2Pac

Tupac Amaru Shakur was a talented American rapper, actor, activist, and a poet who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry during his lifetime. Born on June 16, 1971 in the East Harlem section of New York City, his mother, Afeni Shakur, was a member of the Black Panther Party ― an organization advocating self-determination for African Americans. At birth, his name was Lesane Parish Crooks, but it was changed to Tupac Amaru Shakur in 1972 (named after Tupac Amaru II, an 18th-century Incan freedom fighter) (*1). Tupac and his motherAfeni moved around a lot while he was growing up due to poverty.

Tupac’s first on-screen appearance was a role he shared in 1988's movie 'A lone Star Struck'. Later, he starred in several movies such as 'Juice', 'Poetic Justice' and 'Above the Rim'. Tupac appeared on six studio albums namely "2Pac, Me Against the World", "All Eyez on Me", "R U Still Down? (Remember Me)", "Until the End of Time". He was the spark of peace in West Coast hip hop during his winding career.

Tupac was highly effected by Detroit disc jockey and producer New York whom he went on to consider as a mentor. He was signed to the New York based music label Interscope Records under the name 2Pac henceforth. Tupac made an iconic rival with east coast hall of fame rap artist Notorious B.I.G. Their rivalry consisted diss records sent to each other in order to establish a greater stone side.

Tupac moved California in 1989 and his rap career was on a high point from the very beginning and slowly the attention of his fame reached its peak after the release of his first album “2Pacalypse Now”. During his rap career he was known by many pseudonyms like PAC, MC New York and Makiivel Makoola etc. He gained much publicity with his individually strong yet distinctive style of rap. Unlike other hit rappers, Tupac wrote and performed songs about topics that transcended the music world  so he rapped about social and political issues, and even about the power of prayer.

On Saturday, September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot after attending the Mike Tyson–Bruce Seldon boxing fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Tupac was pronounced dead on Friday, September 13, 1996 entering indelibly into the fabric of pop culture however his tragic death at the age of 25 still remains unsolved (*2). Eight posthumous albums have been released following Tupac’s death, seven of which went to the top of the charts. From his high school days to his professional rapper career till his death, Tupac's legacy will never be forgotten as a great hip-hop artist, who touched the hearts of millions of people nationally and globally with his music and passion for activism.

Notes:

*1. https://www.biography.com/musician/tupac-shakur *2. “Tupac Amaru Shakur: Still the Best-Selling Dead Artist in the Country -- and the Only Hip-Hop Legend To Make Fortune Magazine’s List”. Hiphoprightnow.com. Retrieved 2020-10-18.