Finally, a story is being told about the man behind me getting a nose ring at thirteen, my teenage crush Tupac. To a young girl finding her way and using words as a method to communicate, Tupac’s music became an integral part of my life. I remember lying across my bed many nights and summer Saturdays blasting his music, thinking how lyrically talented he was. Even worse, I would repeatedly watch him play Bishop in the 1992 classic Juice. Ladies, I know you remember Bishop, that sexy thug with that swag, before we even knew what swag was.
Oh, how I miss the ’90s.
Directed by Benny Boom, All Eyez on Me is the true untold story of the many faces of Tupac Shakur, played by Demetrius Shipp Jr. Tupac—poet, rapper, activist, and bad boy—was one of the music world’s most influential voices, and to this day continues to have an impact on the hip-hop community. The beautiful Kat Graham portrays Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tupac’s childhood friend (they were classmates at Baltimore School for the Arts).
In case you don’t know what All Eyez on Me refers to, it is the name of Tupac’s dope-ass double-disc album produced by Suge Knight and Dr. Dre, with hits like “I Ain’t Mad at Cha,” “How Do U Want It” (feat. K-Ci & JoJo), and “California Love.”
All Eyez on Me debuts on BET on Tupac’s birthday, June 16. Will you be watching?