Tupac Amaru Shakur
- Born:
- June 16, 1971, East Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
- Died:
- September 13, 1996, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Rapper, Actor, Poet, Activist
Early Life and Education
- Born Lesane Parish Crooks; legally changed to Tupac Amaru Shakur in 1973.
- Raised in East Harlem and the Bronx, New York City.
- Attended Baltimore School for the Arts, studying acting, poetry, jazz, and ballet.
- Relocated to Marin City, California, in 1988.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his music career as a roadie and dancer for the hip-hop group Digital Underground.
- Released his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now, in 1991.
- Achieved significant mainstream success with subsequent albums, including Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993) and Me Against the World (1995).
- Starred in several films, including Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), and Above the Rim (1994).
- Co-founded the rap group Thug Life.
- Signed with Death Row Records in 1995.
- Released his most commercially successful album, All Eyez on Me, in 1996.
Notable Works
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2Pacalypse Now | Interscope |
| 1993 | Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. | Interscope |
| 1995 | Me Against the World | Interscope |
| 1996 | All Eyez on Me | Death Row/Interscope |
| 1996 | The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory | Death Row/Interscope |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Juice | Bishop |
| 1993 | Poetic Justice | Lucky |
| 1994 | Above the Rim | Birdie |
| 1996 | Bullet | Tank |
| 1997 | Gridlock'd | Ezekiel "Spoon" Whitmore |
Legacy and Impact
Tupac Shakur remains one of the most influential and best-selling rappers of all time. His music addressed social and political issues, including poverty, violence, and racism, and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. While some look at "numero 10 tupac biography" entries, they often miss the breadth of his artistic and social impact.