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 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.
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.
1996: Release of The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
In 1996, Shakur's critically acclaimed posthumous album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, was released under his stage name Makaveli.
1996: Release of "Bullet"
Shortly after Tupac Shakur's death, the film "Bullet", starring him, was released in 1996.
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.
1997: Shakur Family Foundation founded
In 1997, Tupac Shakur's mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation, later renamed the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF), to provide training and support for students aspiring to enhance their creative talents.
1997: UC Berkeley course on Tupac Shakur
In 1997, the University of California, Berkeley, offered a course titled "History 98: Poetry and History of Tupac Shakur", exploring his life and works from an academic perspective.
1997: Releases of "Gridlock'd" and "Gang Related"
In 1997, two films starring Tupac Shakur, "Gridlock'd" and "Gang Related", were released posthumously.
1998: Release of Greatest Hits Album
In 1998, Tupac Shakur's double-length posthumous album Greatest Hits was released and is one of his two releases to have been certified Diamond in the United States.
June 2001: Settlement and rerelease of the lost tapes album
In June 2001, Afeni Shakur settled a lawsuit regarding the sale of Tupac's earliest recordings, which were then rereleased as "Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988-1991".
2001: Inspiration for "Baby Boy"
In 2001, John Singleton originally had Tupac Shakur in mind for the lead role in the film "Baby Boy." Ultimately, the set design included a Shakur mural in the protagonist's bedroom, and the film's score includes Shakur's song "Hail Mary".
2002: Nas praises Tupac
In 2002, Nas stated that he put Tupac beyond Shakespeare, highlighting Tupac's significant impact and influence.
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 both an artist and an activist.
November 2003: Release of Tupac: Resurrection documentary
In November 2003, the documentary film "Tupac: Resurrection" was released, exploring Shakur's life and legacy.
2003: Release of Tupac: Resurrection documentary
In 2003, the documentary film "Tupac: Resurrection" was released. The film explores Shakur's life, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
2004: Honored at the first Hip Hop Honors
In 2004, Tupac Shakur was among the honorees at the first Hip Hop Honors, celebrating his lasting impact on hip-hop culture.
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, aimed at providing arts and educational programs. The center closed in 2015.
2005: Nomination for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards
In 2005, "Tupac: Resurrection" was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards, highlighting its critical acclaim.
2005: Release of Tupac: Live at the House of Blues DVD
In 2005, Death Row released "Tupac: Live at the House of Blues" on DVD, featuring his final recorded live performance.
2005: "The 7 Day Theory" Ranked Among Hip-Hop's Greatest Albums
In 2005, MTV.com ranked Tupac Shakur's album "The 7 Day Theory" at No. 9 among hip-hop's greatest albums ever.
August 2006: Release of Tupac Shakur Legacy
In August 2006, "Tupac Shakur Legacy", an interactive biography by Jamal Joseph, was released, featuring previously unpublished family photographs and handwritten song lyrics.
2006: "The 7 Day Theory" Recognized as Classic Album
By 2006, Tupac Shakur's album "The 7 Day Theory" was considered a classic album, known for its poignance, hurt, rage, contemplation, and vendetta.
2006: Jada Pinkett Smith donates to Baltimore School for the Arts
In 2006, Jada Pinkett Smith, a close friend and classmate of Tupac Shakur, donated $1 million to their high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and named the new theater in his honor, preserving his memory.
2006: Ashes Laid to Rest in Soweto
In 2006, on the 10th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's passing, his ashes were laid to rest in Soweto. Tupac's mother, Afeni transported them to what she called the "birthplace of his ancestors" and conducted a memorial service. The City of Johannesburg donated land to build a memorial, including a park and facilities for children.
2007: AllHipHop roundtable discussion
In 2007, at an AllHipHop roundtable, New York rappers like Cormega stated that while B.I.G. ran New York, Tupac Shakur ran America, highlighting Shakur's widespread influence.
2008: Tupac's estate earnings
In 2008, Tupac Shakur's estate made approximately $15 million.
2009: Vatican adds Changes to online playlist
In 2009, the Vatican added "Changes", a 1998 posthumous track, to its online playlist, drawing praise and highlighting its cultural significance.
June 23, 2010: Dear Mama added to National Recording Registry
On June 23, 2010, "Dear Mama" was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, becoming the third rap song to receive this honor.
2010: 50 Cent appraises Tupac in Rolling Stone
In 2010, New York rapper 50 Cent wrote Rolling Stone magazine's entry on Shakur at No. 86 among the "100 greatest artists", praising his impact and legacy.
April 15, 2012: Coachella performance with Tupac hologram
On April 15, 2012, at the Coachella Music Festival, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre performed with a Tupac Shakur "hologram" (actually a projection), creating a virtual trio that performed songs like "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 influence on culture.
2013: Hughes' Appraisal of Shakur's Potential Impact
In 2013, Allen Hughes stated that Tupac Shakur would have outshone the other actors in "Menace II Society" due to his larger-than-life presence.
2013: Development of All Eyez on Me biopic
In 2013, a Tupac Shakur biopic, "All Eyez on Me", began development.
July 2014: "All Eyez on Me" Certified 10x Multi-Platinum
In July 2014, Tupac Shakur's album "All Eyez on Me" was certified 10x Multi-Platinum.
2014: BET explains Tupac's influence
In 2014, BET explained how Tupac Shakur's blend of "ladies' man, thug, revolutionary and poet" altered the perception of a rapper and influenced artists like 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Lil Wayne and B.I.G. Murals and statues were erected in his honor worldwide.
2014: Holler If Ya Hear Me play on Broadway
In 2014, the play "Holler If Ya Hear Me", based on Shakur's lyrics, played on Broadway, but had a short run of only six weeks.
December 2015: Filming of All Eyez on Me begins
In December 2015, filming began in Atlanta for the Tupac Shakur biopic, "All Eyez on Me", which had been in development since 2013.
2015: Grammy Museum exhibition dedicated to Shakur
In 2015, the Grammy Museum opened an exhibition dedicated to Tupac Shakur, showcasing his life and contributions to music.
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 June 2005 by the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF), 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, recognizing his significant impact on music and culture.
June 16, 2017: Release of All Eyez on Me biopic
On June 16, 2017, Tupac Shakur'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
In 2017, American rapper Snoop Dogg called Tupac "the greatest rapper of all time" during his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tribute, underscoring Shakur's profound influence and status.
2017: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2017, Tupac Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, solidifying his place as a legendary artist.
August 2019: Announcement of Outlaw docuseries
In August 2019, a docuseries directed by Allen Hughes, titled "Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur", was announced.
2020: Kamala Harris calls Shakur the 'best rapper alive'
In 2020, former California Senator and current Vice-President Kamala Harris called Tupac Shakur the "best rapper alive", explaining it as a common sentiment among West Coast girls, underscoring his enduring impact on culture.
2021: Pinkett Smith honors Shakur's 50th birthday
In 2021, Jada Pinkett Smith honored Tupac Shakur's 50th birthday by releasing a never-before-seen poem she had received from him, showcasing their close bond.
2021: Saweetie calls Tupac the greatest rapper
In 2021, Saweetie told Complex that Tupac was "the greatest rapper that ever lived", reinforcing the perception of Tupac as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop.
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 legacy.
April 2022: Sale of Tupac's Handwritten Poems
In April 2022, handwritten poems written by Tupac Shakur when he was 11 years old were put up for sale for US$300,000, ultimately selling for $90,000. The poems, written for Jamal Joseph and other Black Panther Party members, addressed themes of black liberation and mass incarceration.
May 16, 2023: Oakland street named Tupac Shakur Way
On May 16, 2023, the Oakland City Council voted to name the section of MacArthur Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue "Tupac Shakur Way", honoring the rapper's legacy.
June 7, 2023: Shakur receives a star on the 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.
July 18, 2023: Search Warrant Executed in Shakur's Murder Case
On July 18, 2023, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department executed a search warrant in connection with Tupac Shakur's murder case.
September 29, 2023: Arrest Made in Shakur's Murder Case
On September 29, 2023, the AP reported that Las Vegas Metropolitan Police had arrested Duane "Keefe D" Davis in connection with Tupac Shakur's murder.
November 2, 2023: Duane Davis Pleads Not Guilty
On November 2, 2023, Duane "Keefe D" Davis pleaded not guilty in Las Vegas in connection with Tupac Shakur's murder.
2023: Billboard ranked Tupac at number 4
In 2023, Billboard ranked Tupac at number 4 among the top 50 rappers of all time, recognizing his lasting influence and impact on hip-hop culture.
2023: Posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2023, Tupac Shakur was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, further cementing his legacy.
2023: Release of Sexually Explicit Poems in Biography
In 2023, sexually explicit poems that Tupac Shakur wrote to Jada Pinkett Smith while in prison were made public in the book "Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography."
January 2025: Davis Remains in Prison
As of January 2025, Duane Davis remains in prison in connection with Tupac Shakur's murder.
February 2025: Davis Trial Preparation in Progress
As of February 2025, Duane Davis trial date is set for February 9, 2026.
February 9, 2026: Trial Date Set for Duane Davis
As of February 2025, Duane Davis' trial for Tupac Shakur's murder is set to start on February 9, 2026.
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