We were all shocked to read the latest development in Tupac’s murder case because, let’s face it, so many years have passed since then, we think no one had any hopes for some updates. Well, the police showed us otherwise! Here are some unknown or even weird Tupac facts that might have gone under the radar.
1. East Coast guy
He was born in East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, on June 16, 1971. While he is often associated with the West Coast hip-hop scene, due to his later career in Los Angeles and his affiliation with Death Row Records, Tupac’s birthplace is in New York City, which is on the East Coast.
2. Early acting dreams
Tupac Shakur, often known for his rap career, had early aspirations of becoming an actor. In fact, he attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he studied acting, poetry, jazz, and ballet. This formal training laid the foundation for his later success in both music and film.
3. Shakespearean influence
You might be surprised to learn that Tupac was a big fan of William Shakespeare. In his own words: “I love Shakespeare. He wrote some of the rawest stories, man. I mean look at Romeo and Juliet. That’s some serious ghetto s**t.”
4. Poetic origins
Tupac’s poetic talent extended beyond his music. Written between 1989 and 1991, this collection of poetry titled “The Rose That Grew from Concrete” was released posthumously.
5. He started as a backup dancer and MC
Digital Underground, the alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California, was the band of choice. He always credited them with helping him launch his career.
6. He had a few words for Donald Trump
In an MTV interview from 1992 he is quoted as saying: “This world is such a…‘gimme gimme gimme! Everybody back off. If you want to be successful, if you want to be like Trump, gimme gimme gimme, push push push push. Step step step, crush crush crush. That’s how it all is, and it’s like… nobody ever stops.”
7. Tupac and Biggie
The Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) beef is one of the most famous and tragic rivalries in the history of hip-hop. The feud between Tupac and Biggie had its roots in a combination of personal conflicts, miscommunications, and the larger East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry of the 1990s. Tupac, originally from the East Coast, believed that Biggie and his label, Bad Boy Records, had prior knowledge of a 1994 shooting in which Tupac was shot several times.
8. Activist streak
Beyond his musical influence, Tupac was a passionate advocate for social justice. He actively supported organizations like the Black Panther Party and used his platform to address issues of systemic racism and inequality.
9. His best movie
“Juice” is one of Tupac Shakur’s most notable and acclaimed films. He played the role of Bishop, a troubled young man that becomes a coldblooded murderer.
10. One of his most famous quotes
He delivered this goodie in an interview with MTV in 1994: “I’m not saying I’m going to rule the world or I’m going to change the world. But I guarantee I will spark the brain that will change the world. That’s our job – to spark somebody else watching us.”
11. He had a close relationship with Jada Pinkett
Tupac Shakur had a close and enduring friendship with actress Jada Pinkett Smith. Their relationship was strictly platonic, and they considered each other to be like brother and sister. They first met while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts, where they both studied acting. Shakur said of their relationship “Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life.”
12. Drive-by drama
Tupac Shakur’s life took a tragic turn on September 7, 1996, when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas Strip. The attack happened after he and Suge Knight attended the Mike Tyson fight.
13. Lethal gunfire
Tupac didn’t just take one hit; he was peppered with bullets, sustaining multiple gun wounds, twice in the chest, once in the arm, once in the thigh. The sheer violence of the attack left fans in complete shock.
14. Surgical struggle
After the shooting, Tupac was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a lung. It was a desperate attempt to save his life, and he was placed in a medically induced coma for days as the world anxiously awaited news of his recovery.
15. Six-day countdown
Despite the medical team’s efforts, Tupac’s life was cut short when he succumbed to his injuries six days later on September 13, 1996. The shock and sadness that followed are remembered by fans worldwide.
16. East Coast-West Coast rivalry
At the time of his death, the hip-hop world was consumed by the East Coast-West Coast feud. Many speculated that this rivalry played a role in Tupac’s murder, coming with a lot of theories.
17. Digital resurrections
Tupac’s holographic projection at the 2012 Coachella music festival shocked audiences worldwide. He raped Hail Mary” and “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and others. This had fans questioning reality, it was quite the eerie performance.
18. Album from the beyond
In a truly eerie twist, Tupac’s posthumous album “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory” was released under the alias Makaveli. It was recorded and edited in just seven days. Fans think the album foreshadowed his death and fueled conspiracy theories that he faked his own demise.
19. Killer caught?
Duane “Keffe D” Davis was arrested on September 29, 2023. He is currently charged with Tupac’s 1996 murder. His defense? He claims over and over again that Diddy asked him to “take out” Pac. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, this will be huge for everyone involved.
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From his early days as a ballet-dancing poet to his enduring impact on the world of hip-hop, Tupac’s legacy is unmatched. So the next time you blast “California Love” or “Changes,” remember that behind the music, there’s a world of weird Tupac facts you’re aware of.
