Tupac Shakur was one of hip-hop?s most notorious and controversial icons. His untimely death at the age of 25 sent a shock wave through the music world. Now the true events of his final tumultuous year, including his assas... more »sination, are documented on film by the man who witnessed them. Frank Alexander, Tupac?s personal bodyguard, presents Tupac Shakur: Before I Wake from Xenon Pictures. This film details Tupac?s encounters with the law; an examination of the chaotic events surrounding his death, including the reaction from Death Row Records president "Suge" Knight; an interview with homicide detective Brent Becker of the LVPD; commentary from Rev. Jesse Jackson, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and Russell Simmons. Also included are a foreword and interview with Prof. Michael Eric Dyson (author of Holla If You Hear Me: Why Tupac Shakur Matters), original interviews with Tupac himself, and footage of the recording sessions for the posthumous album Until the End of Time. This is Tupac up close and personal as you have never seen him before? and may never see him again.« less
This should have been called the Frank Alexander story
Ameer Edwards | Chapel Hill, NC | 01/22/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD was worth the [money] I spent but I would not recommend it to any non Tupac Fan. This DVD is basically Tupac's body guard telling about his life as Tupac's main body guard and friend. This DVD does an exellent job of showing the softer side of Tupac. The in studio footage is very entertaining. Out of the 8 0r 9 people interviewed only Frank Alexander had a close relationship with Pac. Not a single represenitive of Death Row was interviewed. No interview was done with his mother or close homeboys who new Pac for many years. Frank Alexander is an impostor who is using his position as Pac's ex body guard to make a quick buck. Frank Alexander is the executive producer and he made no effort to make this a fair balanced piece. Alexander new Pac for all of 12 months. More interjection from people who new Pac on a personal basis would have made this DVD worth purchasing. All that said it is still a must have for a true Tupac fan."
Great video - but is it the truth????
01/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was absolutely the BEST video I've seen on Tupac, or any rap artist! After suffering through Thug Immortal, it looks as if Xenon finally has gotten it right. The only thing I question is whether the bodyguard is telling all that he knows. Some of the stuff seems believable, but there was a lot of stuff that just didn't make sense to me.But from a pure entertainment perspective, it was very good. I laughed (the in-studio footage was hilarious - it was good to see Pac smiling), and I got caught up in the moment when he died. The film was very intelligently done. I've always been a Tupac fan, and this is finally something really about HIM! Of course now though, I want some more Pac material!"
For The Serious Pac Fan
Joseph Williams | Illinois | 06/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you really have an interest in Tupac Shakur, and you REALLY want to know who is possibly responsible for his murder, then get Tupac Shakur: Before I Wake. Out of all the Tupac documentaries, this is the only one that followed his shooting in a step by step format. Frank's part is a little long, but he takes you on a step by step journey of Pac's last year of his life. It was good seeing Easy E in the doc, some people act like he never existed. Done by true Pac fans and fans of hip hop.....I can tell, can you??"
A Must Watch!
Ameer Edwards | 02/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must say when it comes to Tupac, I'll watch anything, but their have been some disappointing videos, like for example Thug Immotral, which just was .... That video they are just trying to make money out of his name. This one I had my doubts but as I continued to watch, it got more exciting. I really do recommend this DVD for all 2pac fans. It just makes you think, how talented he was, also the way he died. In my opinion his murder was defintely a setup, it was planned. That's the sad thing about Tupac, a great artist, dying at a young age, when he had so much to prove and accomplish. But to my point every Pac fan must see this. I know I did, I even shed some tears at the end of the video. It can be a very emotional video also, but very interesting and exciting. R.I.P Tupac Amaru Shakur, the legend he is, the best."
Classic
Keith Peters | Phoenix,AZ | 03/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you thought Thug Immortal, Welcome to DeathRow, and any other unauthorized documentary about 2pac was good, y'all seen nothing until y'all have seen "Before I Wake". It takes you where other documentaries can't and that's threw the eyes of someone who was closest to him. "Before I Wake" was made by 2pac's former bodyguard, Frank Alexander (who also wrote the "Got Your Back" book), and
therefore he's the main one being interviewed; Cathy Scott, Michael Eric Dyson, etective B. Becker (a detective that was at the scene of the Las Vegas Shooting were interviewed). Frank goes over alot of things, from what he talked about in his book to all of the nights in Las Vegas leading up to the 2pac's death to other things; he even goes to the exact street where the shooting occured and breaks it down specifically, from detail to detail. The video includes unreleased footage of 2pac (as well as the Outlaws and Snooop) in the studio recording/playing songs (like "Why U Turn On Me", the Outlawz rapping over the "Untouchable Freestyle" beat, and Frank's paraplegic niece talking on one of the songs), hanging out, and clowning people, which is very hilarious. It also has unseen footage of 2pac on Sept 7 in Las Vegas moments before the shooting, rare pictures, and some extended interviews. Also archive footage from Eazy-E, Russell Simmons, and Jesse Jackson. I can't speak on the DVD version, because I have the VHS version, but I'm sure the DVD version has 'special features'. Everybody should pick this up; you'll get your money's worth."