Tupac's claims justified?

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

-- Anne Dudley Bradstreet

TUPAC'S CLAIMS MAY HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED

September 13, 1996 and March 9, 1997 -- two days hip-hop fans all over the world will forever remember. The former date is the day on which the hip-hop community lost Tupac Shakur at the age of 25; the latter is the day on which the Notorious B.I.G. lost his life at age 24. Their deaths occurred within six months of each other. Both were killed by unsolved fatal drive-by shootings. Many would argue that the countdown to Biggie's death began when Pac's life ex-pired. These were two men, who were at one time very close friends, and eventually became rival emcees, two men whose lives and deaths forever changed the course of hip-hop.

The story of Tupac and Biggie is well chronicled. Tupac Shakur, the rebellious outspoken emcee, was a celebrated film and music star when he met B.I.G. in the early 1990s. B.I.G. was the prized artist of an up-and-coming music executive by the name of Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. The two emcees hit it off immediately. Pac was said to have enjoyed assisting Biggie in making his way through the music industry. B.I.G. benefited tremendously from the invaluable lessons and advice the experienced Shakur passed on to him. Eerily enough, Pac proved to be a source of counsel for the new artist, leading up to the release of B.I.G.'s debut album "Ready to Die" on September 13, 1994 -- exactly two years before Tupac Shakur would eventually take his last breath.

With the release of "Ready to Die," Biggie became an instant superstar. He and Pac would remain close until November 30, 1994 when Tupac was shot five times in what was an apparent robbery in the lobby of a Manhattan recording studio. Pictures of a bloodied and ban-daged Tupac waving his middle finger to cameras became legendary, paving the way for the "East Coast vs. West Coast Rap War."

Although Combs and Biggie refuted claims they were involved, Pac would go on to vehemently accuse his former friend and associates of setting him up. After signing to Los Angeles-based Death Row Records in 1995, the "East Coast vs. West Coast" feud was in full swing.

Wednesday the Los Angeles Times posted an article on its Web site suggesting validity to Tu-pac's claims against B.I.G. and company. The article written by Chuck Phillips suggests November 1994 shooting was the result of another relationship-gone-bad between Tupac, Jimmy "Henchman" Roseman and Jacques "Haitian Jack" Agnant.

Names ring a bell? Well they should. Roseman is an infamous character who manages artists such as Game, Shyne, Gucci Mane, and others. He is also mentioned in Tupac's classic cut "Against All Odds." A "Haitian Jack" is referenced in the song as well ("I heard he was light skinned, stocky with a Haitian accent/Jewelry, fast cars and he's known for flashing/Listen while I take you back and lace this rap/A real live tale about a snitch named Haitian Jack…and did I mention/Promised a payback, Jimmy Henchman/ in due time I knew you [dastards] was listenin', The World Is Mine/Set me up, wet me up, [dudes] stuck me up/heard the guns bust/ but you tricks never shut me up.")

In a more interesting assertion, Phillips reported being told Combs and B.I.G. were both notified of the plans to rob the controversial star prior to the incident. At the time of the shooting, Roseman and Agnant were said to be associates of then upstart Bad Boy Records. Puffy, B.I.G., Roseman, and many others were all present in the studio at the time of the shooting.

Combs told Nobodysmiling.com, "It is a complete lie to suggest that there was any involve-ment by Biggie or myself. I am shocked that the Los Angeles Times would be so irresponsible as to publish such a baseless and completely untrue story."

Roseman also released a response to the allegations, saying "In the past 14 years, I have not even been questioned by law enforcement with regard to the assault of Tupac Shakur, let alone brought up on charges. Chuck Philips, the writer who in the past has falsely claimed that the Notorious Biggie Smalls was in Las Vegas when Tupac was murdered, and that Biggie supplied the gun that killed Tupac -- only to be proven wrong as Biggie was in New Jersey recuperating from a car accident -- has reached a new low by employing fourth-hand information from desper-ate jailhouse informants, along with ancient FBI reports to create this fabrication. I simply ask for all rap fans and fans of Tupac to analyze this fiction for what it is, along with Philips' mo-tives behind it. I am baffled as to why the L.A. Times would print this on its Web site, when a sim-ple and fair investigation would reveal that the allegations are false. I am currently consulting with my attorneys about my legal rights regarding this libelous piece of garbage."

Roseman brings up a good point about the credibility of Phillips. However, the credibility of Shakur seems to be rock solid. From the time of the shooting to his last day, Pac maintained that his robbery was not random. He steadfastly accused Biggie, Puff/Diddy, Roseman, and others of setting him up. Allegations such as these give even more credence to his account of events.

The article can be found at LATimes.com/Tupac. After reading it, you'll hear "Against All Odds" quite differently.

TRIVIA VERSE

Who shot ya?

Separate the weak from the ob-solete

Hard to creep them Brooklyn streets

It's on brotha, forget all that bickering beef

I can hear sweat trickling down your cheek

Your heartbeat sound like Sasquatch feet

Thundering, shaking the concrete

Finish it; stop, when I foil the plot

Neighbors call the cops said they heard mad shots-

Whose verse is it? The seventh person to e-mail the correct artist and song title will receive two free AMC movie tickets courtesy of the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger. Until next week, peace!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-400-8301 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.