2pac Keep your Head UP

Writers:2pac Shakur, Stan Vincent, Daryl L. Anderson, Rodger Troutman
Album: 2pac Greatest Hits (1998)
Title:Keep Ya Head Up
Artist: 2pac

The overall message of this song is that African American women are strong beyond their knowledge and can overcome any obstacles put in their way; the writer uses as an example the growing number of single black mothers and how they find a way to make it. He speak to the struggle of the black race as a whole and informs that he understands the struggle of black people and that he cares for his people.

Lyrics: Cause I think we can make it/ In fact I'm sure/ And if you fall stand tall and come back for more/ You can't complain you were dealt this hell of a hand, without a man feeling helpless/ but there's too many things for you to deal with dying inside/ but outside you're looking fearless.

The above lines of 2pac's keep your head up speak to a belief that women can overcome the unfortunate obstacles that have been put in their way;he's sure to inform he's understands her struggle and is not making light of it but he goes on to say she has to overcome because others depend on her. He then goes on to encourage her by impling she's strong because no one can tell that she is hurting.

Chorus:Keep ya head up/ Oooh child things are goona get easier/Ooh child things will get brighter/Keep ya head up/ Ooh ooh child things are goona get easier/ Keep ya head up/ OOOH child things will get brighter

The song Keep Your Head Up by 2pac is extremely important because it sends a positive message. 2pac was a very well known, influential artist. This means that he was able to reach alot of individuals with his work. I feel it was extremly laudable of him to put a positive message in this song because unfortunatly a lot of rappers from his era were choosing to do the opposite. This songs speaks to a struggle that he understands personally and he does a magnificent job of bringing hope to situations that seem impossible to fathom;let alone actually encounter.
He does a wonderful job of speaking to the actual struggles that black women face on a daily basis. It means a lot coming from him because he knew the black community personally. He offers comforting words to the women and makes it a priority to inform black women that they/we are important to him. He goes on to say he cares for them/us and that he realizes they/we should be treated much better then most individuals choose to treat us. He also speaks to the strenth of a black women which in my opinion can't be measured.
This song speaks to multiple issues briefly. It talks about his mom ( a black women) and her strength. He speaks about the "ghetto", abortion, a lack of "real" men in the community, drug use, political issues, women as single parents, jail, death, depression, a conspiracy and other issues. It seems to me that there would be no way to put a positive message in a song so full of extremely harsh circumstances involved; yet 2pac found a way. Throughout the song the message is you can make it, be strong, it will get better, it will get easier, I know it's hard and I understand. Brilliant! Keep your head up is a masterpiece that has the potential to empower any listener. I listen to it often and I must say I'm empowered every time I hear it!