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Director Allen Hughes Believes 2Pac Would Have Been Denzel’s Competition, If The Rapper Was Still Alive

Allen Hughes Says 2Pac Can Compete With Denzel
Tupac Shakur and Allen Hughes, in 1992. Image source: Atron Gregory.

Director Allen Hughes believes the late legendary rapper 2Pac would have been Oscar award-winning actor Denzel Washington’s competition. Allen Hughes is known for his work on “Menace II Society” (1993), “Dead Presidents” (1995), and “The Book of Eli” (2010) – which Denzel starred in. The West Coast rapper had an immaculate music catalog but was also a popular actor. He died in 1996 but left a large impact behind till this day.

Director Hughes Discussing Tupac’s Potential

Hughes discussed Tupac Shakur’s acting potential in his recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.” The “Broken City” director said, “If he [Tupac] had been here, I think Denzel would have some stiff competition.” Then, he spoke about both men and their “emotional and social intelligence” being “off the charts.”

Although he did add, “The difference is, Denzel is very wise and can control his emotions and 2Pac [couldn’t].” The film director thinks Shakur would have been one of the best out now and had a few Academy Awards.

The film-making twins, Albert and Allen Hughes, with Denzel Washington shooting “The Book of Eli.” Image source: WARNER BROS.

Allen Hughes Directs FX’s “Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakur”

The 51-year-old is the executive producer, writer and director of FX’s “deeply personal” five-part docuseries “Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakur.” In addition, this story doesn’t go in chronological order yet takes you on a journey “back and forth in time” about a mother and son. You can stream it on Hulu or catch the series Fridays at 10pm on FX.

2Pac Attacks Hughes On Set

Tupac worked with the Detroit native on the “Brenda’s Got a Baby” music video. Plus, he cast Shakur in his debut film with Hughes’ twin brother, Albert. The film became a classic named “Menace II Society.” But the rapper was ousted for “causing trouble” on set. After 2Pac attacked the famed director in 1993.

The Cali native received an assault and battery charge. Therefore he got 15 days in jail and 30 months of probation, then that was the second time in less than a year he was prosecuted in Los Angeles.

Shakur’s Film Catalog

Tupac Shakur acted in well-known films, including “Gang Related” (1997), “Above The Rim” (1994), “Juice” (1992), and the film the girlies love with the legendary Janet Jackson “Poetic Justice” (1993).

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New Allen Hughes Documentary “Dear Mama” on The Way

Tupac, Afeni, Dear Mama

Allen Hughes, famed director of films “Menace II Society,” “Book of Eli,” and “Dead Presidents,” newest project “Dear Mama” will premiere in April.

Who is Allen Hughes?

Allen Hughes is a cultural contributor via film. His imprint is unerasable. Many of his movies are now cultural classics making one thing certain, his talent has made way for him. Allen Hughes often works alongside his brother. Together they make up the dynamic duo of the Hughes brothers. And The Hughes brothers easily make the top ten of any list celebrating Black excellence in the entertainment Industry. However, this is no surprise. Allen and his brother Albert began making movies in their adolescence. Over the years, they have worked tirelessly on perfecting their craft. And now Allen Hughes is again donning his directorial hat. He is taking on the subject of Tupac and Afeni Shakur in the upcoming release “Dear Mama.”

“Dear Mama:” An Interesting Development

Tupac and Allen Hughes

Image Source: Shutterstock; Courtesy of James Minchin

For some, Hughes’s acceptance of such a project is a surprise. It is no secret that Tupac and Hughes had a disagreement resulting from Tupac being let go from “Menace II Society.” Public record shows that the tensions between the two reached a fever pitch resulting in an altercation. As a result, Shakur took an assault and battery charge.

 

Despite the assault, Hughes never let that get in the way of giving Tupac the props he felt he deserved. Hughes has tried to keep It real, not sugarcoating his perception of the rap icon. At the behest of Tupac’s family and estate, he took on “Dear Mama,” pouring himself fully into producing a rich and informative documentary on the life and work of Tupac and Afeni Shakur.

More About “Dear Mama”

“Dear Mama” is written as five-part series that will begin on April 21 on the FX Network and run until May 12. According to FX, Hughes has crafted the feature to explore “linkages between mother and son, 1970s and 1990s, black activism and hip hop highlighting how much has and has not changed in the human rights struggle.” With his critical eye and moving film technique, Hughes aims to share an authentic narrative of Afeni and how her life and actions shaped Tupac into what he became. Cumulatively, as FX notes,

“it  [“Dear Mama”] explores how fate and love eternally linked Afeni and Tupac.”

On Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur

Image Source: New York Times

Tupac is an icon and a legend in the hip-hop community. And despite his often-conflicting public persona, he was intelligent and unbelievably talented. In addition, he was an activist, a giver, and a visionary whose life was cut too short. So we honor his contributions, celebrate his humanity, and continue to uplift the legacy he left. For those desiring to know a little more about Tupac and the first love of his life, Afeni, check out “Dear Mama” on the FX network and streaming on Hulu starting April 21.

Written by: Renae Richardson