Changes

An Oral History of Tupac Shakur

By: Sheldon Pearce

Narrated by: Ashton Grooms, Aden Hakimi, Cary Hite, JD Jackson, Guy Lockard, Robin Miles, Leon Nixon, Fred Sanders, Jackie Sanders, Heather Alicia Simms, Pete Simonelli, Landon Woodson

A New Yorker writer’s intimate, revealing account of Tupac Shakur’s life and legacy, timed to the 50th anniversary of his birth and 25th anniversary of his death.

In the summer of 2020, Tupac Shakur’s single “Changes” became an anthem for the worldwide protests against the murder of George Floyd. The song became so popular, in fact, it was vaulted back onto the iTunes charts more than 20 years after its release - making it clear that Tupac’s music and the way it addresses systemic racism, police brutality, mass incarceration, income inequality, and a failing education system is just as important now as it was back then.

In Changes, published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Tupac’s birth and 25th anniversary of his death, Sheldon Pearce offers one of the most thoughtful and comprehensive accounts yet of the artist’s life and legacy. Pearce, an editor and writer at The New Yorker, interviews dozens who knew Tupac throughout various phases of his life. While there are plenty of bold-faced names, the book focuses on the individuals who are lesser known and offer fresh stories and rare insight. Among these are the actor who costarred with him in a Harlem production of A Raisin in the Sun when he was 12 years old, the high school drama teacher who recognized and nurtured his talent, the music industry veteran who helped him develop a nonprofit devoted to helping young artists, the Death Row Records executive who has never before spoken on the record, and dozens of others. Meticulously woven together by Pearce, their voices combine to portray Tupac in all his complexity and contradiction.

This remarkable book illustrates not only how he changed during his brief 25 years on this planet, but how he forever changed the world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Sheldon Pearce. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Man, the Myth... DEMYSTIFIED !

A wonderful way to get to know one of most ICONIC performers. Simply a masterpiece

Excellent!

I was enthralled. What a book. Cast was perfect. Thanks so much for this. I couldn’t love it more. I’ll listen again for sure.

Great Story

This book In deept candid look into the life of Tupac Amar Shakur, And even though Jada Pickett isn't on here still still others that was a part of his life. Gave their accounts And experiences with the late raps the late rap superstar. I have something loved it!

Good listen

Huge Pac fan, I’ll listen to anything that involves him. Glad to hear about the court case in the book. Going to find a copy of this to have on the shelf.

best book about TUPAC

Well put together. a freshing and informative insight into Tupac Shakur. it includes so many people who experienced Tupac on a personal as well as professional.

Legend

so Tupac shot himself twice in the groin then? I don't know why they want to push that. Also the book doesn't mention the other bullets he took, so, did that not happen then? Anyhow the rest of the book is so, so good, and that comes from a fan and not what they told me.

This world would be different, better had he lived

the whole book was dope, god rest the dead, pac, biggee, dark man x.

Like listening to a documentary

The audiobook feels like you're listening to a documentary. There are different voices for the cast of people close to Pac that are interviewed, which works really well for the audiobook as it helps you to keep track of who's talking. The storyline does a good job of moving through Tupac's life and the background to the albums he was releasing. The pacing is excellent and written in an engaging way.

This is a bit of a hagiography and doesn't provide much critique of Tupac or his music. There is some critique, but it always seems to be in passing and followed up by saying he was just a product of his environment - or that he was misunderstood.

Overall, this book paints an intriguing picture of Tupac and helps you understand his genius and why he was such an influential figure in hip-hop and pop culture. It leaves you amazed by who the man was and devastated that we lost him at such a young age.

Excellent

10/10. I highly recommend this book. I listened in two days because it was so captivating.

I Really Enjoyed Change

I like this book because I love how everyone who has been around 2Pac had got impacted by him and spoke on their experiences and I enjoyed the way they have kept it all honest. He will forever live on. Beautiful story, beautiful book and Changes is all it took.