Brow Beat

A Lost Interview With Tupac About Life, Death, Race, and John Wayne

Throughout his short life, Tupac Shakur was known for his candor in both his music and his interviews. The latest installment of PBS’ fun animated interview series Blank on Blank offers yet another glimpse into the rapper’s complex personality.

In this newly released 1994 interview with journalist Benjamin Svetkey, Shakur discusses the allegations of rape, his tense relationship with the press, and how he defines himself and his public image. “If I was white,” he says, “I would have been like John Wayne.”

In this newly released 1994 interview with journalist Benjamin Svetkey, Shakur discusses the allegations of rape, his tense relationship with the press, and how he defines himself and his public image. “If I was white,” he says, “I would have been like John Wayne.”