Tupac Shakur’s biological father, Billy Garland, opened up on his true feeling about being dissed in his son’s famous “Dear Mama” track. It’s well documented that Pac never really acknowledged Garland as his true father, even going as far as proclaiming that Garland had passed away in the song. The hit continues to be one of 2Pac’s most emblematic and beloved tracks of all time, which makes Billy’s admissions even more interesting – more than 25 years after the death of Pac.
Garland gave an interview for the Art of Dialogue Youtube channel, admitting that he felt hurt at first, after listening to the song. Shakur’s biological father, however, went on the add that he soon realized someone had brutally lied about his persona. Billy points out the fact that Pac claims he was dead in his lyrics, which clearly didn’t turn out to be the case. Nowadays, Garland has no bad feelings towards his son, stating that he listens to Tupac’s records on a daily basis and is a massive fan of all of his work. Seeing as Shakur is his son, Billy also said that he doesn’t look up to Pac’s persona in the way that many of his other followers do.
Dear Mama Lyrics
Now ain’t nobody tell us it was fair No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn’t there He passed away and I didn’t cry, cause my anger wouldn’t let me feel for a stranger They say I’m wrong and I’m heartless, but all along I was lookin for a father he was gone
2Pac’s dad continued to reveal that the last movie Pac ever watched was Forest Gump, which left the icon quite excited. Although Shakur had the urge to sometimes move away from the spotlight, Garland thinks that Pac always got caught up in the need to be an active part of society, which ultimately led to his untimely demise.
Even though Tupac himself felt Mutulu Shakur was his real father, history will always remember the name of Billy Garland, for good or for bad. We could only imagine how Garland and Pac’s relationship would’ve matured had the rapper not been tragically murdered.