Tupac's immaturity and "tough guy" demeanor is ultimately what cost him his life. He lived as if there was no tomorrow and affirmed his death in his lyrics. He was actually too smart to be a "thug" but he wore the persona just a little too well and it lead directly to his demise.
His brilliance behind the mic coupled with his onstage persona made him a popular figure not only in the African American community but his skills were on the verge of widespread crossover appeal.
On September 7, 1996 Tupac Shakur (accompanied by Marion "Suge" Knight, who was driving the car) after attending a Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, was shot several times while sitting on the passenger side of the vehicle. Knight suffered minor wounds and would be released from the hospital later that morning.
Friday, September 13, 1996 at 4.03am, at the age of 25, Tupac Shakur succumbed to his wounds and passed away (See time-line of events).
Known by his stage names, 2Pac, 'Pac' or 'Makaveli," Shakur was an accomplished rapper and actor. By 2007, his estate had sold over 75 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. In the United States alone he sold over 37.5 million records.
Regardless of how you may have felt about Tupac he was a lively spirit and a poet who just could not get the rhythm in the short time he spent on this earth. The writer was, and remains, a big fan. This article is not meant to slander or disparage his ephemeral, very successful, tragic life, it's simply the author's tribute to a hip hop legend!
The metaphorical expression, "Live by the sword, die by the sword" means that if you live your life in a certain way the lifestyle will ultimately affect your destiny. There is no better example than the life of Tupac Shakur.
His passing, along with the death of another popular rapper, Biggie Smalls, served as a wake-up call to the rap and hip-hop communities. Because of this, neither death has been in vain, even though the killers of the two superstar rappers have not been brought to justice. Many believe that both Shakur and Smalls murderers have long since met their fate. However, neither case has been or will ever be solved.
At the time of Pac's demise there was an ongoing, absurd, beef between east and west coast rappers. Losing two of the most popular rappers of all time quietly ended the hostility between rival rappers. The two sects were not "buddy-buddy," but at least they had the mental wherewithal to understand how foolish and deadly their actions could become.
Next time you hear someone speak of Pac in a negative light, for example, "what a wasted life" or something to that effect. Politely correct them and suggest the fact that he paved the way for the monumental success of rappers turned moguls, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Ice Cube, Eminem, Snoop, Jay Z, Nelly, and many more. It's almost as if Pac sacrificed his life for the success of the rap industry. Of course he had no idea his life would have such a profound affect, nor was he attempting to leave such a legacy. Or did he?
Did Makaveli clearly see his early exit from this life? He surely talked about it in many of his songs. He also spent extra hours in the studio recording myriad songs that were not released while he lived. He recorded the plethora of records that you hear today primarily because he believed he would not be around very long.
The most successful hip-hop artist of all time, Tupac Shakur has just finished shooting his latest video in Los Angeles. The ultimate gangster-rapper, Tupac says he will one day go out in a blaze of glory. In 24 hours, his prophecy will come true.
Although reluctant about going to Las Vegas to play a gig, Tupac eventually relents, and enjoys some high stakes gambling before attending a heavyweight prizefight featuring his friend, Mike Tyson. Pumped up by Tyson's victory, Tupac is himself involved in a violent brawl, and heads back to his hotel to freshen up.
When he finally arrives at the club for his own performance, a white Cadillac pulls up and a gunman fires a heavy round of bullets at the rapper's car. Mortally wounded with a punctured lung, 25-year-old Tupac Shakur transitions six days later in a Vegas hospital.
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