Raquel speaks with PEOPLE about the pride, meaning, and unexpected viral reaction behind her son Julian’s first grade performance of a hip-hop classic
raquel
NEED TO KNOW
- A first grader’s performance of Tupac’s ‘Dear Mama’ went viral on TikTok
- His mom says the song’s message of love and appreciation resonated deeply
- Viewers connected across generations, sharing stories of motherhood and loss
The moment the curtain lifted, a first grade talent show transformed into something far more powerful than anyone in the room expected. A young boy’s confident performance would soon travel far beyond his school auditorium and into millions of hearts online.
“When Julian told me he wanted to perform ‘Dear Mama,’ I honestly smiled and thought, that sounds just like him,” his mom, Raquel, says. She explains that music has always come naturally to him, though seeing him step onto the stage still felt surreal.
As the opening notes played, Julian launched into "Dear Mama" with a focus and confidence that surprised many in the audience. The song, famously performed by Tupac Shakur, is known as an emotional tribute to motherhood.
@rockyvslife
Talent show 1st grade #2pac #talentshow #dearmama Juju
♬ original sound – RockyVsLife
“When the curtains opened, I was overwhelmed with pride,” Raquel says. She adds that watching her son perform at such a young age is a moment she knows she will carry with her forever.
Julian’s connection to the song was years in the making. Raquel says he has grown up surrounded by a wide range of music that spans generations and genres.
Artists like Tupac, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Kanye West have always been part of the soundtrack of their home and car rides. Over time, Julian became familiar with the rhythms, storytelling, and emotion behind the music.
Raquel believes it was the message of “Dear Mama” that truly resonated with her son. She says he has always been vocal about his love and gratitude toward her and the role she plays in his life.
“‘Dear Mama’ has always been playing in the car, so it was a song he already knew and connected with naturally,” she explains. To her, the performance was all about the song's meaning.
The performance itself was met with applause inside the auditorium, but Raquel had no idea what would happen once she shared the video online. She posted the clip to TikTok expecting friends and family to enjoy the moment.
“I was completely taken aback by the response,” she says. Within hours, the video passed a thousand likes and views, signaling that something bigger was unfolding.
As the numbers continued to climb, comments poured in from strangers around the world. Many shared personal stories about their mothers, childhood memories, and the emotions the song stirred.
Raquel says the outpouring of love felt overwhelming in the best way. She describes feeling deeply grateful for how many people connected with her son’s performance.
Closer to home, parents, teachers, and community members also reached out with support. The majority praised Julian’s confidence and the heartfelt message behind his song choice.
raquel
While a small number expressed disagreement with the selection, Raquel remained unfazed. She says she is confident in who she is as a mother and the values she instills in her children. “The song choice doesn’t define us,” she says. Instead, she believes the love, respect, and intention behind the performance speak for themselves.
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Online, viewers connected with the performance for a wide range of deeply personal reasons. Raquel says many comments referenced loss, remembrance, and gratitude.
“‘Dear Mama’ is a powerful song,” she says, explaining that its meaning shifts depending on each listener’s experiences. For many, it became a moment of reflection and healing.
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