*Searching for 2Pac*, Guangda Fabric Market (广大布匹市场)

Written by Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Jupiter Wang

Photos by PJ/@smilejerry01

Tang, a businessman in Guangzhou who has run a clothing shop for over 10 years, told me, “I always learn from my clients. They are close to their own market. It makes sense for me to understand their markets and trends through their orders.” “That one just got popular last year.” It was Tupac Shakur, one of the most famous and legendary Hip-Hop musicians in history. Ironically, the design also added a gunshot-broken-window effect on 2Pac’s chest, which was reminiscent of how he was murdered. “He is really popular in Africa! It’s him again, with a bandana tied up like that.”

I was not surprised that Tang did not know 2Pac. After all, the Hip-Hop legend had nothing to do with his daily life. Both born in the 1980s in China, Tang and I had very different 20s. I went to college in 2003 when the movie 8 Mile was just on, and 50 Cent released his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. I got to know the other big names, including 2Pac, while digging into the rich history of Hip-Hop music. Conversely, Tang dropped out of high school and joined the family business in Guangzhou.

I was amazed how such a legendary artist had been monetized for years by Chinese businesspeople while most beneficiaries had no idea who he was. This is the opposite story of Sixto Rodriguez, the protagonist of “Searching for Sugar Man”. While Rodriguez was unknown in the US - his home country, he was a famous but mysterious figure in South Africa. His music inspired generations of South Africans. But 2Pac was just one of the “African stars” for the Chinese businesspeople.

Tang surprised me when I last visited him. While talking, he suddenly stood up as if he had realized something important, “You asked me about this guy. He died in 1996! (A Cameroonian client) told me this guy died a long time ago.” “You know what, the client also gave me some of his songs.” Tang turned on his speaker. It was the famous California Love by 2Pac and the legendary Dr. Dre. “Even this song was from the 1990s. It is not old to me at all.” Tang said to me.

Yes, 2Pac’s music never gets old.