Hulu’s docuseries Dear Mama: The Saga Of Afeni & Tupac Shakur has garnered widespread acclaim for its in-depth exploration of the iconic rapper’s life and the significant role his mother, Afeni Shakur, played in shaping his artistry. However, not everyone is entirely satisfied with the documentary.
Tupac Shakur’s biological father, Billy Garland, recently spoke out about his disappointment with the series, shedding light on his concerns and revealing his perspective on his son’s portrayal.
In an interview with The Art Of Dialogue, Garland revealed that he initially had reservations about speaking to director Allen Hughes about his son. Despite his doubts, he eventually agreed to participate in the project. However, he was unaware that the footage from their conversation would be used for Dear Mama. This lack of awareness seems to have contributed to his disappointment with the final product.
After watching the docuseries, Garland expressed his discontent, stating, “I didn’t like it. It was more about something else than about 2Pac, if you know what I’m saying.”
He felt that the documentary focused on aspects unrelated to Tupac’s life and essence, leading to a less comprehensive portrayal of his son. Garland’s disappointment may stem from the expectation that the documentary would primarily explore Tupac’s life, achievements, and personal experiences.
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One of the specific aspects of the docuseries that Garland took issue with was Allen Hughes’ characterization of Tupac as a “delusional mythmaker” and the assertion that he was “bi-polar.”
Garland strongly disagreed with these labels, suggesting that they failed to capture the reality his son faced in the music industry.
According to Garland, Tupac dealt with betrayal and challenges on his journey to success, which influenced his actions and artistry. Garland’s differing perspective highlights the complexities surrounding Tupac’s life and challenges the simplistic characterizations presented in the documentary.
