2pac, also known as Tupac Shakur, was one of the most influential and controversial rap artists of all time. His music, which spanned genres such as hip hop, gangsta rap, and R&B, touched on topics such as social injustice, racism, violence, and personal struggles. He sold over 75 million records worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

2pac was born on June 16, 1971 in Harlem, New York. His mother, Afeni Shakur, was a member of the Black Panther Party and a political activist. His father, Billy Garland, was also a Panther but had little involvement in his life. 2pac grew up in poverty and moved around frequently with his family. He attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he studied acting, poetry, and ballet. He also began rapping and performing with a group called Born Busy.

In 1988, 2pac moved to Oakland, California with his mother and sister. He joined a rap group called Digital Underground as a dancer and roadie. He made his debut on their album This Is an EP Release in 1991. Later that year, he released his own solo album, 2Pacalypse Now, which was praised for its social commentary and political awareness. However, it also drew criticism from some politicians and law enforcement officials who accused him of inciting violence and promoting drug use.

In 1993, 2pac released his second album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., which was more commercially successful than his debut. It featured the hit singles “I Get Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up”. The same year, he also starred in the film Poetic Justice alongside Janet Jackson. However, he also faced legal troubles and controversies. He was arrested for assaulting a former employer who allegedly owed him money. He was also accused of sexual assault by a woman he met at a nightclub. He denied the charges but was convicted of sexual abuse in 1994 and sentenced to one-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years in prison.

In 1995, while serving his sentence, 2pac released his third album, Me Against the World, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It was hailed as his best work by critics and fans alike. It featured the hit singles “Dear Mama” and “So Many Tears”. It also reflected his personal turmoil and vulnerability. He dedicated the album to his mother, who was struggling with drug addiction at the time.

In October 1995, 2pac was released from prison after serving nine months. He signed with Death Row Records, a label run by Suge Knight, who had paid his bail. He immediately began working on his fourth album, All Eyez on Me, which was released in February 1996. It was the first double album in rap history and sold over five million copies in its first week. It featured guest appearances from artists such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, and The Outlawz. It also spawned the hit singles “California Love”, “How Do U Want It”, “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted”, and “I Ain’t Mad at Cha”.

However, 2pac’s life was also marked by violence and conflict. He was involved in a feud with fellow rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who he accused of being behind a shooting that wounded him in 1994. He also dissed him and other East Coast rappers on songs such as “Hit ‘Em Up” and “Bomb First”. He was also targeted by rival gangs and enemies who wanted to harm him or rob him of his jewelry.

On September 7, 1996, 2pac was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas after attending a Mike Tyson fight with Suge Knight. He was taken to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where he underwent several surgeries and was placed on life support. He died six days later from respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. He was only 25 years old.

2pac’s death shocked the world and sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans and fellow artists. His fifth album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, which he had completed before his death under the alias Makaveli, was released two months later.