Monday, September 7, marked 24 years since American rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks, was shot multiple times by a gang member in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.
Tupac, stylized 2Pac, died on September 13, 1996 in a Las Vegas hospital. He was 25 years old.
Fans remembered Tupac on the anniversary of his death on social media Monday. Many posted photos and lyrics in tribute of the fallen warrior. He is pictured above with his younger step sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur and god brother, rapper Yaki Kadafi, born Yafeu Akiyele Fula, who was accidentally shot in the head in 1996 at age 19.
Tupac launched his rap career after moving from New York City to San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. He had achieved modest success by the time he released his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991.
Tupac was one of the pioneers of so-called gangsta rap that glorifies gang culture, sexual promiscuity, misogynistic lyrics, drug culture, sexism, and anti-homosexuality.
Gangsta rap would go on to have a negative impact on young Black boys who quoted Tupac’s lyrics that promoted gang violence and degraded women.
Understanding his impact on young Black youth, Tupac took his music in a different direction with the release of Me Against the World in 1995.
It was his third studio album and was considered his most introspective and thought-provoking work.
The album included the hits “So Many Tears”, “Temptations” and “Dear Mama,” in tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur, who died of a heart attack in 2016 at age 69.
Tupac prophesied his own death in the 2nd track off the album, titled “If I Die 2Nite.”
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Going insane, never die, I live eternal, who shall I fear?
Don’t shed a tear for me, ni**a, I ain’t happy here
I hope they bury me and send me to my rest
Headlines reading ‘Murdered to death’, my last breath.
