Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971–1996), known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor who stands among the greatest musical artists of the 20th century. Born in Harlem to Black Panther activists, Shakur's life was shaped by social consciousness and revolutionary ideals from the start. He rose to become one of the best-selling music artists worldwide, with over 75 million records sold, while simultaneously establishing himself as a prominent cultural and political voice for Black America.

Shakur's music career launched in the late 1980s with Digital Underground before his debut album 2Pacalypse Now (1991) established him as a central figure in West Coast hip-hop. His early work combined politically charged lyrics addressing social injustice with poetic storytelling, earning critical acclaim. Subsequent albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) and the universally acclaimed Me Against the World (1995) cemented his artistic credibility. His magnum opus, All Eyez on Me (1996)—rap's first double album—marked a stylistic shift toward gangsta rap and achieved massive commercial success, spawning two number-one singles, "California Love" and "How Do U Want It." The album earned multiple platinum certifications and remains one of hip-hop's defining works.

Beyond music, Shakur pursued acting in films including Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), and Above the Rim (1994). He was also an accomplished poet, writing introspectively about liberation, identity, and social struggle throughout his life.

Shakur's later years were marked by legal troubles and involvement in the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry. After serving eight months in prison on sexual assault charges, he signed to Death Row Records and engaged in a high-profile feud with his former friend the Notorious B.I.G. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he died six days later at age 25. His unsolved murder remains one of hip-hop's greatest mysteries.

Shakur's influence extended far beyond music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2017) and Hip-Hop Hall of Fame (2002). His posthumous albums, including The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996), achieved multi-platinum status. Today, Shakur's revolutionary spirit, innovative production, and socially conscious lyricism continue to resonate globally, making him an enduring cultural icon whose artistic legacy transcends hip-hop.