Tupac Shakur was more than a rapper. He was a poet, actor, and activist at heart. Although he died young 20 years ago today, he made a huge impact in a short amount of time. So much so, that in 2014, Broadway veteran Kenny Leon directed a play based on Shakur’s music called, Holler If Ya Hear Me.


Leon has partnered with Atlanta’s historically black colleges, which include Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta University, for a Holler If Ya Hear Me revival. The director and members of the drama departments will spearhead a year-long workshop focusing on the late rapper’s work.


Leon believes that studying Shakur can bridge the gap between generations. “These young people have youth and a voice. And I happen to have a Broadway resume. To bring those two things together—sometimes it takes older folks like to me to pay attention.”


“To use his poetry as an example, his poetry and themes, to see Tupac within themselves,” Leon said. “He will be our inspiration.” The new and improved Holler If You Hear Me kicks off in 2017 at the True Colors Theatre.


In case you missed it, the second teaser for the biopic All Eyez on Me arrived Tuesday. It features Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Shakur, Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead) as his mother Afeni, and Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries) as Jada Pinkett.


Check it out below.





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