One thing is for sure: "I will be listening to some Tupac on my birthday. He wouldn't mind seeing the Tupac hologram in person, he says. It's fun to listen to, and also I liked over his career, you could see him transform."įoxhoven turns 67 next week, and is still figuring out what to do next. "Part of the reason I like Tupac it's good music - it's not just rap with a bass in the background. He first got into Tupac in the early '90s when the rapper was still alive - "we're going to have to get into this East Coast, West Coast thing," he says apologetically, as he explained his preference for the Californian musician. It's not true at all," he says, adding that he hoped his situation could lead to "having open discussions about race and what we have in common, instead of what separates us." "It's important for us to break down those stereotypes: if you listen to rap music, you're a criminal or dangerous. He said he was especially disturbed by a recent news story which reported that a 17-year-old boy in Arizona was fatally stabbed by a man who said the victim's rap music made him feel "unsafe." Ultimately, Foxhoven tells NPR he's glad that his emails about his favorite musical artist have now made national news, because it allows for a discussion about stereotypes and music. In fact, he regularly cited Tupac in staff and agency-wide emails - including a Valentine's Day email in which he marveled, "isn't it wonderful that we have a day to celebrate love?" This observation was followed by a quote from Tupac's "Dear Mama." The 66 year old's inbox even included a meme that referenced Tupac's famous collaboration with Dr. Tupac-themed baked goods, brought to the office by staff to celebrate Mr. In one email he dispensed career advice, noting that he was inspired at the agency by the well-known Tupac song " Changes." The hundreds of pages of emails reviewed by NPR show that by all accounts Foxhoven was widely admired by his staff and regularly took time to mentor subordinates. "You are such a breath of fresh air, Jerry!" wrote one staff member in response, according to emails obtained by NPR. In that same email, he praised his staff, writing that it was "absolute honor to lead such a dedicated and committed group of people." In response, more than a dozen employees at the agency wrote back to praise him for the positive message. "It simply means that you are 2 steps ahead." "Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back," he wrote, citing Tupac.
The email which preceded his ouster was a positive one, in which he recognized Father's Day, Tupac's Birthday and his own work anniversary. Foxhoven's Tupac emails were first reported by the AP. NPR made a public records request in order to obtain emails involving Foxhoven and his references to Tupac. "I am going to hang in there on him - despite all the naysayers," he wrote in one email, after a staff member said that there were "haters" who didn't appreciate his Tupac quotes.Īlthough he knew one employee had complained about his frequent references to Tupac, Foxhoven says he hopes they were not the reason he was forced to resign.įoxhoven points out that Barry Manilow's birthday is one day after Tupac's, and wonders whether he have been dismissed if he had cited Manilow instead. These emails indicate that action may have been taken due to his Tupac-related messages. In an email, one of his staff members alluded to the existence of a disgruntled employee, who then reported his Tupac references to state legislators. They did not cite a reason, and Foxhoven was not made aware of why he was let go after two years on the job.įoxhoven was aware that at least one individual was not a fan of his Tupac quotations. Instead, the governor's chief of staff confiscated his cell phone and ID card on the spot and ordered him not to go back to his office.
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