Music

Tupac's "Dear Mama" chosen for Library of Congress

by Ciaran Thompson

Ordinarily it would be somewhat strange to see material from Tupac and Bill Cosby lumped into the same category. The comedian has often been quite outspoken about his disdain for explicit language, even chastising fellow comedian Eddie Murphy during in his red leather suit days. However Cosby won’t be able to say much after his second comedy album entitled I Started Out As A Child and the Tupac song “Dear Mama” will be preserved by the library of congress. The two are among 25 being entered for their cultural significance.

Records by Patti Smith, REM, Willie Nelson and Little Richard are also being preserved. Every year 25 recordings are nominated by the public and a panel of experts and stored for future generations.

Tupac, who died back in 1996, is the third rap act to be preserved following Grandmaster Flash and Public Enemy. Organizers said “Dear Mama” was a homage to mothers struggling with addiction and poverty. [CBC]