Thug Life Army

The Farmani Gallery, founded in 2003 has established itself as one of the leading Gallery of Contemporary Photography in Los Angeles.

They are featuring photos by Gobi of west coast hip-hop rap icon Tupac Shakur. The exhibit of the photos of the late great Tupac will be featured Thursday March 31 between t:00 and 10:00 P.M.

The photos of Tupac in this collection chronicle the last days of his life. They document from the end of 1995, up to his death in 1996.

If you are in the LA area make sure you catch this. Visit the web site of The Farmani Gallery below for more information.

About Gobi

My passion for photography was the first artistic ability that materialized in my life. I was born in London, England and lived in Iran for my formative years. The rich textures, ancient architecture and people of Iran,  gave me many opportunities to fill a frame with image. After years of working in Real Estate and Marketing, I finally decided to follow my passion and made a transition into the world of Music Video and Commercial production; first as a producer and then later as a director. This shift allowed me to make use of my photography skills and eventually use them as one of my tools in honing the craft of direction. Whether working with still or motion images, I have always been fascinated by the desire to capture nuances of whatever was in front of the lens, in an unexpected fashion.

 On TUPAC

The photos of Tupac in this collection chronicle the last days of his life. They document from the end of 1995, up to his death in 1996.

I became a trusted business partner and friend of Tupac Amaru Shakur during the last 8 months of his life. I had started a film company with him called 24/7 Production.  I suggested the name, because working with Tupac was a 24/7 proposition. Tupac’s intention was to create a minority owned Production Company, and shape it into a force to be reckoned with in the film industry. 24/7 had a potential 3 picture deal a week prior Tupac’s death. I had the pleasure of producing and directing many of Tupac’s music videos. I witnessed a young successful African American man live and die before he received a chance to realize his full potential. 

Growing up in Iran, I often heard of the Dervish, a person who possesses a dynamic and heightened sense of awareness. Much like the shaman or the prophet, these beings are not always accepted by their society or tribe, but often act as a powerful force in shaping it. Tupac possessed many of these qualities. His artistic contributions to music, film and poetry are unparalleled. Tupac was an important person, not only to African American culture, but also to world culture. His music and acting set precedents that have been duplicated by many who have followed in his footsteps. From the moment I met him to the day he died, I considered myself as one of his soldiers and always will. Tupac was an artist, a warrior and a poet. During his short life, he achieved those titles with his talent, his persistence, and his tenacity. 

After Tupac’s passing, I remember reading much of his fan mail. Letters poured in from Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, South Africa and my homeland, Iran. I was amazed by his international influence. As Mr. Quincy Jones so aptly stated in his book, if he had died at the age of 25, his legacy would have been remembered as a big band musician. If Malcolm X had died at the age of 25, he would have been known only as a street hustler named Detroit Red. Tupac at the age of 25 has starred in five feature films and had sold millions of albums. 

I was privy to a changing Tupac. A Tupac on his way to autonomy and maturity. I often feel that if he had lived just a bit longer, he would have been able to complete his obligations and move on with his own plans. He had started a film production company and a record label of his own. He lived the life of a mythological character, like a Luke Skywalker with a fair share of Darth Vader’s around him. In one of our last meetings I heard him say " in six months people aren’t going to be able to recognize me, I’m going to act like such an adult. In fact one day I’m going to run for mayor of Los Angeles". Sometimes I feel that he communicates with me in strange ways.  His aspirations were never ending, his spirit eternal. Meeting him has been one of my life’s great pleasures, his death one of my life’s greatest disappointments. I will miss him dearly and I will mourn his death for the rest of my days. He changed me, and because of him I am a better person. May peace be upon him.  

For more information on this Collection go  HERE .