Today we pay homage to the life of rapper Tupac Shakur. 2Pac sold over 75 million albums worldwide and was named the 86th Greatest Artist of All Time by Rolling Stone. Not only was he a rapper but also an actor and social activist. The rapper had his share of legal troubles and served jail time. He was released from jail on an appeal financed by Marion “Suge” Knight and in exchange agreed to release three albums on Death Row Records.
2Pac was born in Harlem, New York but in 1986 he and his mother relocated to Baltimore. He attended Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School and the Baltimore School of The Arts. There he studied acting, poetry, jazz and ballet. It was there where he met and developed a tight bond with Jada Pinkett.
Tupac’s career began with the group Digital Underground. His first album was 2Pacalypse, which did not spawn any top ten hits but his second album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. had two hit singles off that album including “Keep Ya Head Up” and “I Get Around.” Thug Life: Volume 1 and All Eyez On Me were released in 1995 and 1996. 2Pac released Me Against The World and is the only artist ever to have an album at number one while on the Billboard 200 while serving a jail sentence.
During his career, the rapper faced much criticism from politicians, ministers and individuals who were not fans of what he expressed in his music. He was also charged with sexual assault and violating probation. He served several terms in jail. In 1994 Shakur was shot five times and robbed after entering the lobby of Quad Recording Studios and blamed Puffy, Biggie Smalls and Andre Harrell for setting him up. They denied participation in the attack.
On September 13, 1996, Shakur died after complications from a shooting while in Las Vegas. He died on internal bleeding. The rapper was only 25-years-old at the time of his death.
“Dear Momma”
“Keep Ya Head Up”
“Brenda’s Got A Baby”
“California Love”
“Do For Love”
