Major Controversies Surrounding Tupac Shakur: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Tupac Shakur—discover key moments of controversy.

Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was a highly influential American rapper and actor. Considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, he was also a prominent political activist for Black America and a best-selling music artist with over 75 million records sold. Beyond music, Shakur wrote poetry and acted in films. His lyrics addressed social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of African-Americans, though he was also associated with gangsta rap and violent content.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

October 17, 1991: Shakur Files Lawsuit Against Oakland Police for Brutality

On October 17, 1991, Tupac Shakur was stopped by Oakland Police Department officers for jaywalking. Shakur filed a $10 million lawsuit against the officers for police brutality, alleging they choked him, threw him to the ground, and slammed his head on the concrete. The case was settled for about $43,000. It was later revealed that this incident was the onset of Shakur's autoimmune disease alopecia.

June 1992: Controversy with Body Count's "Cop Killer"

In June 1992, Ice-T's band Body Count sparked controversy with their track "Cop Killer", which is relevant because Ice-T, along with Ice Cube, was featured on Tupac's album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z....

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August 22, 1992: Conflict at Marin City Festival

On August 22, 1992, in Marin City, Tupac Shakur performed at a festival. After the performance, a conflict broke out, and Shakur allegedly drew a legally carried Colt Mustang but dropped it. Someone with him then picked it up when it accidentally discharged.

April 5, 1993: Shakur Allegedly Assaults Rapper Chauncey Wynn

On April 5, 1993, Tupac Shakur was charged with felonious assault for allegedly throwing a microphone and swinging a baseball bat at rapper Chauncey Wynn at a concert at Michigan State University.

October 31, 1993: Shakur Arrested in Atlanta for Shooting Police Officers

On October 31, 1993, Tupac Shakur was arrested in Atlanta for shooting two off-duty police officers, brothers Mark Whitwell and Scott Whitwell. The Atlanta police claimed the shooting occurred after the brothers were almost struck by a car carrying Shakur. There are conflicting accounts that the Whitwells were harassing a black motorist and uttered racial slurs. According to some witnesses, Shakur and his entourage had fired in self-defense as Mark Whitwell shot at them first.

November 1993: Shakur Charged with Sodomy and Firearm Possession

In November 1993, Tupac Shakur and two other men were charged in New York with sodomizing Ayanna Jackson in Shakur's hotel room. Shakur was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm as two guns were found in the hotel room.

1993: Assault and Replacement in "Menace II Society"

In 1993, Allen Hughes replaced Tupac Shakur in the film "Menace II Society" after Shakur assaulted him on set.

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1993: Criticism of Quincy Jones and Apology

In 1993, Tupac Shakur criticized record producer Quincy Jones for his interracial marriage. Shakur later apologized to Jones' daughter, Kidada Jones.

1993: Prior Conviction in Los Angeles for Carrying a Concealed Firearm

In 1993, Tupac Shakur had a prior conviction in Los Angeles for carrying a concealed firearm, which made possessing a semiautomatic pistol in 1994 a felony offense.

1993: Shakur Replaced in Menace II Society After Alleged Assault

In 1993, Tupac Shakur was slated to star in the Hughes Brothers' film Menace II Society but was replaced by Vonte Sweet after allegedly assaulting one of the film's directors, Allen Hughes.

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1993: Confiscation of Videotape

In 1993, during a police raid of Tupac Shakur's hotel room in New York City, a videotape was confiscated which showed Shakur having sex with his then-girlfriend Desiree Smith.

September 14, 1994: Shakur Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Assault

On September 14, 1994, Tupac Shakur pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for assaulting rapper Chauncey Wynn in April 1993 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with twenty days suspended, and was required to complete 35 hours of community service.

November 1994: Shakur Accuses Others of Involvement in Robbery and Shooting

In November 1994, Tupac Shakur was robbed and shot at Quad Studios. In a 1995 interview with Vibe, Shakur accused Sean Combs, Jimmy Henchman, and the Notorious B.I.G. – who were at Quad Studios at the time – among others, of setting up or being privy to the November 1994 robbery and shooting. This led to the East–West Coast rivalry in hip-hop.

November 30, 1994: Shakur Robbed and Shot at Quad Studios

On November 30, 1994, while in New York recording verses for a mixtape of Ron G, Tupac Shakur was repeatedly distracted by his beeper. He was offered $7,000 to stop by Quad Studios, where he was robbed and beaten at gunpoint. Shakur resisted and was shot. Shakur speculated that the shooting had been a set-up.

December 1, 1994: Shakur Acquitted of Sodomy, Convicted of Sexual Abuse

On December 1, 1994, Tupac Shakur was acquitted of three counts of sodomy and associated gun charges, but convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse for "forcibly touching the woman's buttocks" in his hotel room. His accuser later filed a civil suit against Shakur seeking $10 million for punitive damages, which was subsequently settled.

1994: Falling out with B.I.G.

In 1994, Tupac Shakur had a falling out with The Notorious B.I.G. after being shot at Quad Studios, which led to a significant rift between them.

1994: Shakur Arrested in Los Angeles for Firearm Possession

In 1994, Tupac Shakur was arrested in Los Angeles after police found a semiautomatic pistol in his car, a felony offense due to a prior conviction in 1993 for carrying a concealed firearm.

1994: Jacques Agnant's Case Separated, Shakur Expresses Disdain

In 1994, after Shakur was convicted of sexual abuse, Jacques Agnant's case was separated and closed via misdemeanor plea without incarceration. Shakur reportedly believed Agnant had set him up with the case and that his accuser was connected to Agnant and James "Henchman" Rosemond.

1994: Ambush and Shooting Investigation

In November 1994, Tupac Shakur was robbed and shot at Quad Studios. In March 2008, Chuck Philips reported on the 1994 ambush and shooting in the Los Angeles Times. In June 2011, Dexter Isaac confessed he had been one of the gunmen who had robbed and shot Shakur at Henchman's order.

1994: Shakur Serves Jail Time for Assaulting Allen Hughes

In early 1994, Tupac Shakur served 15 days in jail after being found guilty of assaulting Allen Hughes, one of the directors of the film Menace II Society.

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1995: Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Shakur

In 1995, Qa'id's mother filed a wrongful death suit against Tupac Shakur, relating to the August 22, 1992, shooting where a bullet matched to Shakur's .38-caliber pistol fatally struck 6-year-old Qa'id Walker-Teal; the suit was settled for about $300,000 to $500,000.

1995: Escalation of East-West Coast Hip Hop Rivalry

In 1995, months after Tupac Shakur's robbery and shooting, Combs and B.I.G. released the track "Who Shot Ya?", which Shakur took as a mockery. Consequently, he released a diss song, "Hit 'Em Up", targeting B.I.G., Combs, their record label, Junior M.A.F.I.A., and rivals Mobb Deep and Chino XL.

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April 4, 1996: Shakur Sentenced to Jail for Release Violation

On April 4, 1996, Tupac Shakur was sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating his release terms and failing to appear for a road cleanup job, but was allowed to remain free awaiting appeal.

September 7, 1996: Shooting in Las Vegas

On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Paradise, Nevada, leading to his death six days later.

September 13, 1996: Tupac Shakur's Death

On September 13, 1996, Tupac Shakur died after being shot on September 7, 1996, in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. His death marked a significant loss to the hip-hop community.

September 22, 1996: Peace summit convened by Louis Farrakhan

On September 22, 1996, a peace summit was convened at Mosque Maryam by Louis Farrakhan in response to Tupac Shakur's assassination, aiming to address the violence and conflicts within the hip-hop community.

March 1997: Murder of Notorious B.I.G.

In March 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered in a drive-by shooting while visiting Los Angeles, six months after Tupac's death, fueling speculation and adding to the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry.

1998: Default Judgment Against Shakur's Estate in Scott Whitwell Lawsuit

In 1998, Scott Whitwell's $2 million lawsuit against Tupac Shakur resulted in a default judgment entered against the rapper's estate.

2002: Chuck Philips's Report on Shakur's Murder

In 2002, investigative journalist Chuck Philips reported in the Los Angeles Times that Anderson, attacked by Suge and Shakur's entourage at the MGM Hotel, had fired the fatal gunshots that resulted in Tupac's death. The article also alleged the involvement of Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace.

March 2008: Report on 1994 Ambush and Shooting

In March 2008, Chuck Philips, in the Los Angeles Times, reported on the 1994 ambush and shooting at Quad Studios. The newspaper later retracted the article since it relied partially on FBI documents later discovered forged.

June 2011: Confession by Dexter Isaac

In June 2011, Dexter Isaac, incarcerated in Brooklyn, confessed that he had been one of the gunmen who robbed and shot Tupac Shakur at Henchman's order in 1994.

2011: FBI Releases Documents on Extortion Scheme

In 2011, via the Freedom of Information Act, the FBI released documents related to its investigation, describing an extortion scheme by the Jewish Defense League that included death threats against Tupac Shakur and other rappers.