#VitalFactz: Happy Birthday - Tupac Shakur
Happy Birthday Tupac Amaru Shakur. Born Lesane Parish Crooks June 16, 1971. Shakur, an East Harlem native got his first break in Hip Hop as a member of the Oakland, California based group Digital Underground. In 1991 he released his debut solo album 2Pacalypse Now. This album was certified Gold & included the singles Brenda's Got A Baby & If My Homie Calls. In 1992 he made his acting debut in the movie Juice. This role made him famous as well as notorious. You loved him because he played his part so good & hated him because he played his role too good. In 1993 he released his follow-up album Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.Z..This album eventually went Platinum & included the singles I Get Around & Keep Ya Head Up. Later on that year he would star in his second film Poetic Justice alongside Janet Jackson. In 1994 Tupac would star in his third movie Above The Rim. The soundtrack for this movie would be the platform for (Death Row head) Suge Knight's infamous "Come to Death Row" speech at the 1995 Source Awards as this Soundtrack got an award of Best Soundtrack. In March of 1995, Tupac's third album was released. Me Against The World was certified Double Platinum & peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hot @00 Albums Chart as well as well as The R&B Albums Chart. Unfortunately, Tupac was unable to enjoy the fruits of his labor as he was incarcerated for a rape conviction 1 month before the albums release. Pac would do 10 months in jail before his release thanks to Suge Knight. He then signed on to Death Row. For the next couple of months Pac practically lived in the studio. In February of '96 Pac released his highly anticipated 4th album All Eyez On Me. This album was certified Diamond & had the same chart success as his previous album. It featured the Dr. Dre produced California Love, 2 Of America's Most Wanted and How Do U Want It. Later in 1996 he began work on his 5th album which took only 7 days total to complete, 3 days to record & 4 days to mix. The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory was scheduled for release in March of 1997. Sadly the album was pushed up to be released in November of '96 due to the untimely demise of Shakur. This was the result of a shooting in Las Vegas on September 6th. Tupac had survived a previous shooting which took place in New York City while on his way to Quadrasonic Studios. This album sold over 4 Million copies & had the same chart success as the previous 2 albums & would be the only album released under the name Makaveli. It featured the singles Toss It Up, To Live & Die In L.A. & Hail Mary. His next 4 posthumous releases have all gone Platinum & Multi-Platinum. Tupac was inducted (& rightfully so) into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2016. Tupac Shakur will forever be remembered as one of the most gifted & influential rappers in the game & his legacy cannot be matched.
