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The Rose That Grew from Concrete

4.28 of 5 stars 4.28 · rating details · 2,071 ratings · 255 reviews

This collection of more than 100 poems that honestly and artfully confront topics ranging from poverty and motherhood to Van Gogh and Mandela is presented in Tupac Shakur's own handwriting on one side of the page, with a typed version on the opposite side.

Hardcover, 176 pages

Published November 1st 1999 by MTV Books

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The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur

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Aug 31, 2009 Abraham Lateiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Tupac's story is incredibly fascinating. Although he's popularly portrayed as a cold-hearted gangbanger, those who dig deeper will find that he was an incredibly complex, soulful person with a deep sensitivity that the mainstream media misses.

This book of his original poetry, written when he was 19 on scraps of notepaper, really surprised me by giving a glimpse into that sensitive side. While some of the poetry is trite, there are a number of poems that border on profound, expressing Tupac's de...more

12 likes · like · see review

Jan 20, 2009 Eva Leger rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: big Tupac fans

Recommended to Eva by: heard about it myself years ago

Shelves: b-non-fiction, poetry-or-verse, celebs

I'm glad I finally took the time out to read this. It was awesome seeing Tupac's words in his own writing for me. I agree with most of the others who have reviewed the book on the poems, they really aren't much to get excited about but I don't think the poems themselves were what was/is supposed to be concentrated on. I think his words in general, his feelings, moods and beliefs, etc. were and are what should be looked at.
I got a kick out of all the poems that were dedicated to a different chic...more

7 likes · like · see review

May 22, 2013 Miroku Nemeth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have a lot of love and a lot of respect for Tupac, and out of honesty to this claim, I have to be honest about this book. Very few of these works are fully developed as he wrote most of them when he was eighteen or nineteen, and I think they can only be appreciated, for the most part, by seeing them in this context. The introductory writings by his mother and Nikki Giovanni are very good, but I would warn against approaching this collection as the work of a mature and fully developed artist. I...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2013 Mikayel Galstyan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I chose this book because I love Tupac Shakur's music and wanted to read some of his poems. This book captures some of his passion and his appreciation for poems and rhythms. This book completely changed my view point on Tupac Shakur.. Tupac wasn't an "old town gangster" trying to cause trouble. He was just a rapper going through some really hard times and he felt poetry would be a great way to express his feelings. He used many symbols to express words in his poems. My favorite part of this boo...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Sophia Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-like-a-writer

This is a collection of poems written by a rapper I have always loved. He writes about various personal events (Tears of a Teenage Mother, In the Event of My Demise, When Ure Heart Turns Cold, Wake Me When I'm Free, etc.). Throughout this book Tupac not only writes poems but illustrates most of them as well. "Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete/ Proving nature's laws wrong it learned to walk without having feet." wrote Tupac. He shows that in poetry, punctuation is...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Shahe rated it 5 of 5 stars

I chose this book because I like the music of Tupac Shakur. The Rose That Grew From Concrete is a powerful collection of poetry written by Tupac ("2Pac") Shakur, the glamorous but controversial hip hop artist who was mysteriously murdered at the age of 25. Tupac Shakur appreciated the sound of words, the rhythm of words, and the powerful affect they could have on people. This book of poetry captures Shakur’s passion and his anger in a complex style. On the right side of the page is the typed ver...more I chose this book because I like the music of Tupac Shakur. The Rose That Grew From Concrete is a powerful collection of poetry written by Tupac ("2Pac") Shakur, the glamorous but controversial hip hop artist who was mysteriously murdered at the age of 25. Tupac Shakur appreciated the sound of words, the rhythm of words, and the powerful affect they could have on people. This book of poetry captures Shakur’s passion and his anger in a complex style. On the right side of the page is the typed version of each poem. On the left side is a copy of the poem written in Shakur’s own handwriting where he would often draw an eye for “I” or used symbols to replace words like peace and love. My favorite quote in this book is actually a poem that I feel has a very strong say in Shakur's life. The poem is called "Only 4 the Rightous"
I'm Down with strictly dope "So"
That means I'm more than u can handle
"Hot" Im hotter than the wax from a candle
"Him" that's Roc he's my microphone companion
"Lyrics" full of knowledge truth and understanding
"Hobbies" rapping is my only recreation
"retire" u must be on some kind of medication
"why" because I'll never loosen up my mic grip
"Drugs" never cuz I'm living on the right tip
"sex" only with my girl because I love her
"Babies" impossible I always use a rubber
"Bored" rarely cuz I'm keeping myself busy
"Scratch" nah I leave the cutting up 2 Dize
"Dize?" yeh that's my D.J. he's the greatest
"Word" nah he's paying me 2 say this
"the mind" is something that I cultivate
and treasure
"Thanks" you're welcome and besides it was my pleasure".
I really like this poem that Shakur wrote because he talks about his life and how he loves rapping and doesnt want to retire anytime soon. Another reason why I really like this poem tremendously is because he talks about how he doesn't do drugs and he would never cheat on his girlfriend. Hands down i would recommend this book to anyone who does not know about Tupac they really should read his poems and really see how Shakur expresses his feelings.(less)

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Nov 19, 2012 Nida Iftekaruddin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Grade/interest level: 6-8
Reading level: NA
Genre: Poetry

Main Characters: Tupac Shakur
Setting: Urban cities
POV: First person, Tupac

Summary:

This book contains a compilation of poems by the late Tupac Shakur. The topics of these poems range from family life, social and political problems, inner struggles, friendships, romances, and many more. The book contains a copy of Tupac’s original poem in his own handwriting, then a typed up version right next to it. His poetry, much like his music, delves de...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Dave Keays rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion

This started me on a journey through his music. Get past the language in some of his songs and the fact that he was an angry young man whose anger was taken advantage of by record labels (Suge Knights and Death Row Records) and you'll see why he is
on the Vatican's official MySpace playlist and the pope is apparently a fan of his.

I read a blog by a cardinal that I can't find- basically said 2pac asked questions (God- can you hear me speak?) that need to be asked.

Ever since then I've been a fan...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I bought this book at Barnes and Nobles and it what a bit pricey for a book of poetry but let me tell you....it was definitely worth it.

For starters if you love to read poetry, then this is actually a really good book because it has such deep, and powerful meaning.
If you like writing poetry, this book will make you want to write poetry like him (as in to have real meaning to your poetry).
But aside from that, you guys should definitely read this book because although Tupac may be a "thug" this gu...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 14, 2010 Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A book I recently read was The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Amaru Shakur. At First i thought it would be a book full of Tupacs raps,but when I started reading I realized that this book was full of rhymes, but it wasn't raps it was poetry which is one thing about this book that interested me.A lot of people probably think this book would be about the thug life most of his raps are about, but instead it is about all of his thoughts and emotions/feelings about the people he's loved,people...more

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Dec 06, 2009 Carlos Balderrama rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book in my opinion is one or the best I have ever read. I think that I like this book for many personally reason, but also because the poems in this book are very powerful. Also that there is at least one poem in this book that one person can relate to, no matter who you are. The author Tupac Shakur in my opinion one of the best rappers ever. But this book shows that he was more then that; he was also a great poet. In this book it shows some of his early works. Even though I already knew a...more This book in my opinion is one or the best I have ever read. I think that I like this book for many personally reason, but also because the poems in this book are very powerful. Also that there is at least one poem in this book that one person can relate to, no matter who you are. The author Tupac Shakur in my opinion one of the best rappers ever. But this book shows that he was more then that; he was also a great poet. In this book it shows some of his early works. Even though I already knew a lot of his music and about him this book taught me new things about him and his music.
This book isn’t a story, but depending on the reader it can be taken as one. To me I felt as if it was a story. I feel this way because on this book it shows some of the poems that Tupac wrote. In these poems you could clearly see the emotions that the poem is trying to portray and the emotions the author had. I think you can clearly see this because of the writing tools he used. In the poem “I Cry” he states “The tears I cry are bitter and warm.They flow with life but take no form…” In this section the author uses the tears as a metaphor that he compares to life.
Also, in this book Tupac wrote about his life. For example, in the poem “Ambition over Adversity”
“Take one's adversity,
Learn from their misfortune,
Learn from their pain,
Believe in something,
Believe in yourself,
Turn adversity into ambition,
Now blossom into wealth.”
A lot of his poems like this come from his life and the dreams he had. This poem is about his dream because these poems were written before he was 19. In this poem it shows that he always had the ambition to get out of the streets and become wealthy, which he did. I think because he wrote about his personal life it just made this book even better.
I also feel that this book is so great not just because its short and only has poems. But also because in these short poems there was so much emotion and power. While in a book authors sometimes have pages and pages to describe or portray just one of these poems. I think that’s why I like this book so much. In the poem “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”
“Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it
learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping it's dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.”
This poem is pretty much the whole autobiography. Now for any other author or even poet it would take pages and pages to tell their story. So I really enjoyed reading this book. I recommend it to anyone, Tupac fan or not.

(less)

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Nov 19, 2009 Vanessa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Vanessa by: Julio

"The Rose That Grew From Concrete" is a really inspiring book to me. I personally think that Tupac was a great writer and rapper. Just a great human being all around, that had a pretty rough life. Like it says in” If I Fail","There was never a life as hard as mine. No father-no money-no chance and no guide." Although I don't know much of his history by logic and I don't really hear a lot of his rap, I thought I would give this book a chance.

I have a classmate that all he hears is pretty much Tu...more "The Rose That Grew From Concrete" is a really inspiring book to me. I personally think that Tupac was a great writer and rapper. Just a great human being all around, that had a pretty rough life. Like it says in” If I Fail","There was never a life as hard as mine. No father-no money-no chance and no guide." Although I don't know much of his history by logic and I don't really hear a lot of his rap, I thought I would give this book a chance.

I have a classmate that all he hears is pretty much Tupac, and he always wants me to be listening. I wasn't ever interested till my other friend showed me this book. At first I thought to give it a chance just see what was all the "listen to this", and "listen to that", about. And well of course, the cover is awesome, it brought my attention right away.

This book isn't really a story, but it depends how you look at it. It's mostly like poems and lyrics to his songs, but they are based on his life. For example the poem "Under he Skies" says "My child is out there somewhere under the skies above", he's talking about his daughter. Most of these poems got to my heart. They explain so much feeling and love out to the reader. My favorite poem out of all was "And Still I Love U". This poem just brought so much feeling into me, it was sad but really romantic. "Even if u changed your mind and said our love was thru I'd want 2 die continuously cry and still I'd love u", that quote just hit me. But, even if this book made me sad at times, I got to admit it is one of my favorite books. Not because you don't need allot of logic to read it or because its not a 500 page book, but because of what it made me feel.

He's writing style is not really professional. It more like slang, but it's understandable. I think the reason the book was published like this is because it was never meant to be published. It was just he's own poems and lyrics to keep to him self. But, after he's death it was important for people to recognize what he was about, and I’m glad I got that opportunity.

Honestly, I really liked this book, I thought it was pretty amazing. I think that he's writing is really heartwarming and wonderful. I am actually more into his music now, I actually listen to the lyrics rather than just the beat. I think this book is much like other love & life poetry books, but different at the same time. Just because the fact that is Tupac, I think that's what makes this book have many more hits.

I really encourage you to read this book. It will show you the kind of person that Tupac really was. Always remember "Don't judge a book by its cover."
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Jan 31, 2013 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have much fondness for the poem 'The Rose that grew from concrete'.
With the rose symbolizing Tupac and the concrete symbolizing the impoverished area he grew up in, the poem and title sets you up to understand the rest of what you're going to read. He can go from expressing his love for a girl, to talking about the harsh realities of his neighborhood. You can be certain that throughout, you will understand how he felt, saw things and dealt with situations during that time.

Most of all, I reall...more

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Dec 03, 2010 TIKA rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is about Tupac's life. It starts off with poems and the first one talking about the rose that grew from concrete which he said thats deep because you dont see nothing growing from the concrete. There's poems about his life and what he belives in like the rights for blacks. Like theres a chapter where he says he believes Lady Liberty and STatue of Liberty needs glasses. Did you know he was a Black Pantha?
I like this book because I look up too Tupac. No I dont look up too him because o...more

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May 26, 2010 Al_norahughes rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've always loved Tupak and even more have respected him. This book of poems written over some years of his life are a window into this young man's deepest feelings. Mirrored by much of his music the words are lyrical and raw. Hip hop and rap used to be pivotal in the civil rights movement- many older generation hip hiop stars were born of the movement- Tupak's mother was a black panther. Tupak was a disciplined and educated man. This comes across in his poetry as in his music. In my opinion Tup...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Ken Moten rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: poetry-stuff

I was very impressed with the poems in this book. I am still a bigger fan of his music but I would recommend this book to contemporary poetry lovers. If given the choice I between this book and his greatest hits CD...I'm gonna choose the CD but I will still refer to this book every once in a while or when the opportunity warrants it. So simply put great lyrics by a great lyricist. (I'll still go with Langston Hughes, T.S. Elliot, or Rumi for poetry if I have to name my favorites).

I won't leave...more

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Feb 03, 2010 Christopher rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book "The Rose Rhar Grew From Concrete" was a very capturing book, becuase of the poetry and the meaning behind them. In like this book becuase his poetry relates to the world. I also like this book becuase he speaks the truth and dosne't try to hide it. I felt that Tupac was going through alot when he wrote this book becuase it showed that he and his freinds was feeling and going through alot of pain. The genre of this book is poetry becuase I know that the meaning of poetry is the art of r...more

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Nov 09, 2008 Ernie.pichardo rated it 4 of 5 stars

"The Rose that Grew From Concrete" by Tupac Shakur is a great book. This book is about a rapper that died in the late 1990's and its about his emotions during life. Tupac inspired me to write poems and to let out my emotions. I recommend this book to anyone who likes poetry.

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Jun 05, 2011 Monica! rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: this-must-be-what-pain-feels-like, poet-didnt-know-it

I wasn't blown away by this book -- the snooty English Major that lurks deep within my soul can only put up with so many misspellings and grammatical inconsistencies before my brain starts twitching uncomfortably -- but I loved the layout of the thing. It wasn't just the gorgeous picture gracing the front cover... there was something vaguely heart-wrenching about seeing his actual poems, in his own handwriting, misspellings, cross-outs and all.

(Also, I'm not going to lie. I loved the bizarre con...more

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Feb 11, 2010 Epaka rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an unbelievably amazing side of a person everyone thought they knew. If this book had been published under a different name, I think many readers would be impressed by the talent and depth of Tupac's poetry.

When your hero falls from grace
All fairy tales are uncovered
Myths exposed and pain magnified
The greatest pain discovered
You taught me to be strong
But I'm confused to see you so weak
You said never to give up
And it hurts to see you welcome defeat
When your hero falls, so do the stars
And

...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Susie rated it 4 of 5 stars

In gathering resources for our students to use for poetry month and "Poem in Your Pocket Day" April 26, I purchased yet two more copies of this book. (We'll see how long they last this time.) This is the first time I actually read the book. It is very inviting in the way it shows the handwritten poems on the left, and the typical type on the write. My main two impressions: 1) Tupac was very intelligent, and had a wonderful way with words. The poems have a nice, natural flow 2)It appears like a l...more

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Nov 13, 2007 Le'jayah rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE

THIS BOOK IS THE BOMBIZZLE

YADA_DA_DAMEAN...haha

no really,

read this book

AWESOME!

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Aug 31, 2012 Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tupac's journal was an inspirational masterpiece. It showed true genius. Though without having a plot twist, this book did tell a story. You got to understand what went on through the mind of Tupac. He pours all of his emotions out. After reading this book, no matter who you are, you should find it hard to find reasons to dislike this man. I never knew a thing about him, other than the fact he used to be a great musician, but now I feel like I know and understand his troubles that he went throug...more

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Dec 03, 2010 Dashawn added it

This book is about basically tupacs lifestle. this book has alot of poems that he wrote. most of the poems that he made were eventually used in alot of his songs. the book is also about his background that alot of people did not know about. there are alot of different tupac books but this one focuses on how he was a like a teenager growning up.
i like this book because i like books that have to do with real life things and real life situations. i picked this book because i saw it and figured i...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Jeremiah Simmons is currently reading it

I read unfaithful a chapter from the book i am reading The Rose That Grew From The Concreate by: Tupac Shakar and i really think it's true up to the word and true because like we don't have anything nothing to lie about well men. like we do listen to are heart somtimes but it takes us to the wrong place in mind it will lead us to breaking up with her our some other the things like hanging up stuff like that. Like for me in this book i really think about this i think if you read this book it will...more

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Sep 08, 2010 Shirley :] rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Rose That grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur is a book of collection of poems that show the struggles in life, his inspirations, his emotions toward loved ones and his yearn for equality in life. Each poem gives off a different emotion from what he wants you to feel and each poem creates different meanings. Most of his poems come from his inspiration of the things he has been through in his life. He was seeking to become something in a time where color meant everything. He had no support al...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Rose That Grew From Concrete is a collection of poems written by Tupac Shakur. The poems are mostly about love, as well as other things in his life such as his family. I enjoyed reading this book because the poems are very interesting. Some of the poems are more complex, and are more appropriate for adults, but overall, they were beautiful. A lot of people think of Tupac as just a rapper, but after reading this book, I have learned that he was a very sensitive, intelligent man, and an amazin...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Christian roxas rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book The Rose That Grew from Concrete is a really different kind of book. It is by Tupac Shakur who was a very successful rapper back then. He wrote this poem book which is actually really nice. It is written in first person view and I think the way the author wrote his words is different but good. For example, he uses a "2" instead of "to" and "c" instead of "see". I never read a poem book before and I think this book is one of the best poem books out there. I recommend this book to all rea...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Michael Stockinger rated it 2 of 5 stars

Eh. These poems were written when Tupac was 18, so they remind me of that awkward phase in which you're not quite an adult, but you're not quite a kid. You end up taking yourself way too seriously. Like that phase, these poems are awkward, and as one reviewer put it, embarrassing. One funny point in this collection is when Tupac writes a poem to one girl saying that he cannot live without her, she means the world to him, she completes him, he's been waiting his whole life for her, and he would d...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Mariam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-private-library, poetry, my-flesh-my-blood, young-adult

Tupac Shakur.

Tupac Shakur.

Tupac Shakur. I've resurrected you a gazillion times in my mind, but I realize that you're truly gone. gone. gone.

"How did you know through your rhymes it was your time to go? You predicted it in every line, all in your flow" - Nas

In the event of my Demise
when my heart can beat no more
I Hope I Die For A Principle
or A Belief that I had Lived 4
I will die Before My Time
Because I feel the shadow's Depth
so much I wanted 2 accomplish
before I reached my Death
I have come...more

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About Tupac Shakur

Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. In addition to his status as a top-selling recording artist, Shakur was a successful film actor and a prominent social activist. He is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest-selling rap artist, with over 75,000,000 albums sold worldwide, including over 50,000,000 in the United Stat...more

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“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature's laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping it's dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.” — 599 people liked it

“we wouldn't ask why a rose that grew from the concrete for having damaged petals, in turn, we would all celebrate its tenacity, we would all love its will to reach the sun, well, we are the roses, this is the concrete and these are my damaged petals, dont ask me why, thank god, and ask me how” — 139 people liked it

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