The Rose that Grew from Concrete

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1999

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Poem Analysis

Themes

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Related Poems

The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur (1999)

Published after his death, this book of 72 poems is Tupac Shakur’s only collection of poetry.

The deeply personal poems reveal a tender, gentler side to the rapper. The poems touch on many of the same subjects Tupac rapped about and employ poetic techniques that add musicality to the page.

“Harlem” by Langston Hughes (1951)

This poem written in 1951 by famous African American poet and writer Langston Hughes exhibits many of the same elements in style and subject matter that Tupac tackles in the “The Rose That Grew from Concrete.” The plight of Black people in America, for example, is at the heart of both poems. The simple, conversational style that both poets use is similar, as well as the musicality in the poems.

“In a Station at the Metro” by Ezra Pound (1913)

This is one of the most famous poems by “the father of Modernism,” Ezra Pound. It shows the use of the Imagist tenets that gave way to Modernism such as using no superfluous words, developing an “absolute” or original rhythm that’s not dictated by adherence to poetic meters, and the use of images to convey ideas and feelings. It is similar to “The Rose That Grew from Concrete” in conciseness of language and the rendering of an image to convey feeling and emotion.

“Identity” by Julio Noboa Polanco (1973)

Julio Noboa Polanco’s poem “Identity” addresses similar themes to “The Rose That Grew from Concrete.” Noboa Polanco affirms that he’d rather be a weed pushing through dirt if it means maintaining his induvial freedom and identity. The overarching parallel between the two poems is one of perseverance against a system that routinely seeks to keep people oppressed.

Further Literary Resources

“To Die Like A Gansta” by Jonathan Becker (1997)

This in-depth article was published just a year after Tupac’s death and looks deep into Tupac’s complicated life to give a bigger picture of who he really was and where he came from. Following his mom’s incarceration and the birth of Tupac and terminating with the story of his death, a crime that has never been solved, Becker’s “To Die Like a Gangsta” paints an empathetic portrait of one of America’s most enigmatic and misunderstood artists.

"Biography: Tupac Shakur"

This article by Biography talks about Tupac’s upbringing, rise to fame, and untimely death at the hands of gun violence. It gives a more concise view of his life and the legacy he has left.

Book of Rhymes: the Poetics of Hip Hop by Adam Bradley (2009)

This book delves deep into the connection between hip hop and poetry. Bradley explores different American and English poetic traditions and the influence they’ve had on hip hop. He looks at techniques that both rappers and poets use, like rhyme, assonance, alliteration, and wordplay, and examines the metrics and style of some of the greatest rappers, including Tupac.

BET Interview with Ed Gordon (1994)

In this interview with Ed Gordon from BET, Tupac discusses his art, artistry, and life at the height of his career. Tupac responds to questions about the violence in his lyrics and the necessity to carry a weapon, as well as some of things people often overlook about his rap and art, like the social message and the sensitivity in some of his songs.

Listen to the Poem

“The Rose That Grew from Concrete” by Universal Music Group (2018)

This is a musical rendering of Tupac interviews and various artists and poets such as Nikki Giovanni reading the poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete.” By listening to the different recitations of the poems, you can get a sense of the intensity of the rhythms of the poem. Listening to Tupac talk about the poem, and what the rose meant for him, cut into the beginning and end of the song, also rounds out the experience.