The Right Time with Bomani Jones How Tupac's All Eyez on Me launched the greatest year in rap | 02.10
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Feb 10, 2026 Jason England, a sports and culture writer, walks through why 1996 belongs to Tupac. He discusses Tupac’s post‑jail studio marathon, the explosive release of All Eyez on Me, and how charisma, rivalry with Biggie, and raw emotion reshaped rap that year.
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From Digital Underground To Superstar
- Bomani recalls Pac's rise from Digital Underground skits to solo star power with hits like "I Get Around."
- He notes jail paradoxically increased Tupac's fame and mythos.
Emotion As Rapping Technique
- Pac sold every syllable with intentionality, using acting skill to make emotion his main device as a rapper.
- Bomani and Jason credit him with advancing emotional performance in rap beyond technical lyricism.
Seeing Pac Transcend Audiences
- Jason shares a story of playing "Hearts of Men" in a bar and watching a white fan rap every line.
- He uses it to show Pac's cross‑demographic reach and electrifying effect on audiences.