Both broke into the music industry at an early age.Both recorded No.1 albums.Both signified change in their respective genres Both died leaving unanswered questions.
WAS 2PAC FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ELVIS?
STORY AND COMMENTARY BY DAVE BREITENSTEIN ILLUSTRATION BY MICAH LAAKER
Elvis Aron Presley and Tupac Amaru Shakur revolutionized music in the modern era and are considered by some people to be two of the most influential singers in the music industry. Presley, with his gyrating hips and flashy jumpsuits, popularized rock n' roll and made it a formidable form of music. Shakur, with his stunning lyrics about street life, popularized gangsta rap in the United States.
Although both artists are dead, their careers are on the upswing. Elvis' estate will rake in the money once Radio Corporation of America releases a 100-song, four-CD set this summer. Listeners will be treated to 77 songs that Presley never performed publicly. Shakur, more commonly known by his stage name of 2Pac, has a leading role in the recently released movie Grilllock'd and also has had an album released since his death.
Both men eventually were successful in music, movies and popularity, and their careers were parallel in several ways.
Humble Beginnings
Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss., on Jan. 8, 1935, and was raised in the South by his father after his mother died. Presley was regarded by his peers to be a pretty boy, which often got him beaten up. After graduating from high school, he drove a truck for a year before beginning his singing career at age 19.
His first recording, That's All Right, Mama, was an instant success and a precursor to the fame that his future songs would achieve.
Shakur was born in New York City on June 16, 1971, and attended a performing arts high school in Baltimore, seeking to improve his vocal and music-writing skills. But he and his family later moved to Oakland, Calif., where he admitted ran with the wrong crowd. But just a few years later, he was using his diverse talents to become a star.
His first gig was as a dancer for Digital Underground, when he decided to release his own album, 2Pacalypse Now, which was a smash hit.
Music Careers
COMMENTARY
Elvis was considered the king of rock 'n' roll and brought a new style to rock music in the 1950s. Some of his well-known singles included Hound Dog, Love Me Tender and All Shook Up. His on-stage demeanor was considered so offensive to some that television networks would show him only from the waist up since his pelvic movements and hand gestures were regarded to be laden with sexual connotations.
"He wasn't the first to do rock 'n' roll, but he was the one who popularized it," Katich said. "He had an impact far beyond his talent."
John Katich, associate professor of journalism, wrote and produced Elvis Prosley Remembered, a six-hour documentary, in 1982. He said that Elvis' performances were viewed as provocative by broadcasters in Presley's time because of his lower-body movements.
vince the music industry to steer away from songs about gangs, drugs and violence.
The immense success of his music is mind-boggling for today's listeners—three Grammys, three platinum records, 35 gold records and 106 top-40 songs.
2Pac hit the music scene in a period when rap just was beginning to be accepted by the American public. Shakur's real-life vocals brought the street knowledge of inner-city gang life to suburban listeners. If I Die 2Nite and Death Around the Corner reflect 2Pac's fear of being killed on the street. Shakur was targeted by former Vice President Dan Quavle in his battle to con-
But 2Pac also sang sother ballads. Brenda's Got a Baby tells of a young girl's pregnancy in a hopeless ghetto, and Dear Mama is an apologetic ballad dedicated to his mother for the extra work that she put in while raising him.
Kathleen McCallum, sales manager at Streetside Records, 1403 W. 23rd St., said that sales of Shakur's albums always had been brisk but that since his death, sales had increased.
"That tends to happen when artists die," she said. "Most of our stores saw increases immediately after his death."
All Eyes on Me, a two-CD set released after Shakur's death, already has sold more than 6 million copies.
Film appearances
The film industry capitalized on Presley's immense following by casting him in 33 movies. Most were obscure roles, but by naming him as a cast member, film revenue was greatly increased. His starring appearances included Viva Las Vegas (1963) and Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966).
Elvis was a frequent guest of The Ed Sullivan Show, which always tallied huge numbers of viewers. His concerts usually were sellouts, and tickets were cherished.
In Shakur's brief career, he starred in several movies, including Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993) and Gridlock'd (1997). Those films exemplified the rough street life portrayed in his songs. Scriptwriters shaped 2Pac's roles to fit his character — intense, energetic and brash.
Shakur performed few concerts because promoters stayed away from the potentially violent lyrics, saying that audience members would become "fired up" during the performance and cause trouble.
Bob Butler, movie editor for the Kansas City Star, said that the
the kansas City Star, said that the movie industry could make a profit by casting a controversial celebrity such as Shakur but that it wasn't a guarantee.
"Notority has always sold more tickets," he said. "Hollywood will always take advantage of it if they can. But it isn't a sure deal. When you decide to go ahead with something like that, you have a 50-50 chance of getting burned."
But official documents state that Elvis died from natural causes, brought on after he suffered cardiac arrhythmia, possibly caused by an overdose of prescription medication.
Mysterious deaths
Elvis is alive. At least that's what some of Presley's fans say. Since Aug. 16, 1977, many followers of the King have refused to accept testimonies by Elvis' family, friends and even the coroner that Presley's life ended on that fateful summer day.
After his 1973 divorce from his wife, Priscilla Presley, Elvis' career took a downhill slide, and he began taking diet pills to lose weight. In 1977, doctors had prescribed many medications to combat his problems. He was discovered unconscious and hunched over his toilet after overdosing.
The legitimacy of his death is debated for several reasons: His girlfriend was the only one who saw his dead body, his personal physician was the only one to pronounce him dead, and he supposedly has been seen countless times since his death.
The 20th anniversary of Elvis' death is this August, and Katich, associate professor of journalism, said that thousands of fans from all generations would make the
HILLtopics
Wednesday,
April 30, 1997
Page 8A
Questions also were raised about 2Pac's death. Las Vegas police reports state that Shakur was shot four times in a drive-by shooting, but the gunman has not been found. 2Pac was en route to a charity event for an organization that intended to keep children away from violence. He never made it there.
Many uncertainties are floating around the Internet about the strange coincidences of
Internet about the strange coincidences of
the shooting. The producer of his album
The 7-Day Theory simply was listed as "Simon," the man who had helped Jesus carry the cross. 2Pac died on Friday the 13th. Fellow rapper Chuck D does not believe Shakur was killed.
"2Pac always wore a bulletproof vest, but for some strange reason he didn't wear one this time. Why not?" asks Chuck D, on his Internet site (www.geocities.com/Sunset-Strip3937/tupac1.html)
About every American has seen Elvis impersonators. For generations rock 'n' roll fans will recognize the sequined jumpsuit and thick sideburns. Roby boomers still flare on the
oldies stations to hear Elvis ask, "Are you lonesome tonight?"
The legacy of 2Pac is not yet determined. But in a short time, he pushed gangsta rap into the spotlight. His music affected everyone who listened to it, both positively and negatively.
"Despite some of his shortcomings, he always gave you something with his music."
said rapper Coolio, according to the Associated Press. "He gave you something to think about, or he gave you something to laugh about, or he gave you something to cry about."
Legacies
Questions? Comments? E-mail Dave at: dbreitten.kansan.com
WEDNESDAY
- Student Recital: Stefanie Moore, soprano; 7:30 p.m. at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
- Concert Band: 7:30 p.m. at Topeka Performing Arts Center. Free.
- Groov-a-licious: 9:30 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Cost: cover.
Cats: 8 p.m. at Nouvelle Deli, 129 E.
10th St. Free.
Free.
- University Theatre Series. *Abide with Me;* 8 p.m. at Murphy Hall. Cost: $12 public, $6 students and $11 senior citizens. Tickets available at the Murphy Hall, Lied Center and SUA box offices.
THURSDAY
- Student Recital: Dan Mitchum, clarinet; 7:30 p.m. at Sawmouth Recital Hall.
- Bastard Squad and Dr. Jones: 9:30 p.m.
at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
Cost: $4 and $5.
- Student Recital: Student Composers' Electronic Music Works; 7:30 p.m. at Swarthownt Recital Hall, Free.
FRIDAY
- University Theatre Series: Abide with Me; 8 p.m. at Murphy Hall. Cost: $12 public, $6 students and $11 senior citizens. Tickets available at the Murphy Hall, Lied Center and SUA box offices.
- Wakeland, Huckleberry and Crumbox:
9:30 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New
Hampshire St. Cost: $5 and $6.
- Spring Concert: University Dance
Company, KU Symphony Orchestra, KU Concert Choir, University Singers and Women's Chorale; 8 p.m. at the Lied Center. Cost: $6 public, $4 students and senior citizens. Tickets available at the Murphy Hall, Lied Center and SUA box offices.
- Side By Side By Sondheim: 8 p.m. at the Helen Hocker Theater in Gage Park, Topela. Tickets available at the Theater Box Office in Gage Park.
SATURDAY
- Day On the Hill: SUA-sponsored outdoor concert; noon to 6 p.m. at Campanile Hill. Free.
- University Theatre Series: Abide with
  Me; 8 p.m. at Murphy Hall. Cost: 12$ public, $6 students and $11 senior citizens.
Tickets available at the Murphy Hall, Lied Center and SUA box offices.
- Frogpond, Fake Book and Crumbox:
9:30 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New
Hampshire St. Cost: $4 and $5.
- Spring Concert: University Dance Company, KU Symphony Orchestra, KU Concert Choir, University Singers and Women's Chorale; 8 p.m. at the Lied Center. Cost: $6 public; $4 students and senior citizens. Tickets available at the Murphy Hall, Lied Center and SUA box offices.
- Side By Side by Sondheim; 8 p.m. at the Helen Hocker Theater in Gage Park, Topela. Tickets available at the Theater Box Office in Gage Park.
2:30 p.m. at Bales Recital Hall, Free.
- Doctoral Recital: Dina Evans, organ;
SUNDAY
- Side By Side By Sandheim: 2:30 p.m. at the Helen Hocker Theater in Gage Park, Topeka. Tickets available at the Theater Box Office in Gage Park.
- *Swing Set:* 9:30 p.m. at The Bottleneck,
737 New Hampshire St. Free.
- Doctoral Recital: Alexandra Mascolo-David, piano; 3:30 p.m. at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
MONDAY
- Boys Life, The Regrets and Kerosene 454: 9:30 p.m. at The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. Cover. cover.
TUESDAY
- Sleater-Kinney: 9:30 p.m. at The Bottle neck, 737 New Hampshire St. Cost: $5.