There has been all sorts of controversy surrounding the death of Tupac Shakur since he was shot in 1996. And maybe that’s why one of his songs is being archived in the Library of Congress.
“Dear Mama” is one of 25 recordings that will be added to the National Recording Registry this year.
Comedian Bill Cosby’s entire second album will be added to the registry as well.
Performances by R.E.M., Willie Nelson and Patti Smith are other musical additions, but the recordings don’t have to have a beat to make the collection. A tape of sounds from World War II will also be archived.
In order to be added to the registry, recordings must be at least 10 years old and have cultural, historical or aesthetic significance. If you want to recommend some Hanson for next year's list, you can nominate it by clicking here.
Last week Tupac and Biggie Smalls were added to the D.C. Madame Tussauds.
The List:
1. "Fon der Choope" (From the Wedding), Abe Elenkrig’s Yidishe Orchestra (1913)
2. "Canal Street Blues," King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band (1923)
3. "Tristan und Isolde," Metropolitan Opera, featuring Kirsten Flagstad and Lauritz Melchior, NBC Broadcast of March 9, 1935
4. "When You Wish Upon a Star," Cliff Edwards (recorded, 1938; released, 1940)
5. "America’s Town Meeting of the Air: Should Our Ships Convoy Materials to England?" (May 8, 1941)
6. The Library of Congress Marine Corps Combat Field Recording Collection, Second Battle of Guam (July 20 - August 11, 1944)
7. "Evangeline Special" and "Love Bridge Waltz," Iry LeJeune (1948)
8. "The Little Engine That Could," narrated by Paul Wing (1949)
9. Leon Metcalf Collection of recordings of the First People of Western Washington State (1950-1954)
10. "Tutti Frutti," Little Richard (1955)
11. "Smokestack Lightning," Howlin’ Wolf (1956)
12. "Gypsy," original cast recording (1959)
13. The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, Bill Evans Trio (June 25, 1961)
14. "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)," Max Mathews (1961)
15. "I Started Out As a Child," Bill Cosby (1964)
16. "Azucar Pa Ti," Eddie Palmieri (1965)
17. "Today!," Mississippi John Hurt (1966))
18. "Silver Apples of the Moon," Morton Subotnick (1967)
19. "Soul Folk in Action," The Staple Singers (1968)
20. "The Band," The Band (1969)
21. "Coal Miner’s Daughter," Loretta Lynn (1970)
22. "Red Headed Stranger," Willie Nelson (1975)
23. "Horses," Patti Smith (1975)
24. "Radio Free Europe" R.E.M. (1981))
25. "Dear Mama," Tupac Shakur (1995)
