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.
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.”
From July 1998. Is that him?
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 on Cellblock 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.
LetsGist Verdict: Many people have claimed to see Tupac here or
there. It could be someone posing as him after a surgery. But the
statistics above has risen our bar of probability that tupac is alive.
Why did he fake his death? Publicity? Sympathy? We all know these guys
sell more once confirmed dead. Perhaps the fans think it is some way of
leaving a will they probably never left behind for their family. A very
good example is Michael Jackson and Army Winehouse who continued to top
the chat after death.
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