Paxton Baker, a 30-year veteran entertainment industry executive and longtime music memorabilia collector, explained in an interview with Ambrosia For Heads why historical memorabilia is so crucial to the preservation of Hip Hop culture. More specifically, he focused on Tupac Shakur’s invaluable influence and called him the “most cherished and iconic African American figure.”
“He was a very, very colorful figure and, as an artist, was probably up there with the greatest artists of our lifetime,” Baker said, putting artifacts from ‘Pac in the same regard as those from presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
It was reported early Monday (March 20) that Tupac’s handwritten lyrics for “Dear Mama” are priced at $75,000, which Baker said is simply because “people want Tupac Shakur.” Other items belonging to the slain West Coast rap legend will also be up for sale at Baker’s upcoming Black Heritage Auction on April 7.
Baker plans to build the auction around Shakur, who is being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that day, but it will also feature a slew of collectable items ranging from living contemporary artists to others who have passed, but left their indelible mark on music history and beyond, including James Brown, Miles Davis, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.
“On this auction that we’re working on right now, the Black Heritage Auction, we have contemporary people in there like Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, and other artists who are contemporary living artists, as well as other artists who have recently passed on,” he said. “Our heroes are just as important as any other American hero.”
For more information and to check out some of the items available at the auction, visit the Black Heritage Auction website here.
https://youtu.be/H4rclNBvEl8
Tupac is overrated. Everyone acts like he’s god. If he was loved by everyone, how come he couldn’t fill arenas or pull numbers like what Drake is currently doing? At the time other rappers weren’t saying he was GOAT, they only said that AFTER he was murdered.
Lol ur an idiot to say that !!! If pac was alive the game will be different and drake cant be compared to Pac never did and never will
2PAC was a musician who wrote his own lyrics. Drake is a cornball iPhone rapper who can’t even remember his lyrics because he has ghostwriters
If good music is about numbers for you then you’ll remain shallow minded
You fuckboy if Pac would be alive Drake would be working at Burger King! Ah forgot you just 12 years old kid who knows shit!
WTF, 2Pac was HUUUUGEEE in his day – without a doubt a larger name than Drake is now so don’t speak on shit you don’t know nothing about..
People stay making money off of famous people who died.
you Americans have a huge problem!
So fuck Malcom X , a criminal is our best roll model – The Black community
Ironic that you don’t realize that Malcolm went to prison too, lol.
you are right, all black people are criminals
Only a moron would believe that Pac is our most cherished figure. Ida B Wells, X, Garvey, King, Angela Davis > than rapper that jumped dude in casino
*greater
Pac did more than Malcolm. At the age of 25 Malcolm x was still messing with them girls and being a pimp.
Drake is not on PACs level ,is drake even drakes real name ? Could drake write a song in fifteen minutes ?PAC was a warrior IMHO you’re just mad cause you missed out
Yep 2pac`s work ethic was amazing. He could write a hit song in 5 minutes.
2pac definitely is one of the all time greats. His work ethic and passion for music was incredible. He probably made over 750 songs in just 5 years and the crazy part is tha their all good. He could write a song in 5 minutes and it would be a hit. 2pac touched on every aspect of life and was always real. His music is timeless not to disrespect Michael Jackson but 2pac has always been talked about since his death u always hear his name being mentioned. U would think that would be the case for Mj but 2pac has always been remembered because he made timeless music.