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2Pac Biters

Since Tupac died, and even before his death, many other rappers have been accused of 'biting his style'; i.e. trying to be like him.  Below are what I feel to be the most significant 'bites'.

Nas

Nas was accused, by Tupac himself, of being a 'Pac biter back in the day.  The pair had a relatively mild beef which involved a diss or two here and there.  I do not think that Nas has ever bitten Tupac's style, as I respect them both as rappers.  However, constant 'sentimental' references to Tupac and his death are getting rather annoying and too prevalent in Nas' later albums.

 

DMX

The look said it all - bald head, goatee and do-rag.  DMX emerged in the late nineties with a powerful 'thug' voice similar to tht of Tupac's, and a similar look to boot.  However, it eventually became clear that X was no 'Pac biter, as his music took a turn towards the dark side and his songs were sraight-up-thug.  recently, however, songs such as 'I Miss You' (a tribute to his grandma) and 'Who We Be' (a strong ghetto-anthem) have arose further 'Pac biting suspicions... 

 

Biggie

The originally accused Tupac biter (again by 'Pac himself) The Notorious B.I.G. After a long spell as a broke up-and-coming rapper, Biggie finally made it...with Tupac's style apparently.  Tupac claimed that he 'trained' Biggie in the art of rap, and that he told him 'Do not rap for the niggas, rap for the bitches'.  Allegedly, this advice was a platform for his successes in becoming such a huge hit with the ladies.  Personally, I see no lyrical similarity between the pair, and sense a little jealousy on Tupac's part.

 

Eminem

Possibly the strangest accusation I have heard is that Eminem is biting Tupac.  I do not think that there is any truth in this, as due to skin-colour differences it is impossible for Eminem to take 'the look'.  I also feel that Eminem has developed his own truly original lyrical style.  in my opinion, frequent references to Tupac should not be perceived as anything more than a boy paying his respects.

 

Tha Realest

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Possibly the most blatant Tupac biter, in terms of looks and lyrics.  Check out this article from Hitemup.com

Formerly known as Tenkamenin', as you may know him from the Gang Related Soundtrack, "Tha Realest" switched his name when he joined Deathrow Records.  Why ?  One can only speculate.  However I have heard Tupac refer to himself as The Realest "You know who the realest is" on more than one occasion.

The style of Tha Realest is so similar to Pac's, it's hard to mistake.  From his words dissing Mobb Deep and No Limit, to his speech and demeanor in interviews and on to his style in rap.  Many people claim he is riding where Pac left of.  Do you think there would be room for Tha Realest on Deathrow if Tupac was still alive ?

Tha Realest has addressed many of these similarities himself.  As far as appearance, he says he looks like his mom and his father, not like Pac.  As far as his style, he says he had the same style a long time ago.  I don't deny any of these facts.  However, I do believe the only reason he is on Deathrow is because Tupac is gone, and they're looking for somebody to take his place.

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Stand Strong - This is a song recorded by the Realest as a "dedication" to Tupac.   You can compare nearly every line in this song to a song where Tupac has stated something similar.

 

Ja Rule

Here is Ja Rule in a series of Tupac-like poses.  The do-rag, the tattooed bare chest, the bald head, the goatee.  It is very obvious that this boy is trying to emulate Tupac with songs such as 'Lost Little Girl' desperately trying to re-create the Tupac classic about another particular run-down adolescent girl.  Ja Rule even miserably made his own version of Tupac's 'Pain', featuring 'Pac himself.  Although he is blatantly copying Tupac, this man is no threat, as his lyrical ability is miniscule, he's ugly as hell and he's signed to the world's most corny record label - Murder Inc.  

 

 

 

 

 



 

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