Professor Sabir's Posse

Adriana Jones
September 3,2009
8-850
201A
2.Dyson made references to author and poet Maya Angelou. He talked about how Tupac did a album called still i rise which is a poem that she wrote. There was also reference to Niccolo Machiavelli who is the author of a book called The prince. Tupac named one of his albums after the authors name. Dyson also recognized author richard wright writer of the book native son.
3.According to Dyson tupac is a legend because either dead or alive he was a great. People still listen to his music and study his work even after his death. He has influenced so many people and musical artist while he was on this earth and he continues to influence people.
 

Arely Razo english 201 8-9
3. I think that Dyson is trying to say that the people that understand Tupac are smarter, is for the fact that they will understand thing. They will not take things the wrong way or dislike what is said because they do not comprehend. In order to fully understand things that happen in life one must experience it. I know that I at times do not understand him because I haven’t experienced the same things. At times it must be a bit confusing to understand because he contradicts himself. People that grew up in the streets are smarter because they know how to take care of themselves better.
4. According to Dyson Tupac is a legend because of how much he can relate to people and how many people he has given advice to. He is the only one that talks about our culture and is willing to rap about things that other people would not. Tupac made other people want to be educated. His music has been used by other artist and other artist have been encouraged to write about some of the same things in life. Dyson believes that many people will keep admiring him.
5. original He agreed with Socrates that an unexamined life is not worth living.
Free paraphrase All people should experience life because without experience life should not keep going. Literal paraphrase Tupac believed the same thing as Socrates that being in a world that is not observation, one should not live. original Tupac is perhaps the representative figure of his generation. Free For many people Tupac was the one that expressed how they felt as African Americans. Literal Tupac was the speaker for people that went through the same thing as he did. original As Tupac saluted and scolded black women, he changed warring tendencies in black life that have hardly subsided.
Literal Tupac would praise women and at the same time speak harshly of them, he helped lower the general inclination of African Americans.Free Not only did Tupac be apart of the movement for African Americans, he also would respect women and at times talk bad about them.original Perhaps it is because he spoke straight from the heart that we recognized that a troubled prophet had rise to articulate a truth that we couldn’t possibly live without.
Literal Tupac was a poetic person that would speak from the soul of his bad experiences or things that would happen later on should be known. Free All the troubles that Tupac saw in the future of how people were treated had to be told so they could know and that is what he did through poems.
original Your goal as a performer is to give something that’s the truth or something that is real. Literal What most artist try to do is to say something that is factual or experienced.
Free Being honest and truthful is what artist try to do through their music.
 

arely Razo eng 201 b 8-9
7. Posthumous-occurring after somebody’s death.
Demise-the death of a person, especially when it happens slowly and predictably.
Probe-a through investigation, often into illegal or suspicious activities
Nook-a quiet private place.
Cranny-a small narrow crack, hole, hole or opening in a wall or rock
Stark- forbidding in its bareness and lack of any ornament, relieving future, or pleasant prospect.
Pundits-someone who acts as a critic or authority on a particular subject, especially in the media.
Erudition-knowledge acquired through study and reading.
Misogyny-the hatred of women as a sexually defined group.
Guise-a false outward appearance.
Griot-a member of a caste of professional oral historians in the Mali Empire.
Paeans- a written, spoken, or musical expression of enthusiastic praise of rapturous joy.
Herculean-requiring a great deal of strength, effort, stamina, pr resources.
Hindrance- something or somebody that prevents or makes it difficult for somebody to do something.
Impromptu-not prepared or planned in advance
Etched-to create a design or drawing on the surface of something, especially a printing plate by the action of an acid.
Thespian-an actor or actress.
Mantra-a sacred word, chant, or sound that is repeated during meditation to facilitate spiritual power and transformation of consciousness.
Genial-having a kind and good-natured deposition or manner.
Affable-good-natured, friendly and easy to talk to.
 

Good work Arely. Adriana, good work. You are missing one answer. See the instructions. More later.
 

Rhonda Washington
Eng 201A MW 1-2:50
September 3,2009

1.Dyson thinks that Tupac was brillant for his critcal thinking of diverse issues in our community,life and worldly views.The way he expressed himself through lyrics poetically and the ability to collabrate with the music was extraordinary intellectual. Tupac's authentic persona placed him in a league of his own.
4.Dyson believes that Tupac was legend because no other rap artist has accomplished the success of lyrically motivating the people.
5.Tupac is widely regardedas the most influential rapper ever-
 

5a.Tupac is widely regarded as the most influential rapper ever-"I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare"says legendary rapper Nas-and one of the most important figures in music history.
-Tupac is renown for his powerful lyrics "I place Tupac passed Shakesphere"says the great artist Nas-and one of the most authoritative people of rapp's past.
-Legendary rapper Nas thinks Tupac is beyond Shakesphere-one of the most imporant figures of music history.Tupac is widely regarded as the most influential rapper's ever.
5b.Tupac's words would prove more prophetic than anyone could have guessed;starting with a class at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1998, a slew of college courses dedicated to studying Tupac's body of work cropped up after his death.
-Tupac's ryhme's would establish to have greater characteristic's than people could've imagined; beginning with studies at the University of California, Berkeley in 1998, alot of classes commited to learning Tupac's written's after his passing.
-The University of California, Berkeley in 1998 dedicated college courses of studing Tupac's body of work cropped up after his death. Tupac's words would prove more prophetic than anyone could have ever guessed.
5c.One of the reasons Tupac still resonates in the culture is his outsized literary ambition.
-The fact Tupac still produces in the community is his aboundantly drive.
-Outsized literary ambition is one of the reasons Tupac still resonates in the culture.
5d.The vibrant imagination that fueled Tupac's gift was often dismissed, perhaps because it was too dark,too dangerous.
-The brillant thinking that energized Tupac's talent was often rejected because it was harmful.
-Tupac's gift was often dismissed because it was too dark,too dangerous it fueled his vibrant imagination.
5e.His eager embrace of ethical ambivalence came off to critics as mere hypocrisy.
-His passion of cultral ideas was misunderstood by analyst as his own beliefs.
-Mere hypocrisy came off to critic's as his eager embrace of ethical ambivalence.

Rhonda Washington
Eng201A MW 1-2:50
 

Cynthia Phan
September 3, 2009
8:00-8:50am
Eng 201A
1. According to Dyson, what is Tupac’s “outsized literary ambition”? Give three examples. Respond in complete sentences.
- First example, Is that Tupac uses his thought in coming up with his album names where it will reflect his work and that it is something that he relates too and other may also.
- Second example, is Tupac choose to use language that will touch his fans and other. Also he didn’t really care how other would think of him, he would work his hardest in making in music.
- Third example, is that his work wasn’t all that, but he was eager to reach as far as he can to get his point across, not being judgmental about racism.

4. Why is Tupac a “legend” according to Dyson?
- According to Dyson, Tupac is a legend because all of his work that he had done before his death is really being study and learned by everyone from his fans, other rapper artist, and academic place like school. Also because his music was written in a way that other can relate to. Dyson mentioned, Tupac’s music was easy to read and straight from the heart and I think that’s why many people like to his work. His work had touched many people so it make him a legend. His music is still alive even though he isn’t living on earth anymore.
 

Adriana Jones
September 6,2009
8-850
201A
5a)original:When he drew breath and spit venom, Tupac sold nearly 10 million discs; in death, he has sold at least 25 million more.
literal:Tupac's music sold nearly 10 million discs, and 25 million more in death.
free:Tupac was more popular dead than alive.
5b)original:Tupac not only got young folks to read; he got them to read classics that educational critics thought they ought to be absorbing.
literal:Tupac influenced young people to read classics educational critics thought they should be reading.
free:Adolescents were exploring traditional literature with the impact of Tupac.
5c)original:Perhaps it is Tupac's ability to reach a broad audience within and beyond hip hop that separates him from most of his peers.
literal:Most of Tupac's couldn't reach broad audience's within and beyond hip hop.
free:Tupac was heard among his listeners and beyond.
5d)original:As things stand, Tupac's riveting art, and the problems he rapped about, are all here to stay.
literal:Problems faced in Tupac's music are here to stay as long as things remain the same.
free:Tupac's music will stay popular if America doesn't change.
5e)original:He was as well a voracious reader who had an insatiable intellectual appetite for an impressive range of books.
literal:He was a voracious reader that had an impressive appetite for a large amount of books.
free:Tupac read a lot of books and was eager to read more.
 

Elizabeth Garcia
Eng 201A
8-8:50am


Essay Question #1: According to Dyson, what is Tupac’s “outsized literary ambition”?

Tupac’s “outsized literary ambition” is the motive why he is still alive in society. It is because of the music he made and what they were about. His music was very expressive it said many things and this is a reason why he is famous for, because many people could relate to his words because he only spoke truths. Each of his music ideas had an argument, which were contradictory issues. Dyson gives some examples of the different topics he wrote about; love and hate, life and death, judgment and forgiveness, as well as many others. Another example of Tupac’s “outsized literary ambition” is that he expressed himself to his mother in a manner that was surprisingly meaningful coming by a man. This was something that artist do not do often.



Essay Question #3: What does Dyson mean when he says of Tupac’s audience, “the more you know about what he is saying, the smarter it must mean you are” (5)?

Through this quote Dyson tries to say that since Tupac words are very deep and his thought is described in a very intensive way that may only be understood by the people he is referring too or by the people who are undergoing what his music is talking about.
 

Mai Bee Lor Eng 201A 8-8:50am
3. What does Dyson mean when he says of Tupac’s audience, “the more you know about what he is saying, the smarter it must mean you are” (5)?
I think what Dyson is meaning to say is that Tupac is a great writer. Dyson believes that Tupac is very intelligent and he’s got style in his rap. Tupac expresses his feelings in a very bold way that is catchy yet not understood easily. Tupac knew and prophesied of current issues our world is dealing with up to today. How could he have known this? This challenges everyone to step up and learn more so we’ll be able to keep up and understand Tupac.
4. Why is Tupac a “legend” according to Dyson?
According to Dyson, Tupac is a legend because he’s considered the most influential rapper. He’s very literate and always seeks higher knowledge. He fearlessly rapped about the truth, and even before he died he knew what problems we’ll be facing today like failed political leadership, teenage pregnancy, economic inequality, and racism. As long as those issues remain then his music will live on. Poems he wrote are easily turned into music. His music made a big difference in people’s life. He’s also a legend because although his songs speak of the truth, he also gave us hope and to keep strong.
 

Mai Bee Lor English 201A 8-8:50am

5. Choose 5-10 sentences from 5 different pages (and compose both a literal and free paraphrase for each.
1. Original: In a great twist of irony, the only way that Tupac could lose his relevance would be if this country got its affairs in order.
Literal: The meaning of Tupac’s music can only die if this world was perfect.
Free: When America has truly come to world peace and equality then Tupac’s music will be history.
2. Original: The notion of truth, of authenticity, of the real, is a recurring themes in a narrative s that swirl around Tupac and that he spun for himself.
Literal: The act of honesty was like a motto for Tupac and he lived his life being honest.
Free: The way Tupac lived his life as an honest man and even spoke of the truth in poetry.
3. Original: His mother, Afeni, looms large in Tupacian lore; she was elevated in his beautiful “Dear Mama” but subject to public criticism by her son for her drug addiction and domestic instability before its release.
Literal: Tupac’s mother had a lot of influence on him and affected him much; he wrote a song about his mother’s issue.
Free: Quivering problems of Afeni, Tupac’s mother was known to the world in his song, “Dear Mama.”
4. Original: My pride was aching something awful, and my resentment at having to go this route was sweeping fast.
Literal: My ego was offended, and my stubbornness for choosing this path was coming quickly.
Free: Sooner than my unwillingness, I was insulted.
5. Original: Perhaps it is because he spoke straight from the heart that we recognized that a troubled prophet had risen to articulate a truth that we couldn’t possibly live without.
Literal: For the reason that we saw that Tupac was speaking honestly and sincerely of the reality that we knew we cannot pass on.
Free: We cannot ignore the truths about our society that were spoken by Tupac.
 

Jeffrey Sami
September, 2009
8-850/ 201A

1. From Listening to Tupac’s music and even some of his interviews, its easy to recognize that he was educated and had this "outsized literary ambition". Tupac not only seemed educated; he was also hungry for knowledge and constantly expressed his curiosity about numurous ideas and mysteries. Any great writer is also a big reader; there cannot be one without the other already established. Tupac was a great and truthful poet, therefore he had some reading to do.
4. Tupac is a legendary artist because he spoke truth of thins. Current events, politics, inner-city life and living were all recited about by Tupac. Just as like Bob Marley and many other legendary musicians. Tupac not only was a part of hip-hop culture, he was an integral part of it; his talent was not one sided. The topics he rapped about were not simply limited to being blasted in clubs and stereos, but very real issues that are worthy in community forums and political conference rooms.
1) Tupac's autobiographical movie almost exceeded the version of Moses' biblical story, created posthumously.
2) Tupac is now a common lucrative dead artist along with Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Bob Marley , and Micheal Jackson.
3) To the surprise of many, Tupac's lyrics would become a reality as how there became University courses directed toward his work.
4) It was Tupac's stellar creativity that fed his talent even though many interpreted it as harsh and troublesome.
5) While he commonly noted discrimination between people of different colors, Tupac hardly thought in plain terms.
 

Anthony G
sept.6,2009
Eng.201a
8-8:50

1.Tupac's literary ambition was to let his fans viewers educaters whoever payed attention to what he was talking about. Tupac used different methods to reach us he look at love and hate which song hail mary reach people state to state around the world even the unheard of places around the globe. He touched subject that was brittle like a brand new flesh wound it didnt matter to him he wanted people to the world for what it really is.

2.Dyson is a very influencial writer and alot of his work comes from great minds. tupac's artistic resume' comes from along list of very smart people who challege the world with their words. That's one thing tupac has done maya angelou, sun tzu, Richard wright, and following their work and right behind them is Dyson.

3.I think the reason Dyson say's if the more you knew about Tupac the smater it must mean you are.Tupac was beyond rap beyond your average street corner thug he was a genious he was well read poetic political and all of his work was based on life experience so his work was real. Real touches everybody even if you dont wanna be touched by it you will recognize real. Tupac was the voice of black men living in poverty.

4.I think Dyson thinks Tupac is a legend because just like he said "as long as the ghetto poor continue to suffer, their will be a shelf in the record shop devoted to Tupac". And that personal statement means his impact of his songs and poems touched people to their souls.

5. original( He regulary appears on the list of the top money earneres amongst dead artist.
- Tupac even though deceased top the charts in earnings amongst the deceased.
 

Renelle Cullors

English 201a

Sep 2, 2009



1. As the most influential rapper ever, Tupac is widely regarded.

As the most affected artist to the end of time, Tupac is widely advertised.



2. Literary ambition is one of the reasons Tupac still resonates in the culture.

Well read energy is one of the logics Tupac still reproduce in the urbanity



3. Neglected by his rap peers he would explore dimensions of the male psyche fearlessly and poetically.

Abandoned by other artist he would analyze dimensions of the manlike ego boldly and dramatically



4. Often dismissed because it was to dark or dangerous, Tupac fueled a gift of vibrant imagination.

Again and again ignored because it was to pitchy or alarming, Tupac had a gift of active conception
 

renee foster
september 2009
8-850 201A

3. I believe what Dyson is trying to say is that because tupac was so smart and passionate at expressing his thoughts in his lyrics. He was able to give the audience what was needed at the time,some people really understood tupac were they even seen him as a prophet and because he was so deep and prowerful they inbraced his knowledge on how to come up higher in the world.

4.I think the reason why tupac is a legend is because he was able to lead by a new example, to show his generation and the generation after that how to make it in the world. he was a heartfelt black men.that really expressed him self through his lyrics.tupac was able to show young kids how they can be like him and also how to make a living.
 

kevan Peabody
September 7
8-850
201A
1. According to Dyson tupacs outsized literary ambition was to reach out to the people around him. Tupac wanted to help everyone in the ghetto, but also wanted to tell people who didn’t no, How life is in the ghetto.He wanted to reach out to African Americans, and give them hope and a since of comfort. Tupac also spoke from his heart. He didn’t care about what people thought about him. If he didn’t like something then he would speak about it. He also expressed his anger and views on the world through is music. He talked about how the world was messed up and trough his music he said what changes he wanted to make. For example in one of his songs he talked about how there was no money for the poor but there is money for a war.

3. When Dyson says to the audience the more you know about what tupac is saying the more smarter it must mean you are he is referring to tupac being one of the poetic and great rappers of all time. Tupac was very smart and in his raps he expressed deep thoughts. Tupacs lyrics and ideas were magnificent. Tupacs words touched others as if he was a poet. He was far ahead in the rap game then any other rapper of that time. Tupacs lyrics were so deep it was almost impossible to understand him because he spoke from pain, struggle, and from his heart. So if you were able to understand him you no dought was smart.

5.1.original- He regularly appears on list of the top money earners among dead artist, alongside Elvis Presley, Marlyn Monroe, and Bob Marley.
free- alongside Elvis Presley, Marlyn Monroe, and Bob Marley tupac is on the list of top money earners that are dead.
2.orginal-He fearlessly and poetically, explored dimensions of the male psyche neglected by his rap peers.
free-tupac talked about what he wanted and his fans admired him.
3.Original-In tupac Resurrection, tupac nearly topped Moses feat in the bible of discussing his death in a work of art created after his demise.
free-in tupac resurrection, beat moses feat in the bible talking about not being alive in a form of art made after he died.
4.original-how could he proclaim peace while carrying a sword.
free-how can he want everyone to get along, and everything to be alright when he is armed and ready for war.
5.original-tupac words would prove more prophetic than anyone could have guessed, starting with a class at the university of an artist he was.California, Berkeley in 1998, a slew of college courses dedicated to studying tupacs body of work cropped up after his death.
5.free-students from the university of Berkeley focused on tupacs life after his death because they were interested in how smart and great of an artist he was.
 

Margaret Coleman Eng 201A

1.Tupac is widely regarded as the most influential rapper ever- " I put Tupac beyond Shakespear" says legendary rapper Nas- and one of the most important figures in music history.

Literal Paraphrase- Tupac is known for being one of the worlds favorite lyricist. " I feel he's better than Shakespear and is of significance in the history of music" quotes famous hip hop artist Nas.
Free Paraphrase- Tupac is recognized as one of the greatest hip hop artist. According to Nas, he is ranked higher than Shakespear and is very important in the music history.
2. One of the reasons Tupac still resonates inthe culture is his outsized literary ambition.
Literal Paraphrase- The reason Tupac continues to intensify the music world is his matter of fact desire.
Free Paraphrase- Tupac continues to excite the music industry because of his way with words.
3. He fearlessly, and poetically, explored dimensions of the male psyche neglected by his rap peers.
Literal Paraphrase- He was not afraid to display in the beauty of words and variety the thoughts of a man ignored by other rappers.
Free Paraphrase-Fellow rappers disregarded examining the soul of man in which Tupac captured without fear in his lyrics.
4. His language was inflamed with love thor the desperately poor; Tupac was a ghetto Dickens who explained the plight of the downtrodden in rebellious rhyme.
Literal Paraphrase- Tupac's words was engrossed with passion for the less fortunate. He was from the ghetto and expressed his life of poverty in his defiant lyrics.
Free Paraphrase- Tupac's ghetto life was put in his lyrics with also the passion for others in poverty.
5. His eager embrace of ethical ambivalence came off to critics as mere hypocrisy
Literal Paraphrase- His desire to readily accept the moral standards with conflicting feelings appeared to others to be not his actual thoughts.
Free Paraphrase- People judged his desire to rebell against moral standards to be false.
 

K.Adams
J.Bauer
English 201-A/B
M-W 1:00-2:50


Original Sentence:

1. Tupac is widely regarded as the most influential rapper ever_”I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare “says legendary rapper Nas and one of the most important figures in music history.

Literal paraphrase:
Tupac was known as the best entertainer worldwide. “Tupac follows Shakespeare, “says Nas, --one of the most influential icons in the music industry.

Free:
One of the best-known hip-hop artists was Tupac. The world’s greatest entertainer “following Shakespeare”, added Nas.

Original sentence:
2. Tupac’s words would prove more prophetic than anyone could have guessed: Starting with a class at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1998 a slew of college courses dedicated to the studying Tupac’s body of work-cropped up after his death.

Literal paraphrase:
Very prophetic were Tupac words that everyone could have thought. In 1998 Berkeley University in California, many professors taught classes about the prophetic when Tupac died.

Free:
Tupac was very poetic like a prophet. Many people could relate to him, even the Berkeley University that included lessons about the great prophetic Tupac.

Original Sentence:
3. One of the reasons Tupac still resonates in the culture is his outsized literary ambition.

Literal paraphrase:
In the music culture, Tupac is continuing to make profits for his big risks in his writings.

Free:
In the hip-hop culture, Tupac is making money daily off his big go for it type of writing.

Original Sentence:
4. He fearlessly and poetically explored dimensions of the male psyche neglected by his rap peers.

Literal paraphrase:
He was not afraid to speak his mind about the dealings of male, like some of his rap peers.

Free:
He spoke the truth about males keeping it real, unlike his other rapper friends.



Original Sentence:
5. The Vibrant imagination that fueled Tupac’s gift was often dismissed, perhaps because it was too dark, too dangerous.

Literal paraphrase:
People assumed that his lyrics were too explicit and truthful. Tupac’s gift of expressing himself was also disregarded as too risky.


Free: Tupac vision was regarded as dark and weary suspecting danger and too revealing.
His lightened talents were too much for some.
 

Earnest Davis
September 4,2009
8-8:50 AM
English 201A

#3) What does Dyson mean when he says of Tupac’s audience, “the more you know about what he is saying, the smarter it must mean you are”?
-I Think Dyson is saying to the audience,you may understand Tupac
better if you experienced some of the things he went threw.You can say,you understand what he's talking about because you might of seen a simular case on t.v.But unless u have or had it happen to you first hand, they won't get the actual feeling.
#4)Why is Tupac a “legend” according to Dyson?
-Dyson's meaning of "legend" in the quote,to me, means that Tupac was the best. I believe he was and still is, a role model as well as a motivater, in most of everybody eyes. Even after his death, he was never forgotten. Tupac's music and lyrics were spread around the world to tell a story about his life and the struggles african americans deal with. He is a legend in me, because i can relate to most songs, quotes, and writings that were from him.
 

Julianne Bauer
September 21,2009
M,W 1-2:50
201B

1)According to Dyson, what is Tupac "outsized literary? Give three examples.

The First example Tupac liked to express his ideas in his music and he would want to tell the truth in music. The Second example Tupac wanted to send a message to people.
The third example Tuapc rarely thought of racism.

2)Dyson talk to Big Boy and he said he that tupac wasn't afraid to say on his mind. Ray J said that he was the greatest poests out there. Dyson also talk to others such as Larenz Tate and Warren G. Tate said he was a hip-hop version of Elvis Presley. And Warren G said that he "laid down a real message that you can feel fom the heart." Dyson also talk to Big Tray Dee he said that Tupac was a workaholic and he also said that he wrote three or four songs a day.

3) I think Dyson was trying to say that Tupac was telling the truth about what he was saying in his music, he never lied. Tupac always told the truth about things.

4) Dyson ask about what other rappers felt about him. They said that he was an important figure in music hitory.