presence and influence cannot be underestimated, having sold over 75 million albums worldwide, and himself (thru Makaveli) initiating a movement to catalyze and mobilize minds of all ages, races, and creeds to stand up and make the changes we need to see in the world, in our nation, and in our communities. Combining the information from volume one with new (and until recently) unrevealed ‘facts’ concerning Tupac/Makaveli (aka ‘the Don Killuminati) and his ‘7 Day Theory’, 2Pac Lives: The Political Resurrection is sure to be a page turner and mind burner for those who’ve allowed the mainstream media to manipulate their own perceptions/conceptions of their favorite artist.
In 2003, under the authorship of Drah Cenedive, The Hard Evidence Research Group published a controversial and insightful book entitled 2Pac Lives: The Death of Makaveli, the Resurrection of Tupac Amaru. This group, based out of Topeka Kansas, was formed by Cenedive and consisted of ‘a college professor, avid (2Pac) fans, media reports, a journalist, historical scholar, plus religious and legal personnel. Some of the two most profound questions posed by 2Pac Lives were ‘how can a worldwide rap star escape death threats, envy and the pain of fame?’ and ‘Why did the FBI and Federal Government feel the need to assist in the magic of Makaveli? Concluding that the Feds had helped a threatening, out spoken, black activist rap star become a hero in their children’s eyes…‘But why?’
Out of the many books that have been written on the legendary Tupac Shakur, 2Pac Lives uniqueness resides in the fact that it has been one of the only texts that actually employed the lyrics of 2Pac himself to make its case in detailing the description of this subject. Questioning profound public statements (i.e. ‘the official narrative’), and particularly regarding the unbelievable wealth of pre-recorded mastered studio songs, Cenedive ask ‘Is Tupac’s existence a mere urban legend? Or is Tupac the first worldwide recording artist living in exile?’ Then, in the spirit of inclusion and in living up to the name of a ‘hardcore fan edition,’ 2Pac Lives inserts speculations from the fans themselves, whose internet chatter in the late 90’s concluded multiple ‘sightings’ and/or possible locations for the artist’s whereabouts such as Cuba, Jamaica, Arizona, and even Montana.
In 2005, a young student and writer in Seattle contacted the Hard Evidence Research Group after reading about 2Pac Lives online. Asher Underwood (aka ‘young cush’) purchased a copy of Cenedive’s book and since that time the two of them have been collaborating and building a relationship based on their mutual interest and inspirations of this Hip Hop Taboo surrounding the legendary icon and his music. Cenedive followed as Underwood's work went on to produce an undergraduate thesis pedagogically catalyzed by the conspiracy theories of Tupac’s continued existence (in an undisclosed location). This thesis, entitled The Fifth Sun Seven Day Theory, also braved a new path in contextualizing Tupac by going in-depth into explorations of the history of Tupac’s indigenous namesake, as well as the mythologies, prophecies, and guerrilla resistance associated with the South Amarucan legend of ‘Tupac Amaru (The Inca).’
When Underwood combined this critical information with the speculation of a previous paper called The Strategy of Possibility and Hope, by the Makavelian-Ghost Write the President (March, 2006), it really caught the Hard Evidence Research Group’s attention. The speculation made by this work was that the ‘mysterious and shadowy’ events surrounding ‘2Pac’s exit’ in 1996 would impact the U.S. Presidential Elections of 2008 and 2012 to the benefit of the masses. [and] Drawing from Tupac’s own lyrics- suggested this would lead to the election of America's first Black President.’ And thus, 2Pac Lives (Vol. II): The Political Resurrection was born.
Now, 13 years after the Vegas shooting, Cenedive and Underwood have teamed up to show that the relevance, politics, and spirit of one of the greatest rappers (and media personalities) of all time- Tupac Shakur- is not only far from dead, but very much alive, and ‘politically resurrected’ for the 21st century. 2Pac’s continued presence and influence cannot be underestimated, having sold over 75 million albums worldwide, and himself (thru Makaveli) initiating a movement to catalyze and mobilize minds of all ages, races, and creeds to stand up and make the changes we need to see in the world, in our nation, and in our communities. Combining the information from volume one with new (and until recently) unrevealed ‘facts’ concerning Tupac/Makaveli (aka ‘the Don Killuminati) and his ‘7 Day Theory’, 2Pac Lives: The Political Resurrection is sure to be a page turner and mind burner for those who’ve allowed the mainstream media to manipulate their own perceptions/conceptions of their favorite artist.
