Thirty years after his death, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most influential voices hip-hop has ever produced. The long-running case over his 1996 killing in Las Vegas reached a verdict this summer, when a jury convicted Duane "Keffe D" Davis of murder on 31 August 2026, with sentencing due in October.
But the reason fans still wear his face on their chests is the music: raw, poetic and full of contradictions. This is the story of 2Pac the artist, actor and icon. Find more legends in our Rap & Hip-Hop collection.
Tupac Shakur Fact File
| Full name | Tupac Amaru Shakur (registered at birth as Parish Lesane Crooks) |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 June 1971, East Harlem, New York City |
| Died | 13 September 1996, Las Vegas (aged 25); he would have been 55 today |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Rapper, songwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1989–1996 |
| Genres | West Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap |
| Nicknames | 2Pac, Makaveli |
Career History
| Years | Band/Label | Key albums/singles |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–1991 | Digital Underground | Featured on "Same Song" |
| 1991 | Interscope | 2Pacalypse Now |
| 1993 | Interscope | Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... |
| 1995 | Interscope | Me Against the World |
| 1996 | Death Row / Interscope | All Eyez on Me |
| 1996 | Death Row (as Makaveli) | The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory |
| 1997–2006 | Posthumous releases | R U Still Down?, Greatest Hits, Until the End of Time, Better Dayz |
Tupac released four studio albums in his lifetime. The Don Killuminati came out shortly after his death, followed by a string of posthumous albums.
From Harlem to the West Coast
Born in East Harlem and named after the 18th-century Peruvian revolutionary Túpac Amaru II, Tupac moved around a lot as a child. He studied acting, poetry and dance at the Baltimore School for the Arts before his family settled in Marin City, California.
He got his break as a roadie and dancer with Digital Underground, appearing on their 1991 track "Same Song", before Interscope released his debut solo album, 2Pacalypse Now, the same year.
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Me Against the World
His third album, Me Against the World, was released in March 1995 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 while he was in prison. Its tender tribute to his mother, "Dear Mama", was later added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
It showed his most vulnerable, reflective side.
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All Eyez on Me and Makaveli
After signing with Death Row Records, Tupac released All Eyez on Me in February 1996, widely described as hip-hop's first double album. Driven by "California Love" and "How Do U Want It", it went on to earn Diamond certification in the US.
He was shot in Las Vegas on 7 September 1996 and died six days later. The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, released under the name Makaveli, followed in November.
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Tupac the Actor
Tupac was also a gifted screen actor. He starred in Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993) opposite Janet Jackson, and Above the Rim (1994), with Gridlock'd and Gang Related released after his death in 1997.
Awards
Halls of Fame and Honours
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2017, his first year of eligibility)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (7 June 2023)
- "Dear Mama" added to the National Recording Registry (2010)
Grammy Awards
- Six Grammy nominations, including a posthumous nod for "Changes"
Certifications
- All Eyez on Me: certified Diamond in the US
Away From the Spotlight
Tupac was a keen reader and poet; a collection of his poems was published after his death as The Rose That Grew from Concrete. His mother, Afeni Shakur, ran his estate and set up a foundation in his name to support young people in the arts.
FAQs
How old would Tupac be today?
Tupac was born on 16 June 1971, so he would have been 55. He died on 13 September 1996, aged 25.
What is Tupac's real name?
He is known as Tupac Amaru Shakur. His birth certificate listed him as Parish Lesane Crooks before he was renamed after Túpac Amaru II.
Where was Tupac born?
He was born in East Harlem, New York City, and later lived in Baltimore and California.
How many albums did Tupac release?
Four studio albums in his lifetime, plus The Don Killuminati (as Makaveli) shortly after his death and many posthumous releases.
What films was Tupac in?
Juice, Poetic Justice, Above the Rim, Bullet, Gridlock'd and Gang Related.
Is Tupac in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes. He was inducted in 2017, in his first year of eligibility.
Shop the Tupac Shakur Collection
Our made-to-order Tupac fan designs are printed in the UK on hoodies and T-shirts.
Find more legends in our Rap & Hip-Hop collection and wider Music collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Top Rappers of All Time and Top RnB Singers of All Time.
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