More Portrait
This piece was created as a response to Tupac’s song “Hit ‘Em Up,” which struck me with the same force I felt the first time I heard NWA or Metallica. It was unlike anything I had experienced before—an unfiltered surge of anger, energy, and defiance that redefined the limits of what music could convey. The song’s raw delivery and unapologetic animosity left a lasting impression, and this work was my attempt to capture that feeling visually.
Looking back, I see this painting as a disservice to Tupac’s legacy. At the time, I lacked the maturity and clarity to fully translate what the song meant, both musically and culturally. Now, with distance and perspective, I recognize the need to revisit this subject and give it a second effort worthy of its influence. The work remains a marker of my early exploration with mixed media, but also a reminder that some inspirations demand deeper engagement.