Historical Figure
Tupac Shakur
1971–1996
American rapper and actor (1971–1996)
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Biography
Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. He was one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century, and a prominent political activist for Black America. He is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Some of Shakur's music addressed social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of African Americans, but he was also synonymous with gangsta rap and violent lyrics.
In Their Own Words (5)
They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor.
"Keep Ya Head Up" , 1993
I ain't a killer, but don't push me Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy.
"Hail Mary" , 1996
If your not cheering for me, for what I'm doing, don't cheer for me. Don't cheer cause you think I'm cute, you know what I'm saying, screw that. Cheer for me for what I'm doing, for what I stand for, and when I go to jail you should cheer louder.
1994
It's a constant man-ego-check going on in the streets, in this world.
1994
It's like a battle, trying to find the right words to say at the right time.
1994
Timeline
The story of Tupac Shakur, told in moments.
Born Lesane Parish Crooks in East Harlem, New York. His mother Afeni was a Black Panther who'd been acquitted of 150 charges while pregnant with him. She renamed him Tupac Amaru after an Inca revolutionary.
Released 2Pacalypse Now, his debut album. Vice President Dan Quayle publicly condemned it after a man shot a state trooper and blamed the album. Tupac was 20.
Shot five times in the lobby of a Manhattan recording studio. Survived. Accused Diddy and Biggie Smalls of involvement, though this was never proven. The shooting ignited the East Coast/West Coast rap war.
Released Me Against the World while serving time in prison for sexual assault. It debuted at number one. He was the first artist to have a number-one album while incarcerated. Suge Knight posted his $1.4 million bail.
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