Holler If You Hear Me (Searching for Tupac Shakur)

by Michael Eric Dyson

2001 ISBN 0-465-01755X

Basic Civitas Books 292 pages

            Book Review by Arnie King

Though it may be cliché to refer to black youth as endangered species, the brief life of Tupac Amaru Shakur is a sad, but true, example for our reflection. He had 25 years to experience this dysfunctional world, prior to a quite predictable demise. As a creative product of Black Panther Party members, he was bred and nurtured by an urban community as he encountered the primary diseases of racism, addiction and violence. Unfortunately, the graveyards are full of, and the prisons overflowing with, victims of these social illnesses. Tupac simply caught our attention quicker than others.

Holler If You Hear Me is an opportunity for old school to better understand hip-hop by listening to the articulate voice of a truly wise soul. Through this author, Tupac's message is more clear and, if the compact disc didn't move ya and the movies didn't groove ya, Michael Eric Dyson ensures that this authentic voice be heard. So be prepared to holler.

A major topic examined in the beginning chapter "Dear Mama" is the conflict of loving his mother, but not the lifestyle of the addict. In the African/American community, there are many female heroines and the mother receives much respect from their children. Tupac and Afeni shared a very sacred relationship, which included a brief period for the teenager to fulfill the parental role, vacated while the adult was settling for less. In "Do We Hate Our Women", the issue of Femiphobia, a fear and abuse of the female, is examined through the lenses of hip-hop culture and within the family. The abusive treatment of women in the hip-hop community is typically different than the norm of family dynamics.

This book was thoroughly researched and well prepared for public distribution. Dyson sought to elicit remarks from "it takes a village…" folks and close associates of Tupac to share experiences and offer insight about the young man during a specific period. From Harlem, to Baltimore, California, then back to NYC and return to Cali, and eventually lands in Vegas for the Tyson fight. The reader travels this journey and interacts with such notables as Jada Pinkett-Smith, Quincy Jones, Maxine Walters, Rev. Al Sharpton, Toni Morrison and John Singleton. There is a marvelous collection of details offered by a wide cross-section of the celebrity community.

Conspicuously absent is a player of the hip-hop world, who received mega blessings from the brilliance of Tupac. One of the primary questions leaping from the pages of Holler If You Hear Me is why Suge Knight was not included in the research effort. After all, he was driving the bullet-riddled car that Tupac was pulled from and transported to the hospital until death. Suge Knight does require a footnote or reference point in this literary project. Another significant critique is that the author does insinuate that Tupac was sexually assaulted during a brief stay at a New York prison, which perpetuates the myth that young males, regardless of social status, are subjected to prison rape during the incarceration period. Dyson offers no concrete evidence and should have deleted those comments.

Holler If You Hear Me is suggested reading for our youth to fully understand this gifted individual and the tragic loss of his physical presence. Parents could benefit from reviewing these pages and appreciate 'keeping it real' even though their heads may not bop to the particular beat. Tupac may be gone, but certainly not forgotten, as evidenced by recent music, film and book revenues. Although he no longer struts among us, his spiritual baritone and tragic experience continue to drop pearls of wisdom on our heads, hearts and hoods.