Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac, is one of the most iconic and influential figures in hip-hop. Born on June 16, 1971, in New York City, Tupac stood out not only for his musical talent but also for his powerful voice on social and racial issues affecting the African American community. His career, marked by hits like “California Love” and “Changes”, reflected his intense life, full of controversies, achievements, and tragedies. He became a rap legend even after his early death in 1996 at the age of 25.

With his complex personality and poetic, sincere lyrics, Tupac remains a symbol of resistance and authenticity.

Discover some surprising facts about his life and legacy, from his early influences to the mysteries and controversies that still surround his tragic death.

1 – ORIGIN OF THE NAME

Tupac Amaru Shakur was born as Lesane Parish Crooks on June 16, 1971, in East Harlem, New York. His mother, Afeni Shakur, later changed his name to Tupac Amaru, in tribute to Túpac Amaru II, an 18th-century Peruvian indigenous revolutionary leader. The surname “Shakur” has Arabic origins and means “thankful to God”.

But it wasn’t always this way: Before adopting the name Tupac Shakur, he started his music career as MC New York.

This early phase of his career was marked by his collaboration with Leila Steinberg, where he attended her poetry classes and began developing his artistic skills.

2 – BEFORE FAME, TUPAC STUDIED POETRY, THEATER, AND EVEN BALLET

Before gaining fame as a rapper, Tupac was a talented actor and dancer. He studied at the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he focused on ballet, poetry, jazz, and theater.

This extensive artistic training helped shape his commanding stage presence and unique storytelling ability in his music.

3 – THE FIRST ALBUM

Tupac began his musical journey as a dancer and rapper for the group Digital Underground. He drew attention with the band’s single “Same Song”, which led to his solo career.

In 1991, he released his first album, “2Pacalypse Now”, which explored social and political themes in his lyrics.

4 – TUPAC WAS ARRESTED MULTIPLE TIMES

Tupac Shakur had several run-ins with the law throughout his life, some of which resulted in incarceration. His tumultuous life reflected the complexities of being a public figure in the hip-hop world during the 90s, a time marked by rivalries, racial tensions, and violence.

Notable Arrests of Tupac:

• In 1992, Tupac was arrested for assaulting a limousine driver in Los Angeles. The incident occurred after an argument about the volume of the music in the vehicle. He was eventually released after posting bail.
  
• One of the most notorious cases was the 1993 sexual assault charge when a woman alleged that Tupac and his associates sexually assaulted her in a New York hotel room. In 1994, Tupac was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and sentenced to 1.5 to 4.5 years in prison. He denied the charges, claiming the act was consensual, and alleged that the conviction was an attempt to discredit him. He was released on bail in 1995 after serving about nine months at Clinton Correctional Facility.
  
• That same year, Tupac was arrested for shooting at two off-duty police officers in Atlanta. The police alleged that Tupac fired after a traffic altercation. However, the case was dropped after it was revealed that the officers were intoxicated and one of the weapons they carried was obtained illegally.
  
• In November 1994, Tupac was shot five times and robbed in the lobby of a recording studio in Manhattan, New York. This occurred one day before his conviction for sexual abuse. He believed the attack was part of a conspiracy against him, which intensified his rivalry with Notorious B.I.G. and the East Coast rap scene.
  
• In 1996, Tupac was arrested in Los Angeles for violating his parole by driving recklessly. He was released after posting bail, but the incident highlighted his frequent interactions with the legal system.
  

5 – SUCCESS EVEN BEHIND BARS

While in prison, Tupac achieved an impressive feat. His album “Me Against the World”, released in 1995, reached number one on the Billboard charts, making it the only album by an artist to achieve this position during their incarceration.

6 – TUPAC AND NOTORIOUS B.I.G

Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) started as friends, but their friendship turned into a public rivalry after Tupac was shot in 1994.

Tupac accused Biggie and his label, Bad Boy Records, of being behind the attack, which further heightened the tension between the East Coast and West Coast rap scenes.

7 – ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING ARTISTS OF ALL TIME

Tupac is among the best-selling rap artists in history, with over 75 million albums sold globally. Records like “All Eyez on Me” and “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory” are considered classics and continue to influence current musicians.

8 – FILMS AND POETRY

In addition to his music career, Tupac also left a deep mark on popular culture. He acted in several films, such as “Juice”, “Poetic Justice” and “Above the Rim”. His poetry, collected in the book “The Rose That Grew from Concrete”, reveals a more sensitive and introspective side of his personality.

9 – HIS MURDER REMAINS UNSOLVED TO THIS DAY

The murder of Tupac Shakur is one of the most notorious unsolved cases in music history. Tupac, an influential rapper and actor, was killed on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 25 years old at the time.

On the night of the murder, Tupac was in a car driven by music producer Suge Knight. They were returning from a boxing match when they were approached by a white car. Someone inside the car fired at Tupac, hitting him multiple times. Tupac was taken to the hospital but died six days later, on September 13, due to complications from his injuries.

The case has generated many theories and speculations over the years. The rivalry between Tupac and rapper Notorious B.I.G., who was also murdered in 1997, is often mentioned as a possible factor. However, to this day, no one has been formally charged or convicted in Tupac’s murder, and the case remains open.

Several books, documentaries, and investigations have addressed the murder, but the truth about what really happened that night remains shrouded in mystery.

10 – RECORDINGS RELEASED AFTER HIS DEATH

Tupac was an extremely prolific artist, having recorded over 300 songs during his lifetime. Many of these recordings were released after his death.

Tupac Shakur was not only one of the most iconic rap artists but also a complex figure who left a lasting impact on popular culture. His career, marked by a prolific musical output and lyrics that addressed deep social and personal issues, revealed a talent that transcended the boundaries of entertainment.

Even after his untimely death, Tupac continues to influence new generations of musicians and inspire debates about his life and legacy.

Tupac Shakur remains a figure that challenges complete understanding, but his impact is undeniable, perpetuating his presence in the global musical and cultural landscape.