Against all odds tupac shakur biography
Tupac Shakur
American rapper (–)
"Tupac" redirects here. Fulfill other uses, see Tupac (disambiguation).
"Makaveli" redirects here. For the Italian philosopher, cloak Machiavelli. For the Tupac album commonly called "Makaveli", see The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
Tupac Amaru Shakur (; born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, – September 13, ), as well known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American doorknocker and actor. He is regarded although one of the greatest and about influential rappers of all time. Academics regard him as one of primacy most influential music artists of character 20th century and a prominent state activist for Black America.[1] In especially to his music career, Shakur further wrote poetry and starred in cinema. He is among the best-selling punishment artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.[2] His lyrical volume has been noted for addressing community injustice, political issues, and the marginalisation of other African-Americans,[3][4] but he was also synonymous with gangsta rap predominant violent lyrics.[5]
Shakur was born in Unusual York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Jaguar Party members. Raised by his progenitrix, Afeni Shakur, he relocated to Port in and to the San Francisco Bay Area in With the unfasten of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in , he became a primary figure in West Coast hip-hop provision his conscious rap and political deduction lyrics.[6][7] Amaru achieved further critical put forward commercial multi-platinum success with his continuation albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z () and Me Against the World ().[8] His Diamond certified album All Eyez on Me (), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned realm introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap.[9] In addition to his music pursuit, Shakur starred roles in Juice (), Poetic Justice (), Above the Rim (), Bullet (), Gridlock'd (), don Gang Related (). Shakur's most famed songs include "California Love," "Changes," "Dear Mama," "Hail Mary," "Keep Ya Purpose Up," "Hit 'Em Up," "Ambitionz az a Ridah," "All Eyez on Me," "Ghetto Gospel," "Do for Love," "So Many Tears," "To Live & Lose one's life in L.A.," "How Do U Compel It," "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted," "Brenda's Got a Baby" and "I Get Around." Alongside his solo vitality, Shakur was part of the division Thug Life and collaborated with artists like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, esoteric Outlawz.
During the later part exercise his career, Shakur was shot quint times in the lobby of simple New York recording studio and versed legal troubles, including incarceration. He served eight months in prison on procreative abuse charges, but was released waiting for an appeal of his conviction remodel [10] Following his release, he sign to Marion "Suge" Knight's label Brusque Row Records and became heavily take part in in the growing East Coast–West Seacoast hip-hop rivalry.[11] On September 7, , Shakur was shot four times by virtue of an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he athletic six days later. Following his butchery, the Notorious B.I.G. was at chief considered a suspect due to their public feud; he was also murdered in another drive-by shooting six months later in March , while trial Los Angeles.[12][13] On September 22, , a peace summit was convened unexpected result Mosque Maryam by Louis Farrakhan renovate response to his assassination.[14]
Shakur's double-length posthumous album Greatest Hits () is companionship of his two releases—and one be paid only nine hip-hop albums—to have antiquated certified Diamond in the United States.[15] Five more albums have been free since Shakur's death, including his rigorously acclaimed posthumous album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory ()[16] covered by his stage name Makaveli, all look up to which have been certified multi-platinum unveil the United States.[17] In , Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Foyer of Fame.[18] In , he was inducted into the Rock and Furl Hall of Fame in his cardinal year of eligibility.[19]Rolling Stone ranked Shakur among the Greatest Artists of Come to blows Time.[20] In , he was awarded a posthumous star on the Feel Walk of Fame.[21] His influence predicament music, activism, songwriting, and other areas of culture has been the subject-matter of academic studies.[22][23]
Early life
Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, , in East Harlem, Manhattan, New Royalty City.[24][25][26][27] While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur.[28][29][30][31] He was christened after Túpac Amaru II, a minor of the last Incan ruler, who was executed in Peru in tail end his revolt against Spanish rule.[32] Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur explained, "I sought him to have the name bad deal revolutionary, indigenous people in the environment. I wanted him to know perform was part of a world urbanity and not just from a neighborhood."[28] Tupac's surname came from Lumumba Shakur, a Sunni Muslim, whom his inactivity married in November Their marriage hide apart when it was discovered delay Lumumba was not Tupac's biological father.[33][34][35]
Shakur had an older stepbrother, Mopreme "Komani" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior.[36]
Panther heritage
Shakur's parents, Afeni Shakur—born Alice Faye Williams overfull North Carolina—and his biological father, William "Billy" Garland, had been active Swarthy Panther Party members in New Royalty in the late s and at s.[37] A month before Shakur's delivery, his mother was tried in Unique York City as part of high-mindedness Panther 21 criminal trial. She was acquitted of over charges.[38][39]
Other family personnel who were involved in the Swart Panthers' Black Liberation Army were blameworthy of serious crimes and imprisoned, inclusive of Shakur's stepfather, Mutulu Shakur, who weary four years as one of position FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Mutulu Shakur was apprehended in and later convicted for a robbery of spick Brinks armored truck, during which fuzz officers and a guard were killed.[40]
Shakur's godfather, Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt, a grand Black Panther, was wrongly convicted interrupt murdering a schoolteacher during a bear up. After he spent 27 years clear prison, his conviction was overturned naughty to the prosecution's having concealed indication that proved his innocence.[41][42]
Shakur's godmother, Assata Shakur, is a former member ship the Black Liberation Army who was convicted in of the first-degree killing of a New Jersey State Cavalryman. Since , she has been vibrate the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists itemize after she escaped prison in [43][44]
Education
In the s, Shakur's mother found found difficult to find work and struggled with drug addiction.[45] In , reward family moved from New York Bring to Baltimore, Maryland.[46] Beginning in what because Shakur was 13, he lived crumble the Pen Lucy neighborhood with cap mother and younger sister at Greenmount Ave.[47] The home was a two-story rowhouse that had been subdivided be converted into two separate rental units; the Shakur family lived on the first floor.[48] After his death, the block was renamed Tupac Shakur Way.[49]
While living occupy Baltimore, Shakur attended eighth grade incensed Roland Park Middle School, then 9th grade at Paul Laurence Dunbar Elate School.[46] He transferred to the Port School for the Arts in integrity tenth grade, where he studied deception, poetry, jazz, and ballet.[50][51] He full in Shakespeare plays—the themes of which he identified in patterns of brood warfare[52]—and as the Mouse King staging The Nutcracker ballet.[40]
At the Baltimore College for the Arts, Shakur befriended performer Jada Pinkett, who became the angle of some of his poems ("Jada" and "The Tears in Cupid's Eyes").[53] With his friend Dana "Mouse" Economist as a beatbox, he won competitions for the school's best rapper.[54] Painstaking for his humor, he was favoured with all crowds of students.[55] Recognized listened to a diverse range appreciated music that included Kate Bush, Urbanity Club, Sinéad O'Connor, and U2.[56]
Upon nearby with the Baltimore Young Communist Matching part USA,[57][58] Shakur dated Mary Baldridge, who was the daughter of the supervisor of the local chapter of high-mindedness Communist Party USA.[59][60][61]
In , Shakur fake to Marin City, California, an poverty-stricken community in the San Francisco Call Area.[62][63] In nearby Mill Valley, closure attended Tamalpais High School,[64] where proceed performed in several theater productions.[citation needed] Shakur did not graduate from tall school, but later earned his GED.[65]
Music career
MC New York
Shakur began recording underneath the stage name MC New Royalty in [66] That year, he began attending the poetry classes of Leila Steinberg, and she soon became fulfil manager.[67][62] Steinberg organized a concert sustenance Shakur and his rap group With an iron hand Dope. Steinberg managed to get Shakur signed by Atron Gregory, manager guide the rap group Digital Underground.[62] Case , Gregory placed him with prestige Underground as a roadie and approval dancer.[62][68]
Digital Underground
See also: Stretch (rapper) tolerate Live Squad
Shakur debuted under the event name 2Pac on Digital Underground, slipup a new record label, Interscope Rolls museum, on the group's January single "Same Song". The song was featured act the soundtrack of the film Nothing but Trouble, starring Dan Aykroyd, Toilet Candy, Chevy Chase, and Demi Moore.[62] The song opened the group's Jan EP titled This Is an Droplet Release,[62] while Shakur appeared in prestige music video.
At the request second Steinberg, Digital Underground co-founder Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright worked with Shakur, Delude Luv and Dize, a DJ, aversion their earliest studio recordings. Dright recalls that Shakur did not work spasm as part of a group, cranium added, "this guy was on unembellished mission. From day one. Maybe settle down knew he wasn't going to remedy around seven years later."[69]
From to , Dright and Digital Underground produced Shakur's earliest work with his crew make fun of the time, Strictly Dope.[70] The recordings were rediscovered in and released primate The Lost Tapes: Circa [71] Afeni Shakur sued to stop the trade of the recordings but the fit was settled in June and rereleased as Beginnings: The Lost Tapes –[71][72]
Shakur's early days with Digital Underground masquerade him acquainted with Randy "Stretch" Traveller, who along with his brother, known as Majesty, and a friend debuted concluded an EP as a rap agree and production team, Live Squad, refurbish Queens, New York.[73] Stretch was featured on a track of the Digital Underground's album Sons of the P. Becoming fast friends, Shakur and Draw out recorded and performed together often.[73]
2Pacalypse Now
Main article: 2Pacalypse Now
Shakur's debut album, 2Pacalypse Now—alluding to the film Apocalypse Now—arrived in November Some prominent rappers—like Nas, Eminem, Game, and Talib Kweli—cite have over as an inspiration.[74] Aside from "If My Homie Calls", the singles "Trapped" and "Brenda's Got a Baby" reasonably depict individual struggles under socioeconomic disadvantage.[75]
U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle said, "There's no reason for a record on the topic of this to be released. It has no place in our society." Tupac, finding himself misunderstood,[52] explained, in part:
I just wanted to rap review things that affected young black men. When I said that, I didn't know that I was gonna truss myself down to just take fulfil the blunts and hits for indicate the young black males, to note down the media's kicking post for youthful black males.[76][77]
2Pacalypse Now was certified Jewels, half a million copies sold. Grandeur album addresses urban Black concerns blunt to remain relevant to the blame on day.[62]
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z
Main article: Sternly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z
Shakur's second album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z, was released extract February [78] A critical and remunerative success, it debuted at No. 24 on the pop albums chart, probity Billboard [79] An overall more inflexible album, it emphasizes Tupac's sociopolitical views, and has a metallic production excellent. The song "Last Wordz" features Make a start Cube, co-writer of N.W.A's "Fuck tha Police", who in his own individual albums had newly gone militantly partisan, and gangsta rapperIce-T, who in June had sparked controversy with his call for Body Count's track "Cop Killer".[78]
In secure vinyl release, side A, tracks 1 to 8, is labeled the "Black Side", while side B, tracks 9 to 16, is the "Dark Side".[citation needed] The album carries the matchless "I Get Around", a party song of praise featuring Digital Underground's Shock G splendid Money-B, which became Shakur's breakthrough, move No. 11 on the pop singles chart, the Billboard Hot [79] Description album also carries the optimistic charity of another hit, "Keep Ya Belief Up", an anthem for women's empowerment.[80] The album was certified Platinum, go-slow a million copies sold. As pay for , among Shakur albums, including posthumous and compilation albums, Strictly 4 Forlorn N.I.G.G.A.Z was 10th in sales ignore about 1,, copies.[81]
Thug Life
In late , Shakur formed the group Thug Discernment with Tyrus "Big Syke" Himes, Diron "Macadoshis" Rivers, his stepbrother Mopreme Shakur, and Walter "Rated R" Burns.[82] Commonly, Thug Life performed live without Tupac.[83]
Thug Life released its only album, Thug Life, Volume I, on October 11, , which is certified Gold. Essential parts carries the single "Pour Out ingenious Little Liquor", produced by Johnny "J" Jackson, who would also produce unwarranted of Shakur's album All Eyez article Me. The track also appears forgery the Above the Rim soundtrack.[84] Claim to gangsta rap being under giant criticism at the time, the album's original version was scrapped, and distinction album redone with mostly new imprints. Still, along with Stretch, Tupac would perform the first planned single, "Out on Bail", which was never unfastened, at the Source Awards.[85]
The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A.
See also: The Amous B.I.G.
In , while visiting Los Angeles, the Notorious B.I.G. asked a community drug dealer to introduce him achieve Shakur and they quickly became associates. The pair would socialize when Shakur went to New York or B.I.G. to Los Angeles.[86] During this time, at his own live shows, Shakur would call B.I.G. onto stage attack rap with him and Stretch.[86] Involved, they recorded the songs "Runnin' proud tha Police" and "House of Pain".
Reportedly, B.I.G. asked Shakur to access him, whereupon Shakur advised him dump Sean Combs would make him first-class star.[86] Yet in the meantime, Shakur's lifestyle was comparatively lavish to B.I.G. who had not yet established himself.[86] Shakur welcomed B.I.G. to join her majesty side group Thug Life, but do something would instead form his own floor group, the Junior M.A.F.I.A., with sovereign Brooklyn friends Lil' Cease and Lil' Kim. Shakur had a falling to blame with B.I.G. after Shakur was pellet at Quad Studios in [87]
Me Counter the World
Main article: Me Against decency World
Shakur's third album, Me Against character World, was released while he was incarcerated in March [88] It report now hailed as his magnum creation, and commonly ranks among the untouchable, most influential rap albums.[88] The volume debuted at No. 1 on rendering Billboard and sold , copies affront its first week, setting a commit fraud record for highest first-week sales ration a solo male rapper.[89][90]
The lead unique, "Dear Mama", was released in Feb with "Old School" as the B-side.[91] It is the album's most creation single, topping the Hot Rap Singles chart, and peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot [9] Divide July, it was certified Platinum.[92] Fight ranked No. 51 on the year-end charts. The second single, "So Go to regularly Tears", was released in June ,[93] reaching No. 6 on the Close Rap Singles chart and No. 44 on Hot [9] The final unique, "Temptations", was released in August [94] It reached No. 68 on depiction Hot , No. 35 on probity Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, jaunt No. 13 on the Hot Thump Singles.[9] Several celebrities showed their crutch for Shakur by appearing in description music video for "Temptations".[95]
Shakur won suitably rap album at the Soul Label Music Awards.[96] In , it hierarchal 4th among his total albums constrict sales, with about 3&#;million copies sell in the U.S.[97]
All Eyez on Me
Main article: All Eyez on Me
While Shakur was imprisoned in , his make somebody be quiet was about to lose her terrace. Shakur had his wife Keisha Journeyman contact Death Row Records founder Suge Knight in Los Angeles.[86] Reportedly, Shakur's mother promptly received $15,[86] After wish August visit to Clinton Correctional Skill in northern New York state, Dub traveled southward to New York Singlemindedness to attend the 2nd Annual Fount Awards ceremony. Meanwhile, an East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry was brewing amidst Death Row and Bad Boy Records.[98] In October , Knight visited Shakur in prison again and posted $&#;million bond.[99] Shakur returned to Los Angeles and joined Death Row with goodness appeal of his December conviction pending.[99]
Shakur's fourth album, All Eyez on Me, arrived on February 13, [] Traffic was rap's first double album—meeting yoke of the three albums due send down Shakur's contract with Death Row—and perforate five singles.[] The album shows Shakur rapping about the gangsta lifestyle, desertion behind his previous political messages. Sound out standout production, the album has go on party tracks and often a untouched tone.[9] Music journalist Kevin Powell eminent that Shakur, once released from put inside, became more aggressive, and "seemed corresponding a completely transformed person".[]
As Shakur's alternate album to hit No. 1 victor both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums tabulate and the pop albums chart, representation Billboard ,[9] it sold , copies in its first week and was it was certified 5× Multi-Platinum fashionable April.[] The singles "How Do U Want It" and "California Love" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Range [] Death Row released Shakur's wound track "Hit 'Em Up" as class non-album B-side to "How Do U Want It". In this venomous onslaught, the proclaimed "Bad Boy killer" threatens violent payback on all things Inexpensive Boy — B.I.G., Sean Combs, Worse M.A.F.I.A., the company — and determination any in the East Coast blow scene, like rap duo Mobb Bottomless and rapper Chino XL, who supposedly had commented against Shakur about class dispute.[]
All Eyez on Me won R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Best at the Soul Train Music Awards.[] At the American Music Awards, Shakur won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.[] The wedding album was certified 9× Multi-Platinum in June ,[] and 10× in July []
Posthumous albums
At the time of his transience bloodshed, a fifth solo album was by then finished, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, under the stage term Makaveli. It had been recorded close to the summer of and released lapse year.[][] The lyrics were written last recorded in three days, and addition took another four days. In , ranked The 7 Day Theory drum No. 9 among hip-hop's greatest albums ever,[] and by a classic album.[] Its singular poignance, through hurt keep from rage, contemplation and vendetta, resonate check on many fans.[]
According to George "Papa G" Pryce, Death Row Records' then controller of public relations, the album was meant to be "underground", and was not intended for release before influence artist was murdered.[][unreliable source?] It verboten at No. 1 on Billboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and on the Billboard ,[] with the second-highest debut-week sale total of any album that year.[] On June 15, , it was certified 4× Multi-Platinum.[]
Later posthumous albums dangle archival productions, these albums are:
Poetry collection
Before and during his hip-hop continuance, Shakur wrote dozens of poems.[][] A number of of the most notable are "Can U C The Pride in Loftiness Panther", "If I fail", "Family Tree", and "The Rose that grew shun the concrete". In Tupac played copperplate character named “Lucky” in the pick up titled Poetic Justice alongside Janet President. Poet and activist Maya Angelou, whom worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the domestic rights movement, wrote the poems old in the film.[][][]
In April , handwritten poems written by Tupac when do something was 11 years old were stick with for sale for US$, but single sold for $90,[] The poems were for Jamal Joseph and three pristine Black Panther Party members while they were incarcerated at Leavenworth Prison. Regular at his young age, Shakur's scribble literary works dealt with themes such as sooty liberation, mass incarceration, race, and vigour. The poems feature a self-portrait firm footing Shakur sleeping, pen in hand, in a world of your own of the Black Panthers being purify from prison, and signed with well-organized heart and the phrase "Tupac Shakur, Future Freedom Fighter".[]
In October, , sexually explicit poems he wrote to Jada Pinkett Smith while in prison went public in the book "Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography."[] Pinkett Smith renowned Shakur's 50th birthday by showing resourcefulness unreleased poem on Instagram called "Lost Soulz."[] According to Rolling Stone novelist Andy Green: “He was also calligraphic poet and activist who became give someone a ring of his era’s most revolutionary voices."[] Tupac had passion for theater president admiration of William Shakespeare. Years name Tupac's death, Nas said "I crash into Tupac beyond Shakespeare."[]
Film career
Shakur's first coat appearance was in the film Nothing but Trouble, a cameo by distinction Digital Underground. In , he asterisked in Juice, in which he plays the fictional Roland Bishop, a pugnacious and haunting individual. Rolling Stone's Cock Travers calls him "the film's overbearing magnetic figure".[]
In , Shakur starred side by side akin Janet Jackson in John Singleton's d'amour film, Poetic Justice.[] Singleton later pinkslipped Shakur from the film Higher Learning because the studio would not sponsor the film following his arrest.[][] Idea the lead role in the last film Baby Boy, a role artificial by Tyrese Gibson, Singleton originally difficult Shakur in mind.[] Ultimately, the at the bottom of the sea design includes a Shakur mural curb the protagonist's bedroom, and the film's score includes Shakur's song "Hail Mary".[]
Director Allen Hughes had cast Shakur despite the fact that Sharif in the film Menace II Society but replaced him once Shakur assaulted him on set due pass on a discrepancy with the script. Nevertheless, in , Hughes appraises that Shakur would have outshone the other shy "because he was bigger than rectitude movie".[]
Shakur played a gangster called Shuttlecock in the film Above the Rim.[] By some accounts, that character difficult been modeled after former New Dynasty drug dealer Jacques "Haitian Jack" Agnant,[] who managed and promoted rappers.[] Shakur was introduced to him at nifty Queens nightclub.[86] Reportedly, B.I.G. advised Shakur to avoid him, but Shakur unperceived the warning.[86] Through Haitian Jack, Shakur met James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond, too a drug dealer who doubled introduce music manager.[]
Soon after Shakur's death, yoke more films starring him were out, Bullet (), Gridlock'd (), and Gang Related ().[][]
Posthumous rumored roles and Star Wars
It was rumored that Shakur was being considered by George Lucas indicate portray Jedi MasterMace Windu in depiction Star Wars prequel films (–). According to former Death Row Records leading engineer Rick Clifford, George Lucas was eyeing Tupac to star in fulfil return to the "Star Wars" roman-fleuve. Clifford talked about how excited Tupac was for the role, "'Pac institute out that I worked for Brian Austin Green, who was on , then he found out I [worked on] some movies, so we every talked about his film career fairy story stuff. [] He was telling transfer that he was supposed to disseminate for George Lucas and them. They wanted him to be a Jedi. I'm serious. Samuel L. [Jackson] got Tupac's part. [Tupac] said [to me], 'Old man, keep your fingers crossed.' He said, 'I've got three films coming up. One of them, I've got to read for George Lucas."[]
The Phantom Menace script had begun essence written in and the eventual lp seeing release in Lucas had willingly Jackson to ask Shakur to dry run but due to Shakur's untimely brusque the role ultimately went to Prophet L. Jackson. The two had hurt on the film Juice together.[]
Personal life
In his interview with Vibe magazine, Shakur listed Jada Pinkett, Jasmine Guy, Treach and Mickey Rourke among the get out who were looking out for him while he was in prison.[] Shakur also mentioned that Madonna was calligraphic supportive friend.[] Madonna later revealed rove they had dated in [][]
Shakur became close friends with Jada Pinkett extensively attending the Baltimore School for grandeur Arts.[] He helped Pinkett land bodyguard first movie role in the hide Menace II Society ().[] In jiggle, Pinkett secured Shakur a guest lead role on the sitcom A Changing World in [][] She appeared efficient his music videos "Keep Ya Attitude Up" and "Temptations".[][95] She also came up with the concept for consummate "California Love" music video and esoteric intended to direct it, but composure herself from the project.[] In , Pinkett contributed $, towards Shakur's instrument as he awaited an appeal autograph his sexual abuse conviction.[][] Pinkett subsequent revealed that she turned down realm marriage proposal while he was inside at Rikers Island in [][][] Unanimously about Pinkett, Shakur stated: "Jada deference my heart. She will be unfocused friend for my whole life. We'll be old together. Jada can narrate me to do anything and she can have it."[] Pinkett said Shakur was "one of my best gathering. He was like a brother. Found was beyond friendship for us. Primacy type of relationship we had, order about only get that once in spick lifetime".[]
After Shakur was shot in , he recuperated at Jasmine Guy's home.[] They had met during his customer appearance on the sitcom A Ridiculous World in [] Guy appeared hem in his music video "Temptations" and subsequent wrote his mother's biography, Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary.[][95]
Shakur befriended Treach when they were both roadies utmost Public Enemy's tour in [] Take action made a cameo in Naughty hard Nature's music video "Uptown Anthem" cover [] Treach collaborated on Shakur's motif "5 Deadly Venomz" and appeared extort the music video for Shakur's "Temptations".[95] Treach was also a speaker maw a public memorial service for Shakur in []
In , during a police officers raid of Shakur's room at Creative York City's Parker Meridian Hotel, dinky videotape was confiscated which showed Shakur having sex with his then-girlfriend Desiree Smith. Officers were attempting to cause their case against Shakur for interpretation alleged sodomy of Ayanna Jackson. Subordinate , Smith insisted she was neither underage nor intoxicated at the frustrate of their tryst.[] In , capital sex tape featuring Shakur receiving voiced articulate sex from a groupie while in reserve and dancing along to one mean his own unreleased songs, was sell to a private collector. The tape, which was filmed in , too features rapper Money B from Digital Underground.[]
Shakur and Mickey Rourke formed spruce up bond while filming the movie Bullet in [] Rourke recalled that Shakur "was there for me during run down very hard times."[]
Shakur had friendships extra other celebrities, including Mike Tyson[]Chuck D,[]Jim Carrey,[] and Alanis Morissette. In Apr , Shakur said that he, Morissette, Snoop Dogg, and Suge Knight were planning to open a restaurant together.[][]
On April 29, , Shakur married government girlfriend Keisha Morris, a pre-law student.[10][] Their marriage was annulled ten months later.[]
In a interview published in The Source, Shakur criticized record producer Quincy Jones for his interracial marriage like actress Peggy Lipton.[] Their daughter Rashida Jones responded with an irate administer letter.[] Shakur later apologized to tiara sister Kidada Jones, whom he began dating in [] Shakur and Engineer attended Men's Fashion Week in Milano and walked the runway together lack a Versace fashion show.[] Jones was at their hotel in Las Vegas when Shakur was shot.[]
Legal issues
Sexual onslaught case, prison sentence, appeal and release
In November , Shakur and two niche men were charged in New Dynasty with sodomizing a woman in Shakur's hotel room. The woman, Ayanna Politician, alleged that after she performed articulated sex on Shakur at the begin dance floor of a Manhattan club, she went to his hotel resist on a later day, when Shakur, record executive Jacques "Haitian Jack" Nonetheless, Shakur's road manager Charles Fuller advocate an unidentified fourth man apprehended explode forced her to perform non-consensual verbal sex on each of them.[][] Shakur was also charged with illegal tenure of a firearm as two instruments of war were found in the hotel room.[] Interviewed on The Arsenio Hall Show, Shakur said he was hurt make certain "a woman would accuse me confess taking something from her", as yes had been raised in a somebody household and surrounded by women ruler whole life.[]
On December 1, , Shakur was acquitted of three counts suffer defeat sodomy and the associated gun levy, but convicted of two counts show evidence of first-degree sexual abuse for "forcibly melting the woman's buttocks" in his bed room.[][52] Jurors have said the need of evidence stymied a sodomy conviction.[] Shakur's lawyer characterized the sentence chimpanzee "out of line" with the uncertain conviction and the setting of venture at $3&#;million as "inhumane". Shakur's accuser later filed a civil suit harm Shakur seeking $10&#;million for punitive redress which was subsequently settled.[5][]
After Shakur locked away been convicted of sexual abuse, Jacques Agnant's case was separated and completed via misdemeanor plea without incarceration.[86][]A.&#;J. Benza reported in New York Daily News Shakur's new disdain for Agnant who Shakur theorized had set him set-up with the case.[86][] Shakur reportedly considered his accuser was connected to at an earlier time had sexual relations with Agnant opinion James "Henchman" Rosemond, who he thoughtful to be behind the Quad Studios shooting.[]
Shakur was unable to post interpretation $3 million bond to keep mortal physically free until sentencing so he admit defeat himself to authorities at the Bellevue Hospital Jail Ward in New Dynasty City on December 23, [] Disagree the time, he was still recuperating from injuries he received on Nov 30, when he was shot fin times and robbed at Quad Studios.[] In January , Shakur was touched to the North Infirmary Command (NIC) on Rikers Island in the Bronx.[] On February 7, , he was sentenced to 18 months to 4+1&#;2 years in prison by a magistrate who decried "an act of pitiless violence against a helpless woman".[][]
In Foot it , Shakur was transferred to Town Correctional Facility in Dannemora.[] While immured, he began reading again, which bankruptcy had been unable to do style his career progressed due to crown marijuana and alcohol habits. Works specified as The Prince by Italian guru Niccolò Machiavelli and The Art pray to War by Chinese military strategist Daystar Tzu sparked Shakur's interest in rationalism, philosophy of war and military strategy.[] On April 29, , Shakur united his girlfriend Keisha Morris; the affection was later annulled.[] While in denounce, Shakur exchanged letters with celebrities specified as Jim Carrey and Tony Danza among others.[][] He was also visited by Al Sharpton, who helped Shakur get released from solitary confinement.[]
By Oct , pending judicial appeal, Shakur was incarcerated in New York.[] On Oct 12, he bonded out of position maximum security Dannemora Clinton Correctional Proficiency in the process of appealing queen conviction,[52] once Suge Knight, CEO fall foul of Death Row Records, arraigned for notice of his $&#;million bond.[65]
shooting necessitate Atlanta
On October 31, , Shakur was arrested in Atlanta for shooting join off-duty police officers, brothers Mark Whitwell and Scott Whitwell.[] The Atlanta guard claimed the shooting occurred after picture brothers were almost struck by deft car carrying Shakur while they were crossing the street with their wives.[] As they argued with the conductor, Shakur's car pulled up and crystal-clear shot the Whitwells in the behind and the abdomen.[][] However, there secondhand goods conflicting accounts that the Whitwells were harassing a black motorist and put into words racial slurs.[][] According to some witnesses, Shakur and his entourage had pink-slipped in self-defense as Mark Whitwell lead at them first.[]
Shakur was charged pertain to two counts of aggravated assault.[] Marker Whitwell was charged with firing pound Shakur's car and later with conception false statements to investigators. Scott Whitwell admitted to possessing a gun do something had taken from a Henry Domain police evidence room.[] Prosecutors ultimately derelict all charges against both parties.[] Groove Whitwell resigned from the force cardinal months after the shooting.[] Both brothers filed civil suits against Shakur; Leading Whitwell's suit was settled out apparent court, while Scott Whitwell's $2&#;million process resulted in a default judgment entered against the rapper's estate in []
Quad Studios shooting
On November 30, , while in New York recording verses for a mixtape of Ron Shadowy, Shakur was repeatedly distracted by empress beeper.[] Music manager James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond, reportedly offered Shakur $7, coinage stop by Quad Studios, in Days Square, that night to record uncut verse for his client Little Shawn.[86][] Shakur was unsure, but agreed round on the session as he needed primacy cash to offset legal costs. Prohibited arrived with Stretch and one person over you two others. In the lobby, yoke men robbed and beat him decay gunpoint; Shakur resisted and was shot.[] Shakur speculated that the shooting locked away been a set-up.[][]
Against medical advice, Shakur checked out of Metropolitan Hospital Heart a few hours after surgery tube secretly went to the house chastisement the actress Jasmine Guy to recuperate.[][] The next day, Shakur arrived available a Manhattan courthouse bandaged in far-out wheelchair to receive the jury's selection for his sexual abuse case.[] Shakur spent the next few weeks organism cared for by his mother explode a private doctor at Guy's home.[] The Fruit of Islam and one-time members of the Black Panther Social gathering stood guard to protect him.[]
Setup accusations involving the Notorious B.I.G.
In a examine with Vibe, Shakur accused Sean Combs,[]Jimmy Henchman,[] and the Notorious B.I.G. - who were at Quad Studios indulgence the time – among others, longawaited setting up or being privy halt the November robbery and shooting. Character accusations were significant to the East–West Coast rivalry in hip-hop; in , months after the robbery, Combs streak B.I.G. released the track "Who Hammer Ya?", which Shakur took as a-okay mockery of his shooting and become skilled at they could be responsible, so be active released a diss song, "Hit 'Em Up", in which he targeted B.I.G., Combs, their record label, Junior M.A.F.I.A., and at the end of "Hit 'Em Up", he mentions rivals Mobb Deep and Chino XL.[][][][][]
In March , Chuck Philips, in the Los Angeles Times, reported on the ambush most important shooting.[] The newspaper later retracted decency article since it relied partially show partiality towards FBI documents later discovered forged, below par by a man convicted of fraud.[] In June , convicted murderer Veracious Isaac, incarcerated in Brooklyn, issued simple confession that he had been call of the gunmen who had robbed and shot Shakur at Henchman's order.[]