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Tupac Shakur’s Legacy Lives On 15 Years After Death

At age 25, the rapper succumbed to gunshot wounds 15 years ago today.

There will never be another Tupac Shakur. Who knew that back in 1991 after he made his musical debut with 2Pacalypse Now that the saggy jean-wearing, wide-eyed MC who rapped about the fictional teenaged Brenda and her baby would grow to be one of the most revered figures in modern American history? On Tuesday (September 13), the 15th anniversary of the day he died at age 25, it is clear that Tupac has transcended hip-hop, held by his generation in the same regard as inspirational musical figures like Bob Marley and John Lennon.

Tupac’s 1996 shooting and death was the final act in a life often overshadowed by drama and controversy. On September 7, 1996, after attending a Mike Tyson heavyweight championship fight in Las Vegas (and then getting into a fight himself afterwards), the rap star was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting. It wasn’t the first time the enigmatic street poet came under fire. On November 30, 1994, Shakur was shot five times and, like a mythical urban superhero, checked himself out of the hospital against the doctor’s orders, living to tell his tales through rap.

Through his music, storied acting career and overall public persona, Tupac Shakur had proved resilient, so his fans held hope that he would survive the 1996 attack that left him hospitalized for six days. But this time would be different. On Friday September 13, 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur died due to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Authorities have yet to find his killer.

Born to two Black Panthers, Tupac understood poverty and black struggle, and he wasn’t afraid to express it through his music. As intelligent, profound and articulate as he was in song, ‘Pac also remained relatable, controversial and contradictory. So while tracks like “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Dear Mama” were made to uplift, fiery anthems like “Hit ‘Em Up,” “Ambitionz Az a Ridah” and “Against All Odds” stood as chest-pounding, testosterone-filled thug anthems. Other hits like “I Get Around,” “How Do U Want It” and “Toss It Up” celebrated Tupac’s flirtatious side.

A double-threat, ‘Pac went on to conquer Hollywood as well, beginning with a brief appearance in 1991′s “Nothing But Trouble,” starring Chevy Chase and Demi Moore. It was his 1992 role in the movie “Juice,” however, that certified him a star. Playing the maniacal and villainous Bishop, ‘Pac put his Thug Life persona on full display on the silver screen. He went on to land roles in films like “Poetic Justice” with Janet Jackson, “Above the Rim” and “Bullet,” alongside Mickey Rourke.

In February 1995, the rapper/actor began serving a prison sentence at Clinton Correctional Facility in New York after he was sentenced on a sexual abuse charge in a rape case he faced the previous year. When he released his third solo album, Me Against the World, a month later, ‘Pac became the first artist to score a #1 album on the Billboard 200 albums chart from behind bars.

Later that year, Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight posted bail pending Tupac’s appeal and signed the rapper to his label, where he went on to release his first double LP All Eyez on Me and, under the alias Makaveli, his The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (which came out months after his death). While he was creating what many agree was the best music of his career, this period in ‘Pac’s life was marked by the feud he ignited with the Notorious B.I.G. and Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. B.I.G. was gunned down six months after Shakur, on March 9, 1997. While many speak of the two rap deaths in the same regard, there is no concrete evidence to link the two. B.I.G.’s murder is also unsolved.

After his death, Tupac’s legacy lives, particularly with the eight posthumous albums that have been released, including a double-disc greatest hits collection. He has been immortalized in film, books and even college courses, as well as through the works of musicians who have come after him. Traces of ‘Pac can be found in nearly almost every rapper from 50 Cent to T.I. Jay-Z, Eminem, Fabolous and Cam’ron have all sampled from Shakur, and non-rap artists like Justin Bieber have claimed to be fans.

In his death he has remained firmly rooted as a hip-hop legend, but at the same time his legend has surpassed musical genre. Tupac Shakur was more than a rapper or poet or a thespian; he is a motivator, an inspiration and an American classic — even in death.

C/2 THOMPSON J.H

3050664

5Flt. 96 Intake

15 I.T.W.  R.A.F.

Bridlington

East Yorkshire

Monday.

Dear Mom and Kids,

“I received your (friday) letter today. I’ve already answered the one that came with the second parcel, I hope you got it OK. I did not see the M.O. about my eyes as they had cleaned up when I woke next day.

I had two letters the other day, one from Aunt Em and the other from Unc’ Bill Beddard. The letter from Aunt Em & Co enclosed a 5/- Postal Order (very tasty!) and Uncle Bill’s had one in for 2/-! They came just right! I’m going to answer Aunt Em’s after this but I’m in a fix about Uncle Bill as I can’t find his letter. When you write again will you send their address on as I must thank them for the ‘dibs’. By the way, please don’t go to any trouble or expense for a parcel for me, they are very welcome but I know how things are at home. About that allowance, if it comes as you want me to withdraw the 5/-, I can send it to you by the post.

Please don’t worry about me when I say I’m going on or have been to the range as the slip that chap made last week* (*see previous letter) was probably 1 in a million. You see he put six bullets in the gun and only fired five and when he handed it to me to unload the sixth was up the ‘spout’.

Now I’m thinking of it don’t bother about me and washin’, they let us send some things to the Laundry each week and any other oddments which need it we wash ourselves. About socks, up to now I’ve had no darning to do on my ‘issue’ but that will come! 

We went on guard again last night. I was put on guard with the usual sub-machine gun and truncheon, at Wing H.Q. After the supper man had gone, the Corporal of the guard said I could ‘oppit if I liked!! Oh boy, what a life!

By the way (once again) wish ‘our kid’ the best for me when he starts work. Was glad to see that Freda had heard from Norman it must be a great relief to her to write to him. Also thank her for her kind remembrance of the young ex-serf!

That picture you wrote of was round here last week but I never saw it worse luck. ‘Financial straits’!

Let me know how Leo Terry gets on. I see Roma isn’t wasting much time! I’ve first realised that I have never written to Aunt Phyll. The trouble is that I’ve so many to write to that I don’t know whether so and so’s had a letter from me or not half of the time. I do hope she will excuse the delay.

Those pyjamas by the way are very welcome at night, especially when we’ve no fire.

Now for the bit of good news! I’ve saved it to the end of my letter on purpose. I may get as much as 14 days leave from here when my six weeks is up! The officer said that it will be at least 5 days so keep your fingers crossed! When this course is finished we go to an ‘Air Gunnery School’ one of which there happens to be at Bridgenorth, about 30 miles from Brum*! I only hope that they send me there.

That’s all for now, so Cheerio,

Love to you all

Joe. xxxx

PS. May also send a group photo later on, with 3 or 4 pals on too.

PPS. Haven’t got the first yet!.. a bit more:- Thanks for the stamps, Post Offices are closed when we finish each day and they only allow 2 each at NAAFI”