Tupac Shakur--Ashton Johnson

What happened to Tupac Shakur? On September 13, 1996, the twenty-one year old from West Coast Compton, California, was reported shot and dead, but many others believe the rap star did not go out so sadly. Several conspiracy theories surround the rappers death until this day:

1.      Tupac faked his death, and fled to Cuba.

2.      His former friend Biggie Smalls set up Tupac Shakur.

3.      His business partner Suge Knight set him up.

Let us examine Tupac Amaru Shakur, the conspiracy theories of his shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the likelihood that the owner of his record label Suge Knight murdered him.

The way you choose to live your life is up to you, and not how many people perceive you as an individual. Individuals had their personal view on Shakur’s life, and what he did with it in a short time span. Shakur was a kid from Oakland, California one of California's toughest neighborhoods which made him who he was. From not having a father figure, dealing in the crack era, and balancing fame through the rap game people loved, or hated one of rap's most talented to pick up the mic. In Tupac Shakur life of 25 years’ people viewed him as a thug, ruthless, but also bright, loving, and smart.

Shakur was a person who spoke for the people, but had a different way of expressing his opinion with a hood preference. The thug persona of Shakur was described from individuals who did not know him quoted "Shakur was part of the generation of rappers who used the raw realities that surrounded them to create a genre which came to be called “gangster rap," being such blunt in his form of rap.” (Rolling). Shakur’s words were so powerful to all of his fans that they felt as if he was a pollution in his own way. As stated in text “Shakur raps that he does not care about the police and other American officials and institutions who oppress African Americans, in "Words of Wisdom" he charges America with the "crime of rape, murder, and assault" for "suppressing and punishing" his people. Additionally, he accuses America of falsifying black history and of falsely imprisoning black males by keeping them "trapped in the projects.”.

 Many people also didn’t like how truthful with people who felt they did no wrong. Quoted by (newsmakers) "It used profane lyrics that glorified drugs and violence and frequently degraded women, and its popularity was enormous. Indeed, those themes were central not only to Shakur's music, but to his life as well.... The behavior of gangster rap's elite seemed inseparable from the lyrics of the songs that made them millionaires." (Rock), but from the outside looking in they never lived the life of a young African American male with no father figure. Shakur only talked about the truth of what he was experienced to at a young age which was dead beat male figure, sexual assault/ abuse of women, family members on crack, and gang violence. Also media, and outsiders viewed Tupac Shakur as a ruthless individual that didn’t show a sign of mercy. Stated in article “allegations of punching out a limo driver and shooting at two off-duty policemen in Atlanta, but he served a ten-day jail sentence for allegedly hitting a competing hip-hopper with a baseball bat. Shakur's troubles continued into 1994, when he served another fifteen-day sentence for hitting filmmaker Allen Hughes. But the most serious charge came from a Brooklyn woman claiming that Shakur and three friends sexually abused her” (Biography).

The things that they didn't understand about the famous rapper was that his mother was a famous Black Panther member which explained where he got his intelligence, and form of thinking from at a young age. Even though Shakur had a nasty, evil, thug persona he could also flip the switch, and be completely opposite. As many people came to believe Tupac was a poet, and actor while building a great friendship with actress Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada saw some of his poems, and quoted “These love poems display a sensitivity and vulnerability that contrasts sharply with the harsh "thug" persona that characterizes the Tupac we experience in his rap songs. Some of these poems are quite accomplished.” (Reeves). Tupac was raised in the Bronx and attended the High School for the Performing Arts in Baltimore, where he began writing and performing, and later in his life played in major films such as “Above the Rim”, “Poetic Justice”, and “Juice”. As stated by Entertainment weekly “Shakur found time to turn in another acclaimed role in Above the Rim led the praise by saluting Shakur as "the most dynamic young actor since Sean Penn.". Also proven in this article which stated “Except for Poetic Justice, a romantic comedy that also starred Janet Jackson, the films seem like they could have been written from Shakur's song lyrics.

The roles that were offered to Shakur all furthered his image as a gangsta rapper, whereas in his life Shakur was known as a reserved, sensitive, and well-learned person” shows Tupac was well rounded in everything he did from rapping, acting, and poetry. Even if the hard tough cover of the thug life showed most of the time in Shakur he had a soft side. Usually he would express his happiness in his songs. As stated “Shakur's second album, contains a song called "Keep Ya Head Up," in which he both criticizes some black men for their misogyny, sexism, and irresponsibility and advises black women to keep their heads up no matter what the situation is. Shakur showed his softer side yet again on Me against the World (1995) with "Dear Mama," a tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur.” (Rolling). As growing of age Tupac saw the lack of equal rights in his African American religion and viewed himself as “the lyrical lunatic, the maniac MC" and asserts that "the most dangerous weapon" is "an educated black man.". In knowing that the government had a different plan for African American people Tupac would not let him shade his light in being a voice for people. “Tupac learned and excelled in the verbal dexterity and exuberances that characterize African American working class speech culture. Tupac learned to believe that racism, economic discrimination and other forms of oppression contributed to the poverty and powerless of working class Blacks.” (Biography). Even though Tupac’s life was short lived his dreams, and aspirations are lived through his fans everyday all around the world.

In the case of the Tupac Amaru Shakur killing, several conspiracy theories have circulated around this young rap star's death. These include: Tupac was killed by Suge Knight, Tupac was murdered by Biggie Smalls, Tupac ran off to Havana, Cuba in the Caribbean. Although these conspiracy theories have been talked about for years, the facts around this case truly prove one theory.

The first conspiracy theory proposed that Marion Hugh Knight Jr. (Suge Knight) set up famous rapper Tupac Shakur. Back when Tupac was incarcerated for shooting, and rape charges Suge Knight bailed Shakur out for an obscenely large amount of money. Knight felt as if Shakur was in debut to him for life. As Tupac Shakur tried to leave Death Row to start his own new recording label, but Knight wouldn’t let that happen unless he was controlling every part of Shakur’s life. For example, "Tupac Shakur was becoming a very outstanding actor. And it came to Suge Knight’s attention that Tupac was going to leave Death Row Records – and the evidence shows you just don’t leave Death Row Records and get away with it," (“5 Enduring Conspiracy Theories about Tupac.”) said LAPD Detective Russell Poole. While looking into the LAPD's involvement with the Death Row Records label head and pattern of police brutality and cover-ups, all of which were chronicled in reports on the LAPD Rampart Scandal. Studies revealed that “Shakur fired Kenner shortly before his death, and was looking to launch his own label, a move which would have barred Knight from the profits of Shakur's work”. Knight was in the car with Shakur on the night of shooting but, police state "if you look at the police report, the shooter's car pulled up and shot at an angle that could really only hit Tupac. No shot really came close to hitting Suge" (“5 Enduring Conspiracy Theories about Tupac.”).

The second conspiracy theory proposed that Christopher George Latore Wallace (Biggie Smalls) set up Tupac Shakur. It all started on the night of November 30, 1994. “Shakur was called to Quad Studios to rap on a song by Uptown Artist Little Shawn, for which he was to be paid $7,000” (“Biggie, Diddy Knew Tupac Would Be Ambushed In 1994, Alleges Los Angeles Times Reporter”). When Pac got to the studio, he was robbed, beaten and shot a reported five times by the assailants. The night of the ambush Biggie Smalls was there, and this is how the West Coast East Coast beef all began. Also the famous pic of Biggie Smalls wife, and Tupac Shakur on the cover of Rolling Stones Magazine also caused more problems between the two rappers. The night of Tupac’s death on the night of September 13th, 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many fans, and from the West Coast had felt that Biggie Smalls was the cause of his death. The feud between Shakur, and Biggie Smalls was one of the most storied in hip-hop history. “In an anonymously-sourced Los Angeles Times investigative piece, former Times reporter Chuck Philips wrote that the Notorious B.I.G. offered the Crips $1 million to kill Shakur. However, after a 2008 Times story by Philips was retracted due to the inclusion of falsified FBI reports, this notion was widely dismissed as well” (“Biggie, Diddy Knew Tupac Would Be Ambushed in 1994, Alleges Los Angeles Times Reporter.”). The article was immediately refuted by Wallace's family and friends and shown to have some holes in his theories. "We are outraged at the false and damaging statements.”Wallace's family said in a statement in 2002….For the record, Wallace was at his home in New Jersey on the night of Tupac Shakur's murder, with friends who will continue to testify for his whereabouts, since he is unable to defend himself. Both men will have no peace as long as stories such as these continue to be written"(“Biggie, Diddy Knew Tupac Would Be Ambushed in 1994, Alleges Los Angeles Times Reporter.”).

The Third conspiracy theory is that after Tupac was shot in Las Vegas, Nevada on the night of September 13th, 1996 he fled to Cuba months after while covering up his death. As many fans, and news sources have many questions: “Why was Tupac not wearing a bulletproof vest (even though he was known to do so on other public outings)? On a normally busy Saturday night in downtown Las Vegas, not one person saw the shooter? Why was the autopsy photo fake? Why did the coroner list Tupac as 6 feet, 215 pounds when in reality he was 5’10 and 168 pounds? The man who was responsible for cremating Tupac retired after doing so, and was never seen again. What did Tupac’s mother mean when she said her son had “chose to leave quietly” (“A Reminder That Tupac Is Still Alive and Living in Cuba.”). Also “Some speculate that Shakur was weary of the bloodshed that accompanied rap beef and longed for an escape, holing up in Cuba with his aunt, Assata Shakur. Assata was a staunch figure within the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army who sought political asylum in Cuba in the early 80s after escaping from a New Jersey prison following a hotly-contested murder conviction” (“5 Enduring Conspiracy Theories about Tupac.”).

Out of all three conspiracy theories one only seems true. Honestly even if Biggie Smalls, and Tupac Shakur had beef, there is no way Smalls would do such a thing. Biggie looked up to Tupac as a mentor, and friend even after Tupac's death. Even family members testified the night of where Biggie Smalls was so that is hard to believe he would do something so ruthless. Also the fleeing to Cuba theory is hard to believe. Truly the most reasonable theory is the first.
After all facts from Suge not allowing Shakur to leave the label, to gunshots only being fired in the direction of Shakur’s angle in the car all add up.

Tupac Shakur remains as one of the best, or probably the best person to ever rap on the mic. The twenty five year old sudden death developed into three main conspiracy theories:

4.      Tupac faked his death, and fled to Cuba.

5.      His former friend Biggie Smalls set up Tupac Shakur.

6.      His business partner Suge Knight set him up.

Although substantial evidence leads to Suge Knight being Tupac Shakur’s killer, the mystery that took place 21 years later on the strip of Las Vegas, Nevada still remains unsolved. 

Work Cited Page

Reeves, Mosi. “8 Ways Tupac Shakur Changed the World.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 13 Sept. 2016, www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/8-ways-tupac-shakur-changed-the-world-w439346.

“Tupac Shakur.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 31 Oct. 2017, www.biography.com/people/tupac-shakur-206528.

“Tupac Shakur.” Rolling Stone, www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/tupac-shakur.

“Tupac Shakur.” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, www.rockhall.com/inductees/tupac-shakur.

“5 Enduring Conspiracy Theories about Tupac.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 13 Sept. 2016, www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/09/13/5-enduring-conspiracy-theories-tupac/90309840/.

“Biggie, Diddy Knew Tupac Would Be Ambushed In 1994, Alleges Los Angeles Times Reporter.” MTV News, 16 Mar. 2008, www.mtv.com/news/1583487/biggie-diddy-knew-tupac-would-be-ambushed-in-1994-alleges-los-angeles-times-reporter/.

“A Reminder That Tupac Is Still Alive and Living in Cuba.” Consequence of Sound, 13 Sept. 2016, consequenceofsound.net/2016/09/a-reminder-that-tupac-is-still-alive-and-living-in-cuba/.