YOU WANT TO WEAR YOUR BANDANA LIKE TUPAC SHAKUR
Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2pac, may no longer be alive today, but he is still widely recognized and regarded by many as the greatest rapper of all time. He was a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene of the 1990s, during which rap music experienced unprecedented growth.
While Gangsta Rap was the dominant style of rap music at the time, characterized by themes of wealth, women, and drug use, Shakur infused his songs with more profound social issues.
Apart from being a talented rapper, he was also an actor, an activist, a leader, and a trendsetter in his time. He was frequently seen wearing bandannas, which he fashioned in his unique style.
In this article, we will pay tribute to this legendary rapper and provide a detailed guide on how to wear a bandanna like he did. By following these steps, you will undoubtedly achieve a distinctive and unforgettable look.
MORE THAN JUST A RAPPER : TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
He was a central figure on the Los Angeles and Death Row Records side of the legendary East Coast-West Coast rivalry in the United States. The label, founded by Suge Knight and Dr Dre, featured him prominently. He also popularized the image of a bad boy with tattoos all over his body, which became a global trend. As part of his West Coast style, he often wore various accessories, with the bandanna being the main one.
In addition, he was known for his nose piercings and other jewelry, such as large chains, which epitomized the rebellious and cool style of that time. His looks and music titles remain popular today, demonstrating that he was far ahead of his time in both hip-hop and fashion.
Tupac's popularity was not only due to his unique style, but also his immense talent as a rapper, having sold over 75 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists in history. Remarkably, he achieved this with just five studio albums.
Given his success and iconic image, Tupac became an idol to many. Fans sought to emulate his style, particularly his famous bandana.
HOW TO WEAR YOUR BANDANA LIKE TUPAC SHAKUR
To start off, it's important to note that Tupac Amaru Shakur was a huge fan of bandannas. He would often wear them in various colors and styles to match different days and occasions.
The rapper had three main ways of wearing his bandana on his head :
- Inverted as a bandana headband
- With a knot on the forehead
- Tied over the entire head, covering the hairline
Without further ado, let's take a closer look at each of these styles, so you can easily recreate them in just a few minutes.
TUPAC SHAKUR DIFFERENT BANDANA STYLES
TIED LIKE AN INVERTED BANDANA HEADBAND (TUPAC BANDANA STYLE)
This is the most iconic and recognizable way of wearing a bandanna, in the style of Tupac. He was frequently spotted wearing it in this way, and it was his favorite style.
To achieve this look, it's quite easy:
- Lay the bandana flat
- Roll it up until you get a headband of the desired width
- Take both ends of the bandana in each hand
- Position it at the back of your head
- Tie both ends in a simple knot at your forehead
If you prefer, you can also tie a double knot, but Tupac usually opted for a single knot.
It's worth mentioning that Tupac was also a fan of bulletproof vests, which became his signature in the 90s. Interestingly, on the night he was killed, he reportedly refused to wear his vest because it was "too hot".
TIED ON THE HEAD IN REVERSE (MAKAVELI BANDANA STYLE)
This method was the second most popular way for Tupac to wear a bandanna. It allowed him to cover his entire head while still keeping his iconic knot on his forehead for style, which had become his signature look.
To achieve this style :
- Lay your bandanna flat
- Fold the bandana diagonally to create a triangle
- Hold both ends of the folded bandana
- Position the bandana on your head so that it covers your head, with the tip falling on your forehead
- Bring both ends of the bandana to the front of your head
- Tie both ends over the tip that falls on your forehead with a simple knot
- You can leave the tip hanging or tuck it under the bandana, depending on your preference
Tupac often showcased his "Thug Life" side, which he believed stood for "The Hate U (You) Gave Little Infants Fucks Everybody." This phrase was popularized by 2Pac.
TIED TO COVER THE WHOLE HEAD (90’S BANDANA STYLE)
This method, while not as frequently worn by Tupac as the others, is still quite fashionable and popular.
To achieve this style, you will need to follow the same steps as before, but tying the bandana at the back of your head at the end.
The steps are as follows :
- Lay the bandanna flat and fold it in half to form a triangle shape.
- Grasp both ends and place the longer side on your forehead.
- Cover your entire head with the bandanna, including the tip that hangs over the back of your head.
- Bring both ends back to the nape of your neck.
- Tie them with a single or double knot
And there you have it - simple yet effective - a true gangster style like Tupac Shakur (2pac).
THE DEATH OF THE LEGEND TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
In 1996, the famous American rapper Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas, USA. The incident occurred on September 7, 1996, shortly after Shakur and some friends had been involved in a physical altercation with Orlando Anderson, a member of a rival gang in Los Angeles, following a boxing match featuring Mike Tyson.
Later that night, Shakur was riding in a car with Knight when they were stopped at a traffic light. A white Cadillac pulled up alongside them and opened fire, hitting the rapper four times. Despite receiving medical treatment, Shakur succumbed to his injuries and passed away six days later.
IS TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR STILL ALIVE ?
The Las Vegas Police Department quickly closed their investigations into the case, citing a lack of witnesses. This led to the emergence of numerous conspiracy theories by fans, implicating everyone from B.I.G. to the FBI or even the CIA.
Orlando Anderson, who was considered a prime suspect, died in a gang shooting shortly after the incident. The East Coast-West Coast rap feud also came to an end when the notorious B.I.G. was shot in Los Angeles.
Despite these events, many people continued to believe for a long time that there was a conspiracy and that the rapper was still alive. The latest "evidence" supporting this theory is a selfie contained in a YouTube video purportedly showing Tupac, or a man who strongly resembles him.
In 2012, Suge Knight, the former CEO of Death Row Records, added fuel to the conspiracy theory that Tupac was still alive by claiming that he never saw the rapper's body after his death, despite being present on the night of the shooting. Snoop Dogg also contributed to the mystery by saying in a radio interview that "Pac is somewhere else."
Although other photos claiming to show Tupac after his death surfaced, they were later revealed to be either doctored images or pictures of someone else entirely. Nevertheless, for some of his fans, the possibility that Tupac is still alive persists.
Regardless of whether he is alive or not, Tupac remains a rap legend and will forever be immortalized in the music world.
You are now equipped with all the information on how to rock a bandanna just like Tupac !
In case you're in search of a bandanna to complete your collection of this amazing fashion accessory, take a look at our wide range of bandanas for men.
Rest assured, you will find just what you need.
