Back in the Day: My Life and Times with Tupac Shakur

by Darrin Keith Bastfield

Book Overview

A legend after a bullet killed him at the age of twenty-five, Tupac Shakur was the most riveting rap musician of his day. Far from being the insolent "gangsta" the press put forth, Shakur was fiercely intelligent, fearless, and determined to make a mark. Darrin Bastfield grew up with him in a rough Baltimore neighborhood. In this vivid memoir, Bastfield reveals Tupac Shakur as the teenager he really was: bound for greatness.In tight, edgy prose, Bastfield...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306812959
• ISBN13: 9780306812958
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A different view of Tupac (RIP)

I liked this book quite a bit. Mainly because it offered a different perspective than most other books about Tupac.This book was written by a teenage friend who experieced the same things Tupac himself experienced. They 'shared the struggle' of trying to better themselves in a very harsh environment. This book shows the almost relentless passion Tupac had to try and influence the world around him in a positive way. And the internal struggle he had with some of his actions. He knew of the contradiction and was trying to evolve. Too bad he was cut short in his quest. One of the most telling insights to the basis of Tupac's personality is the answer to the question one of his earlist teachers asked. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"For those who haven't ever looked too deeply into Tupac's more intellectual and compassionate side, there is a surprise in store, Tupac's heart. For those of us that knew he was much more than a thug, you'll see more and more of his depth.An easy read that kept me flippin pages..

A straightforward yet emotional remembrance

Back In The Day is author Darren Keith Bastfield's informative and intrinsically fascinating memoir of the time he spent with controversial rap musician Tupac Shakur, before Shakur was murdered at the age of twenty-five. Recalling seven years of friendship; touching upon Shakur's incredible demonstration of talent; a wild senior prom; Shakur's surprising love of Shakespeare; the Baltimore neighborhood in which he grew up, and so much more, Back In The Day is a straightforward yet emotional remembrance of a young black man destined to make his mark before meeting a tragic and untimely end.

The Best Book Ever

Although I Havent read alot of books this is definetly the best book i have ever read. I enjoy how the author talks about his times growing up with him because there is a lot of stuff I have never heard about. I definetly recommend you read this book if you are a big Pac fan or if your just interested in reading about someone who has changed lives everywhere.

A Fresh Perspective

Tupac Shakur has always been interesting to me. A fellow book club member read, reviewed and praised this book, so immediately I was intrigued. Throughout the years I have read snippets of Tupac's life that also piqued my curiosity. Much of what was written and portrayed prior to his death was the life of a thug rapper and little was written about his intelligence, his mind and his childhood. Darrin Bastfield's book, Back In the Day: My Life and Times With Tupac Shakur is the book to read if you want a fresh perspective on Tupac, the child and the man he became.Bastfield does an excellent job of portraying his life with Tupac and other friends during their days at the Baltimore School for the Performing Arts. Through his portrayal we see a child raised in poverty literally; a child raised by a mother both weak and strong and a child forced to become a man much too soon. Bastfield is mesmerized by Tupac's intelligence and his excellent skill at acting and so was I. He is surprised at Tupac's love of Shakespeare and so was I.There is one additional book written about Tupac Shakur by a writer that I highly respect but Back In the Day is the beginning and is necessary because it sets the stage for all others to come. Who better to write about Tupac's childhood than a childhood friend? One more note: this brother can write!Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves...

Missing You Tupac

"Back in the Day" is a must read for friend or foe of Tupac. Prior to my reading the first page Tupac held a special place in my heart I reserve for celebrities. Upon turning the last page and digesting Darrin Keith Bastfields' words, Tupac Amaru Shakur became my friend and brother. A loss that was magnified ten times after finishing the book.The author takes us on a trip down memory lane of his school days and neighborhood times in Baltimore with Tupac, with mentions of Jada Pinkett now Jada Pinkett Smith and Dana M. Smith a.ka. Mouse the human beatbox. In the prologue Darrin Keith Bastfield says "And it is my intention that all of you have this firsthand experience, and be duly affected by it." I can attest that I have been affected and will remain so for a long time.I want to thank the author for validating my thoughts regarding Tupacs' personality. Behind his eyes I knew lived a beautiful genius who purred like a cat, but the media promoted him as a untamed bear. We miss you Tupac and again thank you Mr. Bastfield.Reviewed by Missy APOOO Bookclub