The Rose That Grew from Concrete

2Pac

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00004ZDV7
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,837 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Miscellaneous > Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews > Poetry

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Another chapter in a long series of material being churned out by the "keep Tupac alive" cottage industry, this tribute album makes his private thoughts (written during his adolescence) available for mass consumption. Will Pac-friendly consumers get played as his estate gets paid, again? Not really, because thankfully these renditions are carried out by a multi-generational crew of pop-culture heroes. When the cast of The Lion King form a dreamy a cappella backdrop to Danny Glover and Afeni's reading of "A River that Flows Forever," it's like heavenly bliss. The same goes for the numbers interpreted by a holy trinity of spoken-word goddesses: Sarah Jones's "Why Must U Be Unfaithful", Sonia Sanchez's acoustic number, "When Ure Heart Turns Cold," and Nikki Giovanni's R&B-tinged interpretation of the title poem. But there are moments on the disc that are as dodgy as the investigation to find his killer. In light of Pac's socialist revolutionary swagger, how raving capitalist Russell Simmons ended up on this disc is anyone's guess. While some of Pac's thugged-out constituency will want to upchuck violently when they hear sentimental tunes like Tre of the Pharcyde's "What of a Love Unspoken," the material blessed by dead prez, Mos Def, and percussionist Babatunde Olatunji deserves a serious listen by music lovers across the board. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tupac was BRILLIANT... this CD shows it., November 24, 2000

By A Customer

He died when he was 25..... He wrote these words when he was 19.

This album is so real and although most of the tracks do not have the feel of a 2Pac album-- the "lyrics" by Pac certainly do. Although I've enjoyed other articles by Dalton Higgins (the guy who wrote the amazon.com official review for this CD) I think he kind of missed the whole point of this album-- AND Tupac's life in general. For Dalton to say that Tupac's "thugged-out constituency" will vomit when hearing the songs about love is totally ridiculous. Dalton!!: That "other side" of Tupac is what attracts people to him over you everyday thug rapper, like DMX (who is basically a Tupac without this depth.)

Fans!!: If you buy this CD, understand there will be songs you don't like. But there will be songs you love. For me the best songs are the interpretations by Dead Prez, Mos Def, Outlawz, Quincy Jones and Mac Mall, 4th Avenue Jones' and K-ci, Nikki Giovanni, Danny Glover and Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur. And all who enjoyed Tupac's words, clarity and eloquence will love this album and cherish the brilliant mind that was destroyed by this "dormant and uncaring society." Tupac would be proud of this CD and as you listen to it you remember the whole time that these are Pac's words.

This is the perfect Christmas gift for friends and family who have admonished you for listening to Tupac's music because of it's vulgarity and profane lyrics. It may convince them to start listening to his wonderful music, even if they don't like rap.

The media and white America were very confused when it came to Tupac------------------> to anyone that thinks "outside of the box" when it comes to life, and dreams of a better world, Tupac is nothing less than a true hero. They say a dead man tells no tales, but through this CD Tupac still talks to the masses. His memory lives on; heed his words.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Immaculate poetry album., April 30, 2001

By	Danny "Alan Smithee" (South Philly) - See all my reviews

Back in about September of 2000, when I heard a new Tupac album containing 25 tracks would be coming out, I nearly jumped for joy. However, when I found out it was a CD of celebrities reading Tupac's poetry, and ESPECIALLY after learning there was only a few rap tracks, I was very skeptical about buying it. The truth is, the only reason I bought it was just so I could have all of Pac's albums. When I got home, I put it in my CD player, skimmed the album, and just placed it back on my shelf. However, the other day, for the first time, I just decided out of the blue to sit down and listen to it. And I loved it.

This isn't the type of CD you can bump in your car (with the exception of a few hip-hop tracks, but even they're not hardcore). It's the type of CD you sit down, listen to, and take in. It's certainly not for everyone, so don't be discouraged if you love Tupac and don't feel this album. It's completely different from any other Tupac CD. Gone is the hardcore beats and menacing voice of the greatest rapper ever. But that's not a bad thing at all.

Each performer truly gives it their all to make this album as powerful as it's turned out to be. Whether it be poetry, singing, rapping or even chanting, it's like heaven to listen to. This album also contains some of the most beautiful instrumental music I've heard in my life.

So whether you like Tupac or not, this album can appeal to everyone. You just need an open mind. Give it a shot. I can't wait to see how the other "Rose That Grew From Concrete" albums turn out. But I'm not going to get my hopes up. Amaru records would have to pull off a miracle to surpass the greatness of this wonderful album.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real side of Tupac, November 25, 2000

By	Andrew Morse (Seattle, Wa) - See all my reviews

Most people know 2pac for his banging beats and hardcore gangsta rhymes. But there are a certaine number of us that really hear what 2pac is saying is his albums, he is talking about the struggles he has gone through in his life, and his ideas of life in prodomonently African American neighborhoods around the US. This album, "the rose that grew from concrete" shows the true side of tupac at his best. The poetry on this album is a great example of his concern about important issues that surround america. His poems, although spoken by other individuals hit hard. My favorite ones on the album are, Pride of the panther, tears of a teenage mother, the rose that grew from concrete, and if there be pain. Go pick up this new album if you really want to hear what 2pac has been trying to say in his songs, it is a great cd, and should not be avoided.