The late TupacShakur has made the cut for TheVatican's Playlist.
Tupac's song "Changes" is one of 9 entries on the MySpace page for PopeBenedict XVI's album "Alma Mater: Music From The Vatican."
He joins the ranks of offerings from Nour Eddine, Mozart,Muse and Fleet Foxes.
"This playlist is a perfect mix of classical, world andcontemporary music," reads the description on the playlist page. "The genresare very different from each other, but all these artists share the aim toreach the heart of good minded people."
"Changes," a plea for the end of racial injustice andself-improvement, originally appeared in 1998 on his posthumous "Greatest Hits"album.
Father Giulio Neroni, artistic director of church publisher St. Paul's Multimedia,helmed the list, CNN reports. He also compiled the songs for the Pope BenedictXVI's featured Alma Mater album.
Some might question the Vatican's use of a song from such acontroversial artist. The jailed rapper ultimately succumbed to violence whenhe was fatally shot in Las Vegasin 1996.
However, I'm glad that Neroni looked beyond Tupac's troublesto recognize that he also made positive contributions to pop culture.
Tupac countered his dramas with songs with powerful,uplifting messages. "Brenda's Got A Baby" addressed teen pregnancy. "Keep YaHead Up" encouraged young girls. "Dear Mama" paid tribute to his mother.
There are also several other hip-hop artists with strongsocial messages who would have been great for the list. But Tupac is a goodchoice, a solid, honest representation of the art form.
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Take A Look At Tupac's Photo Gallery
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