Hip Hop Magazine XXL Sells Out Hip Hop Icon Tupac by John, TLA staff writer.

As an avid fan of the late hip-hop icon and rap megastar Tupac (2Pac) Shakur, and always wanting to gather more news and information whether old or new; I was pleased to find out that the rap magazine XXL was featuring a dedication to the rapper as this September is the 10th anniversary of the late rapper’s passing.

Whisking the magazine off the hip-hop shelves I immediately turned to the start of the article were the editor answered ten questions about Tupac. After reading his response about the best Tupac album since his passing; his selection being the “Resurrection OST” (obviously “R U Still Down” must have passed through his office too quickly), I ignored the rest of the questions and answers and turned to page 110 of the hip-hop magazine.

The top left hand cover features a colour photo of Tupac’s autopsy. Now this photo is copyrighted to begin with, but that’s not my point here. My point is this magazine has a responsibility to the public, in no way is printing this photo any dedication to Tupac’s memory. It’s totally disrespectful to Tupac, his family and friends and all the fans that have been touched in some way by the greatest rapper of all time. Printing this picture is a blatant attempt to sell this hip-hop magazine. I have sat in my arm chair for hours trying to think of why a publication of this stature would do such a thing. 

I come to the same verdict every time; to sell copies of the magazine.  Now I understand that the hip-hop magazine cannot please everyone. People have different tastes and opinions. But printing this picture will not benefit anyone, it will only cause distress.

I used to buy this hip-hop magazine every month, I love hip-hop and what it represents, but this represents nothing but bad taste. If I am the only person who stops buying this hip-hop magazine then at least I am not contributing to actions that damage and will eventually kill hip-hop.

*Additional info on this XXL 'Tupac feature' -* http://www.thuglifearmy.com/news/?id=2965