Tupac Shakur's life supposedly ended in September of 1996, a gangster who died a gangster's death, the victim of a drive-by shooting.
But in the years since, fans and friends of the rapper/actor have kept rumors alive that the star might not have died at the hands of an anonymous gunman that warm September night. It's here, at the supposed end of Shakur's life, where our journey begins.
The first album after Tupac's "death" was released in November of 1996: Makaveli: Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. The title aroused some curious glances from those who knew Shakur. The first part of the title refers to Niccol Machiavelli, an old-school Italian philosopher who believed the faking one's own death was a sure way to foil his enemies. Machiavelli's two most famous books, Discorsi dopra la prima deca di Tito Livio (Life With Tito) and Il Principe (Ill Communication) were both written well after his death. Some wonder if Tupac's reference wasn't a signal to the world that things were not as they seemed.
This is perhaps mere paranoia, as this album was obviously recorded while Tupac was "still" alive. But then, one year later, R U Still Down? is released in stores (November of '97). This was a full 14 months after the performer's death, and Tupac appeared in three videos in support of the album. When questioned about this, Tupac's manager Robert Bloomenstein said, "Tupac was a forward-thinking man. His performances in those videos were shot more than two months before his unfortunate 'death,' and in no way should indicate that Tupac is still alive."
Mr. Bloomenstein's words weren't enough to keep the rumors from spreading, however, especially after November of 1998. That's when Tupac released 2pac's Greatest, a greatest hits compilation that included six new tracks. Record company executives claimed that these tracks were also recorded years before; yet this is contradicted by the timeliness of the lyrics. Tupac makes references to the film Armageddon in one track and in another he congratulates the Denver Broncos on winning the Super Bowl - both events taking place well after Shakur was supposedly in the grave. Again, rumors of a massive hoax emerged. Bloomenstein again dismissed the talk as nothing more than rumor mongering.
"This is nothing more than rumor mongering," said Bloomberg. "Tupac was a hard-working, busy musician and the continued release of new material should in no way indicate that Tupac is actually alive and living in South America under the assumed name of Jamal Millwood."
The next few years turned out to be the most prolithic of Tupac's recording career. Still I Rise (with Outlawz) hit the scene in December of 1999. The "Lost" Tapes: Circa 1989 appeared in April of 2000 and The Rose that Grew from Concrete came in November of that same year. Tupac recorded tracks for Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000, a compilation of all of the artists Suge Knight claimed to have killed. He also performed live for an album called Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap: The Tunnel. New Tupac tracks then turned up ..block Compilation: Face Off II and Too Gangsta for Radio, before an album of all-new Tupac tracks, Until the End of Time, appeared in 2001.
"I simply wish the public could let Mr. Shakur rest in peace," said Bloomenstein. "Mr. Shakur has actively denied all accusations about still being alive, and he will continue to do so until the day of his, uh... nevermind."
When the album Better Dayz appeared in November of 2002, many music critics noted that Tupac had released more albums since his death (seven) than many of the nation's top living artists.
When that fact is coupled with the references to the World Trade Center attack in one track of Better Dayz plus the curious title of the B-side single Empty Coffin, rumors again were rampant. Is it merely the product of a rabid fan base that cannot let go of their beloved hero?
One player in this drama who is not speaking out is Tupac himself. Rumors insist that Tupac will be headlining shows in Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis in the next few weeks. Shakur can also be seen starring in the new thriller Streets on Fire with Keanu Reeves this summer and will allegedly host Saturday Night Live in October of this year.
Add that to the CNN story in Spring of 2005 which clearly stated Tupac was alive...
...and the fact that Tupac's name is misspelled on his tombstone...
...and the case becomes more than a curiosity.
Will we ever know the answer? I doubt it. In six weeks Tupac Shakur is releasing his eighth posthumous album, titled Death Faker. Some fans say the title contains a hidden message which could be taken to mean that Tupac didn't really die on that September night nine years ago. Some also claim that certain tracks, such as Still Breathin' and I'm not dead, motherfuckers contain hints about the star's supposed passing.
What can it mean?
But even if Tupac's life is over, our search for the truth cannot be. And there are millions of fans who will not stop until they have it. To ilona c.It was 12 bullets and Suge Night was in the car with him.How can twelve bullets all go to one man and only one graze Suge Night?I think they both planned it just to make more money.2pac talked about getting out of the spotlight,and what better way than to fake your death? No, I think that he died in September of 1996.
RIP Tupac Shakur AMEN!! SEARCH WILL CONTINUE!! dude he's dead, D>E>A>D dead, seriously!! he set it all up so that i looked as though he was alive. he recorded so much crap before he died for that reason we will never know but its good to have hope Man, I just saw Tupac at Wal Mart, of course he isnt dead. thats to much stuff to read, but he has faked his death once before, and plus some people claim elvis aint dead the turth sucks i know because i'm the one in 2pac's house right next to him eaing pizza He's dead. Get over it and move on. Sorry that I didn't read all that but Tupac said long before he died that he was coming back and yes I believe he can and will some day of course he's alive!!
i mean come on, its 2pac..
lol 2Pac is awesome. His music is still great. He had so much destined for him. He was such a smart guy that he new there was high chance he was gona be killed and he virtually predicted it. Alot of rappers are fixated on death.
I think he would of been an extremely powerful politician and that is why he was killed by the government. with the help of computer programs, you can regenerate someone's voice or a video of someone else, but i doubt they did that for the music video's. but they probably did for the album. but if you have your own reasons for believing he's still alive, go ahead and believe. i'm not a 2pac fan so i'm not to judge. but i'm a nirvana fan and some ppl say kurt kobain didn't commit suicide and that he was actualy murdered, which is pretty stupid since there was a suicide note with his writing beside his dead body Thats OSM!!!!!!!!! =D My ex always said, "Tupac is still alive!!! Im black!!!! i shuld know!!!!" he was hilarious! ummm he's dead, gunned down with a whole bunch of his mates, theres no way the man survived like 30 odd bullets to the chest and head. 1991
2pac & Stretch 1st meet
November 30th 1994
2pac shot several times while Stretch is not in NYC at the bottum of a studio where they were to meet B.I.G & diddy. 2pac suspcect B.I.G Diddy & Stretch to be involved in the shooting and falls out with them.
November 30th 1995
Stretch is murdered exactly 1 year after 2pac was shot in NYC.
September 13th 1996
2pac dies from gunshot wounds in Las Vegas.
March 7th 1997
B.I.G is murdered in LA.
November 24th 1998
2pac's album greatest hits is released which includes the track called 'God bless the dead'. In the track 2pac positively raps about B.I.Gs death while Stretch pays tribute to B.I.G. Some say it was recored in 1993. 2pac falls out with B.I.G & Stretch as he suspected them of the 1994 shooting. So why would 2pac rap about B.I.Gs death in 1993 if there still friends Or after 1994 shooting y would Stretch & 2pac be on the same track talking about B.I.G.
Cant be edited because they both say God bless the dead in the track and Tupac states 'Yo Stretch bill' & Stretch begins to rap. Or why would one copy ones lyrics if not friends or when they were why would B.I.G be talked about in the track. Some try say its another B.I.G but they say BIG & Biggie Smalls either way this would still basically be about B.I.G. I do believe they are all dead but how was this track possible or could he be alive? Who knows. he probably is but dam you dont know anithing about me you cant tell me i was an accident im a fan and everyone tells me that i just wanted to know peoples opinions wat gives you a right to say that | 