Shakur, Tupac, << shuh KOOR, too PAHK >> (1971-1996), was one of the most popular and controversial performers in the history of American rap music. He sold millions of albums during his short career, but reviewers and other people frequently attacked him for the violence and hostility reflected in his lyrics.
The violence in Shakur’s music carried over into his personal life. Shakur was arrested several times on assault charges. He served eight months in prison for sexual assault. He was shot to death in Las Vegas in 1996. The shooting occurred on September 7, and he died on September 13. Many people blamed his murder on a feud with other rappers, but nobody was charged with the killing.
Shakur was born on June 16, 1971. His birth name was Lesane Parish Crooks. Some time after his birth, his mother changed his name to Tupac Amaru. He later took the name Tupac Shakur. His mother’s name was Afeni Shakur. Tupac Amaru was the name of an Inca Indian emperor and of a later rebel leader in Peru. Shakur grew up in New York City, but his family settled in Marin City, California, when he was 17.
Shakur performed with the rap group Digital Underground for a short time before he released his first solo album, 2Pacalypse Now (1991). The album gained him national attention. His next album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993), included the hit singles “I Get Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up.” His third album, Me Against the World (1995), became one of the best sellers in rap history. His next album, All Eyez on Me (1996), included the hit singles “How Do U Want It?” and “California Love.”
Shakur appeared in several motion pictures. He won particular praise for his acting in Juice (1992) and Poetic Justice (1993). Several albums of Shakur’s previously unreleased material were issued after his death. They included R U Still Down? (1997), Until the End of Time (2001), and Loyal to the Game (2004). Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
See also Notorious B.I.G., The; Rap music.
