Many people were touched by the death of the man who effectively changed rock history. But what is the reason behind leaving a two year old child behind? Was it the stress involved in constant live performances, wanting to be preserved at the top, or was he forced to do it? There are many different theories about Kurt Cobain’s death. But why is it that the fans were so mournful when he died? Why be so sad when someone we never even knew died?
Tupac
In much the same fashion that Kurt Cobain defined the alternative rock music scene, Tupac Shakur defined the hip-hop scene, as we know it today. What made Tupac so special was his enormous talent, his on-screen friendly looks, and the sense that he was 'real' and talked the talk, while walking the walk. Since his death, there's been a flood of speculation on who and why, and even if, but unfortunately still no concrete answers exist for any of these questions.
September 13, 1996 Tupac sat alongside his friend and producer, when a car slowly pulled beside them and one person opened fire. Tupac took four bullets and was knocked unconscious and his producer escaped with minor injuries. After a week Tupac Shakur was pronounced dead.
It is seen as ironic, the rapper whose raw lyrics seemed a blueprint of his own violent life. There are many different theories about the murder of a legendary lyricist. Was it the producer of Death Row, was it his rival (Biggie smalls) gang members, or is he dead?
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dani Haughton was the young teenage artist every young girl wanted to be. She had three well-established albums in America at the age of 22. Just as she began to establish a name here in the UK her promising career was tragically cut short.
I took an excerpt written by a fan, from a newspaper
“Classy, humble, trendsetter, breath-takingly beautiful, talented, and being unique are just a few of the reasons why we fans admire her. She left behind a legacy for young people to work hard for their dreams and to never compromise themselves while doing so. She taught generations how to be strong in the face of adversity and gave us life lessons through the way she lived. In our hearts, we will never forget.”
The singer, and seven friends died after a plane crash on August 25 2001 in the Bahamas. The pilot of the plane was rumoured to have had cocaine and alcohol in his blood at time of flight. But as the other two cases there are many theories surrounding the circumstances of Aaliyah’s death.
Lisa – left eye- lopes
And finally the death of Lisa Lopes shocked the world in 2002. Lisa was part of the group TLC. TLC broke into the charts in 1992 making a voice for the ladies. When the charts where constantly clustered with the male point of view TLC provided a break in the system and spoke for women in their lyrics.
Lisa died in a head on collision with another car in Spain. She was just thirty years old. She was known for her sometimes-impulsive behaviour. E.g. A violent boyfriend of 3 years took things to far and stabbed Lisa and assaulted her to near death. But Lisa bounced back and then set fire to her ex’s house! This may seem extreme but by doing this she earned the respect of many.
Here are a few lyrics written by Lisa:
“The 22nd of loneliness and we've
Been through so many things
I love my man with all honesty
But I know he's cheating on me
I look him in his eyes but all he
Tells me is lies to keep me near”
These lyrics spoke to many women and when she was lost so was the opinion of many women around the world.
So why is it that at the news of the sudden death of an icon we feel like we have lost something, when we didn’t even know them? Is it because we, at an impressionable age, have been touched by the lyrics and works of these four artists? Is it that we have seen them so often that they feel like part of our lives whether on television, the radio, on a cd, or on a poster on your bedroom wall. Is it the tragedy of these young deaths, which upset the public so? Or is it the fact we lost a voice to represent us?
