Having become one of the most successful and influential musical artists in the world, Shakur was tragically murdered in 1996 at the age of just twenty-five.
Like his music, his poetry is largely concerned with social issues, particularly the treatment of African Americans and systemic inequality. While predominately known as a rapper, Shakur’s interest in poetry has come to light since his death in 1996, as demonstrated by a book of haikus he wrote aged just eleven, which was auctioned in 2022. ‘ The Rose That Grew From Concrete‘ is the title poem of Shakur’s 1999 collection, though it was written between 19 when Shakur was still a teenager. Ultimately, the poem concludes by heralding the rose and celebrating its ability to grow and provide beauty where nobody thought it was possible. This is largely attributed to the flower’s unique qualities, as the poet imbues it with personality and individualism. It continues by exploring how the rose was able to thrive despite its less-than-ideal surroundings. The poem begins by asking whether the reader or some other figure had ever heard about the titular rose, which immediately establishes the flower’s growth to be something out of the ordinary. ‘ The Rose That Grew From Concrete‘ explores ideas including perseverance and belief through an extended metaphor.
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