Rating: 
Summary: A Surprisingly Powerful Read
Review: I purchased this book because I was intrigued, but admittedly hesitant, about Tupac Shakur's life. I knew the bare outlines of his life and work, but this book enlightened me about Tupac Shakur's complex views and complicated journey to maturity. I was astonished with the things Dyson revealed, such as Tupac's voracious reading habits and his extraordinary compassion. But the most riveting feature of Dyson's compelling book is his discussion of Tupac's religious beliefs, about which I knew relatively little.This is a beautifully written book, always a surprising feat in an academic. But Dyson is no dry-to-the-bones writer. His style is engaging, his prose clean and elegant. I was surprised by Dyson's explorations of a host of subjects that are central to Tupac Shakur's life, such as racial identity, gender relations, religious beliefs, and death, all of which have a strong impact on many people besides the dead rapper. If you are interested in learning about hip-hop culture and the black youth who are its primary creators, this book is necessary. Like one of the endorsements said on the back of Dyson's book, this book will in short order be considered a classic of its kind.
Rating: 
Summary: Tupac Will Never Die!!
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. I am 2Pac's #1 fan. I try to read everything that I can to learn more about 2Pac's life. His words are so real. His life has been amazing. I find him so interesting. I own every album that he has ever made. I think his music is so passionate and a lot of people can relate to his lifestyle. It saddens me that he only had a short time to live. He has made a great impact on many people's lives. And I believe that he will continue to do so for years to come. He's such a talented artist and I respect him so much. This book has many quotes from all the people that knew him. They give their input on his views and his lifestyle-mostly all positive. It makes people understand why he lived the way he lived. I recommend anybody who loves 2Pac to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Tupac is the biggest legend, i love him so much
Review: I really feel for Tupac. I feel like i understood him. Like there's a part of him in me just from reading his poetry. Anybody who doesnt like Tupac can go to hell. I am one of his biggest fans in the world. I have everything. His posters etc. He is my man. He has so much talent. he is so good looking too.
Rating: 
Summary: too wordy
Review: I think the author spent more time with his face in his thesaurus then he did researching. why can't writers just WRITE!? why do they always have to spin webs of diction and prose, JUST WRITE so we can JUST READ.
Rating:
Summary: too wordy
Review: I think the author spent more time with his face in his thesaurus then he did researching. why can't writers just WRITE!? why do they always have to spin webs of diction and prose, JUST WRITE so we can JUST READ.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is not what it seems
Review: I was sorely dissapointed with this book simply because it strayed from the subject. Dyson misinterprets Tupac's work and despite his "search" he fails to show a truthful portrayal of Tupac. Dyson is much more concerned with voicing his opinions about the issues which plague black culture than with Tupac's life and career. The amount of actual information about Pac in this book is astonishingly small. The interpretation is clearly from the perspective of a man who does not identify with rap, and especially with Pac. I consider Tupac to be one of the greatest rappers of all time but fail to see him as the glorified figure which Dyson briefly portrays him to be. The highlights of this book are few and far between. Clearly Dyson is a talented writer but he wrote to the wrong audience in this book. I found that his insight was unneccessary in many parts, and he over-analyzes the overall perspective. The primary problem with this book is that the title is very misleading. The book uses Pac as an example to preach the thoughts of Dyson concerning the state of black society. Dyson forgot that this book was written about a rapper, not a saint. His thoughts on young black men was not the reason I picked up this book.
Rating:
Summary: Listen and Learn
Review: In "Holler If You Hear Me," Micheal Dyson developes a critical analysis of legend rapper, Tupac Shakur. Dyson is well known as an intellectual scholar of hip-hop culture. "Holler" is not a formal biography of Tupac, but moreso an extended essay that attempts to place the life, music, and contradictions of Tupac in a cultural, political context. He explores Tupac's work and life in context of his relationship with his mother, a former Black Panther Party member, and as a youth growing up in a post-Black Panther Party era. Tupac's experiences living in poverty with a drug addicted mother certaintly sheds serious light on his work and lifestyle. Dyson helps us understand more clearly Tupac as an artist whose life and work was full of love for Black cultural life, but also as a tortured brotha who, like many men, got drawn into a machismo, sexist world. In essence, Tupac, writes Dyson, adopted "a creed that at once reflected his fractured home life and affirmed his essential aloneness and his combativeness with the universe he inherited, a stance that captured the domestic alienation of millions of other black youth in his song "Me Against the World." Personally, I've always had a problem with Tupac's ganster lifestyle and performance. I always felt that because he was looked up to by so many young people that he should have been a better role model for the hip-hop generation. But in reading Dyson's book, I discovered more about Tupac. First off, I didn't realize that he was so well read--that he read widely and continously: authors inlcuding Richard Wright, Gabriel Marquez, Carl Jung, Alice Walker, feminist Susan McClary and Robin Morgan, and George Orwell. He listened to all types of music, and he reflected deeply about God and spirituality. These literary and spiritual experiences and quests had a great influence on his own work. Dyson also points out that Tupac's "stirring raps made many people see suffering they had never before acknowledged. It helped many desperately unhappy young people reclaim a sense of hope and humanity." Pac was rapping from the bottom (from the oppressed and exploited masses), but he did so from a artists point of view. Thus, if we're disturbed by his contridictions, we have to remember that much of his torment as an artist comes out of a racist, class divide in this country that has essentially marginalized and attacked young people--especially African males. Dyson's book is not the definitive work on Tupac, but he certaintly raises critical questions and analysis that will be useful in present and future studies of this hip-hop icon.
Rating:
Summary: "Prolific Genius"
Review: In Michael Eric Dyson's new book, "Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur" the life and longevity of rap legend Tupac Shakur is the subject of extreme critical analysis. Through several candid interviews with those who knew the infamous rapper best, Dyson attempts to paint a portrait of the controversial rap artist. Tupac has been coined by the Long Beach Arts, Entertainment and Literary Review as "A prolific genius that emerged from the ghetto to enlighten presidents, principalities and oppressive forces in our society about the injustices of the hood." According to Dyson, Tupac was a powerful force that could quote Shakespeare one minute and curse police brutality the next. Dyson's work is particularly significant in that he is actually documenting the history of a hip hop legend that we should never forget. The struggles that Tupac Shakur spoke about in his music, are still just as relevant today. We should never forget the rapper who gave a voice to those who otherwise never stood a chance at being heard. Dyson's work clearly documents prolific genius at it's best. *The Long Beach Arts, Entertainment & Literary Review
Rating:
Summary: "Prolific Genius"
Review: In Michael Eric Dyson's new book, "Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur" the life and longevity of rap legend Tupac Shakur is the subject of extreme critical analysis. Through several candid interviews with those who knew the infamous rapper best, Dyson attempts to paint a portrait of the controversial rap artist. Tupac has been coined by the Long Beach Arts, Entertainment and Literary Review as "A prolific genius that emerged from the ghetto to enlighten presidents, principalities and oppressive forces in our society about the injustices of the hood." According to Dyson, Tupac was a powerful force that could quote Shakespeare one minute and curse police brutality the next. Dyson's work is particularly significant in that he is actually documenting the history of a hip hop legend that we should never forget. The struggles that Tupac Shakur spoke about in his music, are still just as relevant today. We should never forget the rapper who gave a voice to those who otherwise never stood a chance at being heard. Dyson's work clearly documents prolific genius at it's best. *The Long Beach Arts, Entertainment & Literary Review
Rating:
Summary: Sad Stuff...
Review: It is hard to know where to start here. I read this book hoping to learn about Tupac, which I did, but not as much as I had wished. It was more a soap box for the rhetoric of a confused, hate filled man. Now, I must say this: I could feel the hate pouring out of Dyson's confused writing, directed straight at me, a white male. I am the typical white male who's ancestors had nothing to do with the slave thing, but of course, since I am white, I am forced to have no people and to pay for the sins of other's forefathers here in America, therefore I see this book as a definitive work on a hopeless nation of hate, greed, and confusion (the same way Tupac saw it, ironically).
...Tupac had scores of supporters (espically Dyson) based on the color of his skin. Dyson claims that Tupac, despite all his shortcomings, is a saint and a martyr...he also says that his mother was this marvelous black panther activist, even after interviewing her and she states that her involvement was nothing really much more than hanging out with them!!! I have nothing against Tupac, in fact, I can honestly say that this work would not please him. As amazing as it sounds, this book, on top of the WTC incident and all the other things of late, have shown me that this is no place to live...im outta America very soon...its all yours, Dyson. Have fun!
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