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Reason First: Were Tupac and Madonna the Ultimate Couple in Popular Music History?

A letter by the rapper about breaking up with the pop star outlines how the two artists had to cut off their relationship.

By Skyler SaundersPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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With her worn out body and waning importance in the sphere of modern music, Madonna no longer has the rights to the letter that slain rapper and actor Tupac penned for her while he was still incarcerated at the Clinton Correctional Facility. The succinct and pointed letter could fetch up to $300,000 at auction. For a letter that is over two decades old and written by a dead hip hop artist, the artifact sets a precedent. Madonna had a spectacular run through the eighties up until the early aughts. She now has the relevance of a DVD player. She can still perform but she lacks the power and ability as the new guns like Ariana Grande.

Tupac’s letter signals to the world the tragic circumstances behind some interracial relationships. Throughout time, men and women have been beaten, tortured, mutilated, raped, hanged, and set ablaze for even considering to date outside of their race. The romance that Tupac and Madonna showed was similar to a modern day Shakespeare’s Othello. Precision and intrigue proved to be in tune with the artists’ tryst. From an original gangster’s perspective, Tupac may have been too infatuated with Madonna and wanted to call off the whole thing before she got mentally or even physically hurt. All of the strain and pain, the anguish that Tupac’s words convey a young man dealing with the wiles of an even more famous white woman. As he writes that “everyone is treated by their color or fame” he is reaching out and appealing to their shared spotlight. Albeit, Madonna’s was much brighter. To note that Madonna should “please be careful” is a load of tragic irony. Death would visit Tupac just months after he jotted this end of an affair love letter.

Tupac wrote that the couple “shared magic” together. Although the two remained polar opposites as recording artists, they shared similar insights into the business of music. Both of them could relate to the outpouring of love from supporters and the vicious sting from subjective haters. Their bond though brief, underscored the reality interracial couples in America. How they navigated through the limelight showed their inner strength and wisdom to at least come together as kindred souls.

Mindfelt and sincere, the “Changes” rapper elevates his message game in the letter saying, “please remember me not for my shortcomings but for the good times.” He wanted to let the “Papa Don’t Preach” pop star know of his true spirit and how he wished her to remember him.

Every line of the piece constitutes a young man struggling to find his place in the world while communicating a cogent and clear response. His emotions seem to be in check and he is able to give off a sense of clarity and understanding of Madonna’s point of view.

Now, in the 21st century, Madonna is barely hanging onto any speck of influence. She had battled to keep Tupac’s words but ultimately a judge decided in favor of Darlene Lutz. A percentage of the sale will be donated to breastcancer.org, as Miss Lutz is a cancer victor. But where does that leave the two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees? As Tupac has been deceased for more than twenty years and Madonna’s limelight has dimmed considerably, should Madonna now just auction off her Grammys and other memorabilia? Should Tupac’s estate release even more music never heard by individuals outside of his circle?

What is clear is that Tupac expressed genuine love for Madonna. He poured out his mind to show her just how real their love was and why it had to end.

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Skyler Saunders

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