In “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” Tupac deftly shapes meter, defines his own rhythm, and presents an image that conveys the deepness of his feeling. But in “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” Tupac also honors and celebrates the resilience and perseverance of Black people in America.
This poem follows in the tradition of African American writers like Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, and Ralph Ellison, who helped expose the injustices suffered by Black people in America through their literature. It’s worth noting that Tupac considered himself a revolutionary and an activist, and much of his family including his mother were members of the Black Panther Party. Much like in Tupac’s rap verses, the poet makes use of rhyme, slant rhyme, repetition, assonance, and other poetic techniques that effect the rhythm and musicality of the poem.
In this poem and others in the collection, Tupac explores various English and American poetic traditions and techniques but creates a unique style, displaying his mastery over language. Tupac read and wrote poetry from a young age, so his poetry writing no doubt influenced his music, especially in songs like Thugz Mansions and Dear Mama, where he shows a sensitive side not commonly associated with the “Gangsta Rap” for which he was known and often criticized. Although Tupac was most known as a rapper and an actor, his other interests included poetry writing.
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