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 Born Tupac Amaru Shakur in New York City he grew up primarily on the streets of Oakland, California. His first breakthrough in music came in 1991 as a member of the group Digital Underground. In the same year he recieved individual recognition for his album "2Pacalypse Now" - but this album was also the beginning of his notoriety as a leading figure of 'gangsta rap' with references to cop killing and sexual violence. His solo movie career also began in this year with Juice (1992), and in 1992 he co-starred with Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice (1993).  But law confrontations were soon to come; a 15 day jail term in 1994 for assault and battery, and in 1995 a conviction for sexual assault of a female fan. He was released after serving 8 months pending an appeal, but following the Tyson vs Seldon fight in Las Vegas he was hit by four bullets while riding in a car driven by Death Row Records chief executive 'Marion "Suge" Knight'. His right lung was removed in emergency surgery, and after 6 days in a medical coma he died.  Quote "All good niggas, all the niggas who change the world, die in violence. They don't die in regular ways."  |
