How Tupac Shakur Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Tupac Shakur across different fields.

Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was a highly influential American rapper, actor, and poet. Considered one of the greatest rappers ever, he addressed social injustice, political issues, and marginalization of African-Americans in his lyrics, although he was also associated with gangsta rap. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 75 million records sold worldwide. Academics also recognize him as a significant political activist and music artist of the 20th century.

Sections (7)

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

1996: Treach Speaks at Memorial Service

In 1996, Treach was a speaker at a public memorial service for Tupac Shakur, honoring his friend and collaborator.

1997: Founding of the Shakur Family Foundation

In 1997, Tupac's mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation, later renamed the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF), with the mission to support students in enhancing their creative talents.

1997: UC Berkeley Course on Tupac Shakur

In 1997, the University of California, Berkeley, offered a student-led course titled "History 98: Poetry and History of Tupac Shakur", marking academic interest in his work.

1998: Release of Greatest Hits Album

In 1998, Tupac's Greatest Hits album was released and continued to have an impact in subsequent years.

1998: Release of Posthumous Track "Changes"

In 1998, the posthumous track "Changes" was released, eventually being added to the Vatican playlist in 2009.

2000: Greatest Hits Album Returns to Billboard Chart

In 2000, the Greatest Hits album, originally released in 1998, returned to the Billboard 200 chart, reaching No. 129.

2001: Original Consideration for Lead Role in "Baby Boy"

In 2001, John Singleton originally had Tupac Shakur in mind for the lead role in the film "Baby Boy". Ultimately, the role went to Tyrese Gibson, but the set design includes a Shakur mural.

2002: Nas Praises Tupac Beyond Shakespeare

In 2002, Nas said: "I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare."

2002: Induction into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame

In 2002, Tupac Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the genre.

April 2003: Harvard Symposium on Tupac Shakur

In April 2003, Harvard University cosponsored the symposium "All Eyez on Me: Tupac Shakur and the Search for the Modern Folk Hero", analyzing Shakur's influence as an artist and activist.

November 2003: Release of Tupac: Resurrection Documentary

In November 2003, the documentary film "Tupac: Resurrection" was released, exploring Tupac's life and legacy.

2004: Jasmine Guy Writes Afeni Shakur's Biography

In 2004, Jasmine Guy wrote Afeni Shakur's biography, titled "Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary". This contribution highlighted the deep connection between Guy and the Shakur family.

2004: Honoree at the First Hip Hop Honors

In 2004, Tupac Shakur was among the honorees at the first Hip Hop Honors, celebrating his lasting impact.

June 2005: Opening of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts

In June 2005, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) opened the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (TASCA) in Stone Mountain, Georgia, to further its mission of supporting creative talents.

2005: Academy Award Nomination for Tupac: Resurrection

In 2005, "Tupac: Resurrection" was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards, highlighting the film's impact.

2005: Release of Tupac: Live at the House of Blues DVD

In 2005, Death Row released the DVD "Tupac: Live at the House of Blues", featuring his final recorded live performance on July 4, 1996.

2005: "The 7 Day Theory" Ranked Among Hip-Hop's Greatest Albums by MTV

In 2005, MTV.com ranked "The 7 Day Theory" at No. 9 among hip-hop's greatest albums ever, solidifying its status and influence in the genre.

August 2006: Publication of "Tupac Shakur Legacy"

In August 2006, Jamal Joseph's "Tupac Shakur Legacy," an interactive biography, was released, featuring unpublished family photos and handwritten lyrics.

2006: "The 7 Day Theory" Considered a Classic Album

By 2006, "The 7 Day Theory" was considered a classic album. This recognition highlighted its lasting impact and cultural significance.

2006: Jada Pinkett Smith's Donation to Baltimore School for the Arts

In 2006, Jada Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to the Baltimore School for the Arts and named the new theater in Tupac's honor.

2006: Tupac's Ashes Laid to Rest in Soweto

In 2006, on the 10th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's death, his ashes were laid to rest in Soweto, with a memorial service conducted by his mother Afeni in the "birthplace of his ancestors".

2007: AllHipHop Roundtable on Tupac's Impact

In 2007, AllHipHop held a roundtable where Cormega stated that while B.I.G. ran New York, Tupac ran America, highlighting Tupac's broad influence.

2008: Tupac's Estate Earnings

In 2008, Tupac's estate made approximately $15 million, indicating his continued popularity and financial impact after his death.

2009: "Changes" Added to Vatican Playlist

In 2009, the Vatican added "Changes", a 1998 posthumous track, to its online playlist, drawing praise and signifying the song's impact.

June 23, 2010: "Dear Mama" Added to National Recording Registry

On June 23, 2010, the Library of Congress added "Dear Mama" to the National Recording Registry, marking it as the third rap song to receive this honor.

2010: 50 Cent's Appraisal of Tupac in Rolling Stone

In 2010, 50 Cent wrote Rolling Stone magazine's entry on Shakur, appraising him as one of the "100 greatest artists", reflecting Tupac's significant artistic impact.

April 15, 2012: Tupac "Hologram" Performance at Coachella

On April 15, 2012, a Tupac "hologram" (actually a projection) performed with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre at the Coachella Music Festival, performing "Hail Mary" and "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted."

2012: University of Oslo Course on Tupac

In 2012, the Norwegian University of Oslo organized the course "Tupac, hiphop og kulturhistorie (Tupac, hip-hop and cultural history)", highlighting his cultural impact.

2013: Allen Hughes Appraises Shakur's Potential Impact on "Menace II Society"

In 2013, Allen Hughes stated that Tupac Shakur would have outshone the other actors in "Menace II Society" because he was bigger than the movie. This retrospectively acknowledged Shakur's potential impact on the film.

2013: "All Eyez on Me" Biopic in Development

In 2013, the Shakur biopic, All Eyez on Me was in development.

July 2014: "All Eyez on Me" Certified 10x Multi-Platinum

In July 2014, the album "All Eyez on Me" was certified 10x Multi-Platinum. This milestone underscores the album's enduring appeal and impact over the years.

2014: BET on Tupac's Lasting Influence

In 2014, BET highlighted Tupac's profound influence on rap, noting how his multifaceted persona has shaped the perception of rappers and influenced numerous artists.

2014: Broadway Play "Holler If Ya Hear Me"

In 2014, the play "Holler If Ya Hear Me", based on Shakur's lyrics, premiered on Broadway but had a short run.

December 2015: Filming Begins for "All Eyez on Me" Biopic

In December 2015, filming began in Atlanta for the Tupac biopic "All Eyez on Me", which had been in development since 2013.

2015: Grammy Museum Exhibition Dedicated to Tupac

In 2015, the Grammy Museum opened an exhibition dedicated to Tupac Shakur, highlighting his musical legacy and impact.

2015: Closure of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts

In 2015, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (TASCA) in Stone Mountain, Georgia, which was opened in 2005, closed its doors.

April 7, 2017: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On April 7, 2017, Tupac Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, solidifying his legendary status.

June 16, 2017: Release of "All Eyez on Me" Biopic

On June 16, 2017, Tupac's 46th birthday, the biopic "All Eyez on Me" was released, although it received generally negative reviews.

2017: Snoop Dogg calls Tupac "the greatest rapper of all time"

In 2017, Snoop Dogg called Tupac “the greatest rapper of all time” during his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tribute, emphasizing Tupac's lasting influence and impact on the rap industry.

August 2019: Announcement of "Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur"

In August 2019, a docuseries directed by Allen Hughes, "Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur", was announced, focusing on Tupac and his mother.

2020: Kamala Harris calls Tupac "best rapper alive"

In 2020, Kamala Harris called Tupac the "best rapper alive", explaining it as a sentiment among West Coast girls, underscoring his enduring legacy and cultural impact.

2021: Jada Pinkett Smith Honors Tupac's 50th Birthday

In 2021, Jada Pinkett Smith honored what would have been Tupac Shakur's 50th birthday by releasing a never-before-seen poem she had received from him.

2021: Saweetie calls Tupac "the greatest rapper that ever lived"

In 2021, Saweetie told Complex that Tupac was “the greatest rapper that ever lived”, showing the lasting impact and high regard in which Tupac is held in the music industry.

January 2022: Opening of "Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Free" Exhibition

In January 2022, the exhibition "Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Free" opened at The Canvas at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, showcasing his life and work.

April 2022: Handwritten Poems Up for Sale

In April 2022, handwritten poems written by Tupac when he was 11 years old were up for sale for US$300,000 but only sold for $90,000. The poems were for Jamal Joseph and three other Black Panther Party members while they were incarcerated at Leavenworth Prison.

May 16, 2023: Oakland Street Named "Tupac Shakur Way"

On May 16, 2023, the Oakland City Council voted to name a section of MacArthur Boulevard "Tupac Shakur Way", honoring his legacy in the city.

June 7, 2023: Tupac Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

On June 7, 2023, Tupac Shakur received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with his half-sister Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur accepting the award in his honor.