Dear Momma - Tupac listening activity / Song writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Today 

Part 1 

We are going to listen to one of Tupac's most famous songs. We are going to listen to the lyrics first and then answer a few questions. 

Part 2 

Song writing Assignment 

What age was Tupac when he got kicked out on the streets

1. 16
2. 17
3. 18

What happend to Tupac at school?

1. he got good grades
2. he was suspended
3. he left school on his own

'And who'd think in elementary, hey
I'd see the ___________ one day?

1. penitentiary (gevangenis)
2. cemetery (begraafplaats)
3. century (eeuw)

I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin' to ________________

1. be single
2. grow up poor
3. raise a man
4. running from the police

You always was committed
A poor single mother on ___________, tell me how you did it

1. drugs
2. a heartbreak
3. health care
4. welfare

What happend to Tupac's father?

1. he passed away
2. he sold drugs
3. he moved out
4. he took care of Tupac

What did Tupac send to his mother?

1. flowers
2. a bracelet
3. a ring
4. a diamond necklace

How many kids did Tupac's mom have

1. 4
2. 3
3. 2
4. 1

Why use Tupac as an example? 

Years after his death, Tupac’s life is still felt through his legacy and his lyrics.

• He uses real life experience to write songs 
• He tries to be inspirational 
• He uses metaphors

Write your own song

You are going to write your own song. 

You will work together with one or more partners to write the lyrics for a song on a theme of your choice. This assignment is to be completed next week.

Write your own song

The minimum requirement for the song is to write two verses + a chorus in any arrangement you wish— for example, ABAB. This paper (with the completed lyrics on the other side) will be due in class next week.

If you work in pairs, then you have to write four verses! 

When you’re finished writing the song then it’s time to record! The process of recording is up to you. You can record just your voices or make a music video or do it MTV Unplugged style, just you, a chair and the music.

You will have to submit two things:

1. The lyrics to your song

2. Your video of you and your partner performing the song

Deadline = 31 January 2021

Lyrics or beat first? 

Hip-Hop artists usually write lyrics first, beat is made after. It can be the other way around though, lyricist hears the beat and thinks of something that might be nice on that and then writes the lyrics. When recording “California Love” for an example, 

Dr. Dre had made the beat already, 2Pac hopped on it later.