Hardly any other rapper had the kind of influence Tupac had on the music industry. His raw emotion and personal lyrics hit deep and made a home in the hearts of millions.
Russell Wilson’s wife, Ciara — an R&B icon herself — recently opened up about just how much Tupac inspired her music.
Ciara Gets Real About Tupac’s Influence on Her Music
Ciara dropped her debut album, “Goodies,” in 2004, and she’s been an R&B favorite ever since. In a recent interview with L’Officiel, she revealed how Tupac shaped her sound and writing style.
“Tupac is probably my favorite rapper of all time. He was a true lyricist, but his melodies were so incredible and infectious. He would be deep through his lyrics, but his songs would resonate with everyone—it was music for the world. He always had a very clear perspective on what he was writing about, and I have a great appreciation for that,” Ciara told L’Officiel.
She explained how she tried to channel some of Tupac’s approach in her own music, which she believes helped her songs reach fans worldwide.
“When I write songs, my strong suit is melodies. Tupac was just the epitome of the ultimate artist and entertainer. He was very bold in his choices. He seemed unapologetic in his choices and like he knew who he was. All of these things, to me, really describe what a true artist should look like.”
Ciara’s debut album, “Goodies,” was a massive success. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album reportedly sold 4 million copies in the U.S.
She also won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video for her feature on Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control.” Ciara earned several more Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “1, 2 Step,” and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Love Sex Magic.”
Ciara began dating Wilson in 2015, and the couple tied the knot in July 2016. They welcomed their first child, daughter Sienna Princess Wilson, in April 2017.
Their second child, Win Harrison Wilson, was born in April 2020. In December 2023, the Wilson family grew again with the birth of their daughter, Amora Princess Wilson.
July 2024 marked eight years of marriage for the couple, and throughout their relationship, they’ve never been shy about publicly showing their love for each other. Ciara’s next project, “Ecstasy” — her eighth studio album — is set to drop in July 2025.