Tupac is one of the most esteemed rappers in hip-hop history, which can sometimes overshadow the fact that in the years leading up to his death, he was working on a flourishing acting career. His first starring role was in 1992’s Juice, which had a cast featuring Omar Epps, Samuel L. Jackson, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The latter two have been married since 1980, and in a recent interview, Samuel looked back at the time LaTanya came down on Tupac for swearing.
On Sway In The Morning, Samuel told the story: “My wife was on that film, she was the chubby kid’s [Eric ‘Steel’ Thurman] mom. I guess ‘Pac was walking through a room one day and he was cussin’ somebody out. My wife grabbed him and was like, ‘Young man, you see all these women sitting in here? You can’t be in here cursin’!’ Everybody in the room was like, ‘[shocked gasp].’ And he looked at her and was like, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am.’ […] Everybody in the room was like, ‘Do you know who that was?’ She was like, ‘No! I have no idea who he was, but he shouldn’t have been cursing in front of all these women in this room.’ From that point on, every time he saw her, he was like, ‘Hey mom, how you doin’?’”
In The Art of Dialogue‘s latest interview with Billy Garland, Tupac’s biological father details what he believes is the U.S. government’s involvement in his son’s death.
Garland believes that the death of his son was arranged by the government, who were following him throughout Las Vegas on the night he was killed, noting the infamous fight with Orlando Anderson should have never happened.
Also, in the conversation, Garland acknowledges Keefe D’s admitting to Anderson being the trigger man but wonders if that was a part of his deal.
“The government gave him the deal,” Garland said. “He [2Pac} was being tailed by the government the night of his assassination. He was being tailed by the government at Quad Studio. That’s a known fact. So I don’t know this guy Keefe. Maybe he had to say that to get out of some issue, I don’t know. I just know it looked like a setup to me. Somebody told this guy to stand there with the Death Row thing and it pursued to what we had, but I don’t think he had anything to do with the death of my son.”
Dear Mama, the docuseries on Tupac and Afeni Shakur, has received rave reviews online, but not everyone is fond of the story. In a conversation with The Art of Dialogue, Tupac’s biological father, Billy Garland, stated he was disappointed in the final product and would not have taken part if he had known the true direction.
“After I saw the interview in the documentary, I was slightly disappointed, let’s just say that,” Garland said. “I didn’t like it. It was more about something else, than about 2Pac, if you know what I’m saying. If I knew it was about ‘Dear Mama,’ I might’ve still did it, but I probably wouldn’t have. Not for nothing.”
Garland revealed Allen Hughes was invited to be in the documentary but didn’t know what it was exactly for. He also stated he was hesitant to do interviews because his answers always are pulled out of context. Later in the conversation, Garland would combat the thought that Tupac was bipolar, stating he “resented” the idea.
You can hear it all from Garland below.
In other Dear Mama news, Chance the Rapper thinks it’s the best documentary he ever saw. Check that out here.
YG’s had a few run-ins with the law during his time but his latest appears to be a laughing matter. On Wednesday (June 7), the Compton rapper made his presence felt as Tupac posthumously received his Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star. Although it was a celebration for Tupac and his fans, it seems like police were on YG’s tail. Shortly after the ceremony, the rapper took to Instagram where he revealed authorities pulled over him and his team for unknown reasons.
Regardless, YG seemed to be in good spirits throughout the matter. In the video, YG has a grin from ear to ear as he clowns the officers on duty. “Y’all find what you were lookin’ for? Yeah? No?” he asked with a smile on his face. “Y’all find it? Hell nah, huh? That’s what I told you, son, I’m a gangsta, a real gangsta, with the Bloods,” he added with a chuckle. Ultimately, it doesn’t seem like YG had any issues. One of the officers ignored the rapper’s attempt to gain his attention and the other seemingly wrote a ticket.
YG Attends Tupac’s Hollywood Walk Of Fame Ceremony
Despite the brief encounter with the police, YG ensured that he honored ‘Pac’s legacy. He joined the late rapper’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, who delivered a powerful speech that recognized ‘Pac’s work throughout the city of Los Angeles. “2Pac knew deep down that he was always meant for something great. As his little sister, I had the privilege to watch that greatness unfold,” she began. “Not only paying tribute to his contribution in the music industry but speaks volumes to the lasting impact he’s had on this world.”
She continued, “Today, we’re not just honoring a star on the ground but honoring the world and the passion he put into making his dreams come true. His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today.” Prior to the ceremony, YG expressed his grievances about it taking 25 years to honor Tupac with his own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. “It took them 25 years + to give Tupac a star on Hollywood Blvd? Y’all got him f*ucked all the way up,” he said on Twitter.
Brooklyn is home to endless raps in the rap game, and Maino refuses to be left out of the conversation. Born Jermaine Coleman, the East Coast spitter is best known for his hit records “All The Above” featuring T-Pain, and “Hi-Hater” which peaked at #16 on the Billboard charts upon release in 2009.
However, Maino’s catalog runs much deeper than the mainstream success of these records, bringing nothing but the real when it comes to his music. And while he fell in love with Hip-Hop long before his decade-long stint in prison, it wasn’t until he was behind bars that he actually learned how to rap.
Fast forward to today, Maino is excited as ever to be dropping his highly-anticipated new album K.O.B. 4, which will serve as the last installment in the King of Brooklyn series. Slated to release in July, the project is spearheaded by lead single “Vibe With Me,” which samples Busta Rhymes’ Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.”
The Source caught up with Maino virtually, who was celebrating Taco Tuesdays at The Chelsea House in his hometown of New York City. Read below as we discuss what Hip Hop means to him, why Tupac influenced him so heavily, the new single, and more!
Hip-Hop celebrates 50 years this year. What does Hip Hop mean to you?
It means everything to me. It means opportunity. You know how many brown and black kids, men and women that Hip Hop saved? The opportunity is endless. Coming from the ghetto coming from impoverished neighborhoods, Hip Hop saved us. It gave us the opportunity to be millionaires. Make money, take care of families, travel the world. Do things that we wouldn’t wouldn’t have been able to do without the vehicle of Hip Hop.
Do you remember the moment you fell in love with Hip-Hop?
I fell in love with Hip Hop as a kid, listening to all the groups. It was intoxicating. It went with the sound of the streets. It was natural. You went outside to play on your block, you heard various different music. You heard Eric B & Rakim. You heard KRS-One, you heard him blasting out the speakers. It just felt natural. It was organic.
Is it true you started rapping in prison?
Yeah, I never rapped prior to that. I wasn’t a rapper. I didn’t start rapping until I was in prison, because I wasn’t a rapper.
What was that moment that you were like damn, I’ma start spitting?
That moment for me was listening to other dudes rap, listening to other people rap. Listening on the gate. In prison, you on a tier. You got a man beside you, another man beside you. It’s a tier. SHU: special housing unit. In a box, 23 hours locked in a day. Friday night, dudes just banging on the gate rapping. Damn, this shit sound hard! You know what, I’ma write me a rhyme. That’s how it started, I was influenced.
How were those beginning raps? Were you writing on paper?
Yeah. Because I was in prison, the sort of music I was making was primarily about what I was experiencing. Being away, being in solitude. Feeling so many different feelings, so many different emotions. It was geared towards that. “I’m in the cell feeling like it’s hell!” Shit like that.
Were there artists that you studied while you were behind bars?
Tupac, for sure Tupac. Biggie influenced me, he was the artist I identified most with because he came from my neighborhood. I hadn’t seen an artist that came from my neighborhood, that became a star. That was unfounded at the time. Tupac, because nobody spoke to the black male experience like he did. Where he was able to put the emotions and feelings of being a young n*gga trapped in and out of jail, in and out of the streets. Dealing with confrontations and conflicts with other black males, hustling and getting money. Dealing with the death of your homies in prison, he spoke to that like no other. Still even till this day, nobody speaks to that experience like him.
He got the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today!
Yeah, I thought he would have been had that. He just getting that? I didn’t even think about it. When I heard it, that was a no-brainer a long time ago.
You got a favorite Tupac song?
Too many to name. Too many man. “Str8 Ballin,” if you know what that is. “Death Around the Corner,” so many. “Are U Still Down?” “My Block.” Those are a few off the top of my head.
What was the most important lesson you learned from when you were behind bars?
Never give up, ever. Know the pain is temporary.
You dropped “Vibe With Me.” What led you to sample that Busta Rhymes song?
My man ArizonaSlim, he did that. He was playing beats and I just heard it. At the time, nobody had done it before. I wanted to tap into that. It wasn’t even something that I thought of on my own, to be honest. So I gave him all that credit, ArizonaSlim, for thinking about that. Because prior to what Coi Leray and them did, nobody had thought about that beat before that.
Was it easy to get that clearance from Busta Rhymes?
Yeah, I sent it to him right away, as soon as I did it. He thought it was dope. I wouldn’t have put it out if he didn’t like it.
Best memory from the video shoot?
Doing something that I’ve never done before, which is having fun with the video and doing different things. Putting on the costumes and glasses, trying to channel some of that Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott energy.
Who’s girl’s voice is that that says “oh, I can’t stand Maino”?
Oh, that’s the girl I know. I like that drop. It’s funny.
I know you dropped “Pressure,” shout out to Jim Jones. That video was epic, loved the drum band in NYC.
Lobby! We just doing music. Me and Jim do a lot of music. We did the Lobby Boyz album. We have another Lobby Boyz album. You have a Fit Lit album with me, him, Fabolous, and Dave East. We got a lot of music already sitting there. Already done.
Why are you the King of Brooklyn?
We’re not the only king, we all kings. I’m just one.
Who are the others?
Fabulous is definitely one. Bobby Shmurda is a young king from Brooklyn. You got a lot of kings man, we all kings. You gotta understand what Brooklyn is, Brooklyn is king’s county. Fivio Foreign, we all kings. We all have our own thrones and own castles, our own domain.
King of Brooklyn 4 drops next month in July, you’re ending the series. What can we expect?
Just honest music. You know me man, I just speak from my heart. Straight up talking about talking my shit, that’s it.
In a recent interview, Maino spoke on Tupac’s impact and how he was able to speak to the black male experience like no other. He told Shirley Ju, “He was able to put the feelings and the emotions of being a young n***a trapped, you know, in and out of jail, being in the streets.” “Dealing with confrontations and conflicts with other black males,” he continued, “you know hustling and getting money, dealing with death of your homies and prison.” Maino says, “He spoke to [the black male experience] like no other, still even to this day I don’t think nobody speaks to that experience like him.”
Tupac received additional praise today, when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Various other Tupac supporters have shared how they feel as though he should have received a star sooner. “It took them 25 years + to give Tupac a star on Hollywood Blvd?” YG asked. “Y’all got him f****ed all the way up.” Boosie Badazz added, “Don’t worry he saying F**K YALL from the Grave.” Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said “This iconic artist has continued to be part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come,” ahead of the ceremony.
Maino also recently shared his thoughts on Ja Morant’s behavior. Morant was suspended from the Memphis Grizzlies in May, following an incident where he flashed a gun on Instagram Live. Maino says the behavior has nothing to do with rap, claiming that Morant just needs to learn from his mistakes. He told TMZ, “All of us — as men, as adults — we have responsibilities and decisions to make. That’s like when keeping it real goes all the way wrong. How real do you need to keep it?”
Maino went on to say, “We know you like the music, you come from a culture. But homie, truth be told, you got way more opportunity than the average person. Don’t throw the opportunity away trying to keep up with what’s going on.” “It’s sad but sometimes we gotta learn the hard way,” he added, “What else can you say? You already was in this situation. I’m the last person to try to condemn somebody for making mistakes because I’ve made many, but c’mon, it’s not even about being a role model…you have the opportunity to change lives.”
Dear Mama, the docuseries on Tupac and Afeni Shakur, has received rave reviews online, but not everyone is fond of the story. In a conversation with The Art of Dialogue, Tupac’s biological father, Billy Garland, stated he was disappointed in the final product and would not have taken part if he had known the true direction.
“After I saw the interview in the documentary, I was slightly disappointed, let’s just say that,” Garland said. “I didn’t like it. It was more about something else, than about 2Pac, if you know what I’m saying. If I knew it was about ‘Dear Mama,’ I might’ve still did it, but I probably wouldn’t have. Not for nothing.”
Garland revealed Allen Hughes was invited to be in the documentary but didn’t know what it was exactly for. He also stated he was hesitant to do interviews because his answers always are pulled out of context. Later in the conversation, Garland would combat the thought that Tupac was bipolar, stating he “resented” the idea.
You can hear it all from Garland below.
In other Dear Mama news, Chance the Rapper thinks it’s the best documentary he ever saw. Check that out here.
Tupac Shakur will finally get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. According to Billboard, Tupac‘s star will be unveiled on June 7 and will be awarded in the recording category. Pac’s Star will be at 6212 Hollywood Blvd.
“Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, activist, poet, and revolutionary,” says Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “This iconic artist has continued to be part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come. Surely, as one of L.A.’s own, Tupac’s star will be added to the list of most visited stars.”
The ceremony will occur at 10:30 a.m. PT and stream live here.
Another piece of California will also be named after the Hip-Hop icon.
During a momentous meeting held on May 16, 2023, the Oakland City Council unanimously decided to pay tribute to one of the city’s most iconic and influential figures by renaming a significant stretch of MacArthur Boulevard. The resolution passed by the elected officials commemoratively designates the portion between Grand and Van Buren Ave. as “Tupac Shakur Way,” recognizing the enduring legacy of the legendary rapper and activist.
The initiative honors Tupac Shakur’s remarkable contributions to Oakland and the broader Bay Area community. By retaining the existing street name and adding an honorary designation, the city seeks to celebrate the profound impact of Shakur on the region’s cultural and social fabric. The additional honorary street name will be accompanied by commemorative plaques and/or signs, as a permanent reminder of Shakur’s enduring influence.
In a statement addressing why she brought forward this resolution, Councilmember Carroll Fife says:
“This street renaming reminds us of Tupac Amaru Shakur’s life, legacy and contribution to Oakland, California. With what seemed to be ef ortless skill, this Black Panther Party Cub influenced hearts and minds while highlighting the contradictions of the brand of “American exceptionalism” that “has money for wars but can’t feed the poor”. In addition to his theatrical and literary contributions, we recognize his social commentary; one that is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Tupac will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time by his family and fans; touching countless lives of people all over the world, spanning several decades. I am honored to bring forward this resolution along with LeRoy McCarthy and Heterodoxx Inc. and look forward to a continued partnership with the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation to ensure the Shakur legacy lives on and that we build a world where roses no longer have to grow through concrete because we’ve broken down those obstacles and softened the ground for all beauty to bloom with ease.”
In a statement, The Tupac Shakur Foundation says:
“We want to thank The City of Oakland, Councilmember Carroll Fife and LeRoy McCarthy of Heterodoxx Inc. for all the hard work in bringing the Tupac Shakur Way street naming to life. We hope that this street sign resides at the intersection of Love, Courage, Compassion, Honor and Community. These are important virtues for me, my family and The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. We look forward to peace, healing and building new legacies, here on Tupac Shakur”
Notably, the Tupac Shakur Foundation has generously volunteered to cover the costs associated with this commemorative act. The foundation, established to carry on the artist’s philanthropic endeavors, will bear the financial responsibility for renaming and installing the commemorative signage.
Residents, admirers, and fans of Tupac Shakur can eagerly anticipate an event scheduled for September 2023. The ceremony will include the unveiling and placement of the new signage along MacArthur Boulevard. As the date approaches, the community is encouraged to stay tuned for additional information, ensuring they don’t miss this historic moment.
The decision to rename MacArthur Boulevard to “Tupac Shakur Way” not only pays homage to a beloved local icon but also serves as a testament to the enduring impact of his artistry, activism, and cultural contributions. By honoring Shakur’s memory profoundly, the city of Oakland reinforces its commitment to preserving and celebrating its rich history and diverse heritage.
After FX aired its recent documentary, Dear Mama: The Saga Of Afeni & Tupac Shakur, other musicians are chiming in with their thoughts about the portrayal of the late musician. One of which is Chance The Rapper, who took to Twitter to express his love for the series.
“Did y’all watch the Tupac & Afeni Shakur documentary series yet?” Chance said. “What’s y’all honest thoughts? Cause I would say without exaggeration or hyperbole it’s probably the best documentary I’ve ever seen.”
Did y’all watch the Tupac & Afeni Shakur documentary series yet? What’s y’all honest thoughts? Cause I would say without exaggeration or hyperbole it’s probably the best documentary I’ve ever seen.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) May 27, 2023
And many seemed to agree with his assessment, as the show held a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes earlier this month, according to HipHopDX. The series has five parts and kicked off on April 21, exploring the relationship between Tupac and his mother. It also became the channel’s most-watched unscripted program in its history.
“I was glad to see a documentary that included Afeni’s story,” one fan replied to Chance’s post. “I’ve always felt that Tupac can be difficult to understand unless you know about the person that raised him. And to see how the struggle within the Black Panthers mirrored the struggle within 90s hip hop was incredible.”
“In the final episode they insinuated things about Death Row scheming on Tupac without elaborating which was disingenuous I feel,” another added. “But in whole it was the best Tupac documentary ever made.”
Continue scrolling for some more fan reactions to Chance’s post about the Tupac documentary.
Very good. Thought it’d focus more on their relationship and shine more light on Afeni but regardless they did a good job of telling the story w/o regurgitating too much of what we already knew about Pac and his story
— Kevin (Nuggets fan? Who knows) (@_Kevlar23_) May 27, 2023
I scrolled past it but will have to check it out, appreciate when genuine artists promote other artists’ stories.
Nearly three decades after their death, there are still very few rappers as revered and celebrated as Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Moreover, a lot has been speculated over what they would be up to today had they not lost their lives. During a recent appearance on the Jay Hill Podcast, DJ Drama added his hat into the ring of that conversation. Furthermore, the Gangsta Grillz legend believes that they would be at the same level of today’s most successful and entrepreneurial rap titans. He brought up Dr. Dre, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z as names that the two deceased MCs would rank among.
“When you go back and you listen to Big’s albums or Big’s lyrics, he’s still 20-plus years of saying s**t that’s still impeccable bar-wise,” DJ Drama shared. “‘Pac, the same thing. They both died when they was like 25. Let’s think about where all those that were around them are now. If we think about Dr. Dre, we think about Snoop, we think about Hov, we think about Puff. These are all people that are some of the biggest, most successful and richest people in our culture today.
DJ Drama’s Comments On Biggie & Tupac On The Jay Hill Podcast
“Big and ‘Pac would’ve been right there, if not bigger,” DJ Drama continued. “Let’s really think about it. Look where Snoop and Dre are, look where [Puff] and Hov are. Why would we not think by any means that Big and ‘Pac would not be right up there, billionaires within the culture? They was on their way. Big and ‘Pac wouldn’t have fell off, by no means. They would’ve been up there with the n***as I just named doing amazing things in music and outside of music for sure.”
Of course, Biggie and Tupac’s legacies are so legendary and widespread that they manifest in many ways, whether respectful, culturally impactful, lucrative, or unconventional. On that last category, artificial intelligence renditions featuring Biggie’s voice have been quite controversial lately, for example. While Timbaland made his dream collab as a result, many wonder whether this is the right way to preserve fallen artists’ memories. Regardless, there’s no doubt that no amount of money could ever quantify their impact. For more news and the latest updates on your favorite rap artists of the old and new guards, stick around on HNHH.
