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RWD Magazine
NEWS : Tupac Comes To The UK
Written by Jerry Gadiano on 16 Feb 2010
When Tupac Shakur was tragically killed in 1996, not only did he leave behind a legacy of music, he
also left behind a message of power, bettering yourself and freedom. Actor, writer and playwright
Meshaun Labrone is bringing his one man show The right to remain… Tupac Shakur to the UK from
Miami to continue this message and remember the legend that was Tupac. Interview by Jerry Gadiano…
Why did you choose to do a play based on the ideas and theories of Tupac?
While attending Florida International University as a theatre major, one of our last assignments was to
write a one man show based on a public figure we felt we could relate to. Pac immediately came to mind. I
myself am a rapper and his thoughts and ideas of freedom and equality and the importance of knowledge
were my ideas as well. So in a way it felt like I would be playing myself.
You both write and star in the play, how long did it take you write it up?
When this assignment was brought to my attention during the last few weeks before the performance, I
was in a main stage show and taking finals for other classes and completely swamped. I had no time to get
this script together, but in the midst of all of the chaos, I managed to write and perform the script in two
weeks.
Do feel that this play gives us a good insight into the deceased rapper?
I think that the play not only gives us a good insight of Tupac but any people who feel like their backs are
against the wall. Those who really feel like it is them against the world. We see a man no different than
any of us. A man with fears, hopes, dreams, love, faults, guilt, pain, and a sense of humour. In other
words, we will see Tupac not the rapper but the human being.
What interested you about Tupac’s persona?
His persona, was not only his but ours. All my partners that lived in my neighbourhood, that was
knowledgeable about ourselves and the system that completely ignored us. That big mouth, loud brash,
flamboyant, untouchable character that was presented across the TV screens and records, was us, on the
street. He truly represented us. Tupac was our spokesperson. THUG LIFE (THE HATE U GAVE LITTLE INFANTS
F*CKS EVERYBODY) was right on the money for us. That truly was the new “Black Power”. I felt the
frustration as a young black man growing up in the city. Getting stopped by police for no reason. Police
brutality where citizens were seriously injured or even killed. He brought a persona of “since they don’t
care about us we don’t care about them”. Only problem is that not caring spilled over all over us and did
more damage to our own communities than anyone else.
Do you feel that he was a very misunderstood individual while he was still alive?
He was completely misunderstood. The media is a powerful thing. Anytime, a black man or any man for
that matter presents himself negatively, the media will swarm and blow it completely out of proportion. If
that same man does something positive or completely changes from his “wicked ways” the media wants
nothing to do with that. Good doesn’t sale! And if they have picked for you to play a bad guy, that will be
your role from then on out. The world didn’t know that Tupac was a bit of a Shakespearean scholar, who
could have given Stanley Wells a run for his money. They don’t know that he could quote writers like
Melville, Nikki Giovanni or Shakespeare. The world didn’t know that he loved Mozart or any kind of
musically expression that spoke to the soul. The world didn’t know that this man would go to elementary
schools to talk to young students or be invited to speak at conferences that dealt with the problems in poor
communities. No, the media doesn’t want to show that. They want to show the MAD NIGGER. The thug
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nigger. See, that’s what sells. That’s what the people want. They want the grimy nigger that talks about
killing and pimping hos. I believe the media has a lot to do with the spreading of violence and racism in the
U.S. I really do because you don’t have another point of reference. You see it on TV, the movies. You hear
it on the CDs. You can’t escape it. So as a young black male you believe this IS how I’m suppose to act. As a
white person you say, ‘This IS how you all are”. Tupac’s death is an example to us all that misunderstanding
between us will become the death of us.
How did you react to the rappers violent death?
I was on a college campus when a friend came to me and told me that Pac had died. I have to tell you I was
not moved. I just said, ‘OK’. I was not surprised. I knew they were going to get him sooner or later. It’s
that way for any revolutionary. Didn’t they kill Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Bobby Kennedy, JFK, and
members of the Black Panther Party? Death to anyone who tries to speak out against injustices that are
being unleashed upon the people is part of the American way. I wonder what Thomas Payne would have to
say about this?
Is it fair to say that his popularity rose due to his death?
Isn’t that always the case? We don’t appreciate them when they are here but once they are gone, we are
all over them. Yes, his message and he is being studied very carefully now and the masses are realizing that
this was not just some angry little black man. But someone that, if he would have lived, could have
possibly been in President Obama’s administration. I really do believe that.
How have your audiences reacted to the play back in the States?
Ironically, most of my audiences have been white and they love it. Though there was one case where
gentlemen wanted to beat me up for putting on a play about this “idiot rapper”. But most people are not
only entertained but they come out learning so much more about him but about we that make up the
human family.
You address the issues of race, gender and other social issues in your play, do feel it’s still alive today
as it was in ‘Pac’s time?
Oh yes. Racism will not go away until the idea of white supremacy dies. I heard a wise man say, ‘White
supremacy has to die in order for humanity to live.’ This is a true statement. White supremacy brings about
isolation and a false sense of superiority in whites and isolation and a false sense of inferiority in blacks.
We both are on either side of the candle burning at both ends within the fire of loneliness and resentment
towards each other. And for what? Nobody knows. I still see race problems in the U.S, you still see racists
remarks being made by Americans, like Pat Robertson saying that the Haitians brought the earthquakes on
themselves because they sold their souls to the devil and Rush Limbaugh saying that President Obama’s
trying to get in good with dark and light skin black Americans. As long as we have ignorance like this,
racism will remain alive and well in the U.S.
Why do you think a lot of people are drawn to his aura?
Tupac represents the best in us. He is all of us, whether we are black or white. He represents that the man
or woman who is told, ‘You are not good enough. You can’t do it.’ And despite the obstacles we encounter,
we make it. Isn’t that so human? I know you can relate to that, cant you?
How do you feel about bringing this play to the UK?
As an artist, it has always been my dream to break into the UK market. I want to thank The Point Eastleigh
Theatre for having me and to Gregory Nash for putting it in motion. To perform in front of the British
audience is more than a privilege. I’m so thankful. I love you guys. I mean the UK is where my favourite
artists are from. Actors like Mark Rylance, Scot Handy, Simon Trinder, Mark A. Brighton, Rory Kinnear, Eve
Myles; she is so hot! Rappers like Soweto and the greatest band on the planet Oasis. Come on Noel and
Liam get it together and do like the Beatles and COME TOGETHER!
What previous acting have you done prior to this?
Oh tons, I’ve been in plays and films. I just completed a film with Wood Harris called, Just Another Day.
And I was in an episode of Burn Notice, shot on location here in Miami with Method Man. I got my eyes on
Trafalgar Square studios. I want to take this show there.
When did acting and theatre work become something you wanted to do?
I began acting when I was nine years old. I was in a play where the kid loves to eat turkey. I ran on the
stage flapping my arms like a turkey and said, ‘I love thanksgiving’! The audience erupted in laughter and
the rest as they say is history.
What other productions do you have in the pipelines?
I have a new script I’ve just finished called An American Opinion and it’s about these college age suicide
bombers on committing these horrible crimes on American soil.
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What’s your favourite Tupac song?
Don’t have one. My favourite message of his? FREEDOM.
The right to remain… Tupac Shakur takes place at The Point, Eastleigh on Thursday 25 February, tickets for
the 16+ event are £8 and are available from here.
Tags: 2Pac, Hip Hop, Tupac Shakur
One Response to “Tupac Comes To The UK”
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist says:
16 Feb 2010 at 9:18 pm
This is one show I would love to see if it ever came to my city. Great interview.
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