Tupac Shakur (1971 – 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper, actor, and activist. Regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time, his music addressed social issues, systemic racism, and urban struggles, making him a voice for marginalized communities. He sold over 75 million records worldwide and left an enduring impact on hip-hop culture.
Born in New York City to Black Panther Party members, Shakur moved to Baltimore in 1984 and later to California, where he found his artistic identity. His debut album, 2Pacalypse Now (1991), was praised for its raw political messages. His follow-up albums, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) and Me Against the World (1995), cemented his status as a top rapper. His 1996 album All Eyez on Me was the first double-length album in hip-hop history and went multi-platinum.
Beyond music, Shakur starred in films such as Juice (1992) and Poetic Justice (1993). His life was marked by legal troubles, including an eight-month prison sentence. Upon release in 1995, he signed with Death Row Records, intensifying the East Coast – West Coast hip-hop rivalry. On September 7, 1996, he was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas and died six days later.
After his death, several posthumous albums, including The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996), became bestsellers. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, he remains a cultural icon, symbolizing both the struggles and resilience of his generation.