Even decades after his death, Tupac Shakur—better known as 2Pac—remains one of the most analyzed and influential hip-hop artists of all time. Artists like Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Drake, J. Cole, and Kevin Abstract have cited him as an inspiration. Despite the ever-changing music scene, Tupac’s legacy continues to resonate, even among younger generations. While some, like Lil Xan and 03 Greedo, have dismissed his impact, others, like Cardi B, have paid tribute to his influence.
Beyond his music, Tupac’s life is surrounded by endless debate and conspiracy theories. Was he part of the Illuminati? Did they have him killed? Did he fake his own death? Is he secretly living in Cuba? The internet has only deepened the mystery, making it harder to separate fact from fiction.
Journalist Ben Westhoff uncovered new details about Tupac while researching his book Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap. Based on interviews with over 100 key figures, his work sheds light on lesser-known aspects of Tupac’s life. While some stories—like Biggie asking Tupac to mentor him—have gained attention, here are ten things you might not know about the rap legend:
1. Tupac and Dr. Dre Never Really Worked Together
One of Tupac’s biggest motivations for signing with Death Row Records in 1995 was the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Dre. However, their timing didn’t align—Tupac was just joining while Dre was on his way out. Their only significant collaboration was “California Love,” and Tupac later mocked Dre in the song. According to Dre, they never even met in person. “Tupac never came to my house. He didn’t even know where I lived. We were never in the same car,” Dre revealed in an interview.
2. Tupac Changed Suge Knight—Not the Other Way Around
Before signing with Death Row, Tupac was known for storytelling tracks like Brenda’s Got a Baby and Dear Mama. After joining, his music took a darker, more aggressive turn, leading many to believe Suge Knight influenced him. But those close to them say the opposite may be true. Tupac’s presence made Suge more aggressive and ruthless. “I made Suge think he was invincible,” wrote Stormy Ramthan, the mother of Suge’s children.
3. The Outlawz Smoked Tupac’s Ashes—Or Did They?
After Tupac’s cremation, members of The Outlawz claimed to have smoked his ashes, inspired by his lyrics in Black Jesuz: “Last wish? Mix my ashes with the weed.” In an interview with XXL, Young Noble said they honored his request, but later, E.D.I. Mean admitted they weren’t even sure they had the real ashes. Regardless, some members still believe they inhaled a part of Tupac.
4. Tupac Wanted to Start a Kids' Rap Group
In the early ‘90s, as kid rap groups like Kris Kross were taking off, Tupac and his half-brother Mopreme Shakur tried forming their own group made up of underprivileged kids from Oakland and Richmond. They called them “Poor Kids” or “Gangster Kids,” but the project never gained momentum. However, some of those kids, including Tupac’s childhood friends E.D.I. (Yaki Kadafi) and Castro, later became part of The Outlawz.
5. Tupac Almost Signed with Ruthless Records
Before going to Death Row, Tupac was courted by both Suge Knight’s label and Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records. Tupac had a good relationship with Eazy, even dining with him and wearing a Thug Life hat. According to Ruthless members, if Eazy had still been alive when Tupac got out of prison, he might have signed with Ruthless instead of Death Row.
6. The "50 Niggaz" Movement Inspired Thug Life
Tupac’s famous Thug Life tattoo wasn’t just an aesthetic choice—it represented a movement. Before Thug Life, Tupac pushed a concept called "50 Niggaz," which aimed to unite Black people across all 50 states. The philosophy evolved into Thug Life, gaining traction after his friend Big Kato was murdered in 1993.
7. Tupac Performed in Prison—Like Johnny Cash
Tupac’s stepfather, Mutulu Shakur, was a revolutionary who was convicted for his involvement in a 1981 Brinks armored car robbery. While serving time at a federal prison in Lompoc, California, he helped organize a concert featuring Tupac and other artists in 1993. However, the biggest attraction for the inmates wasn’t Tupac—it was the female R&B group Y’N-Vee.
8. Tupac Played a Key Role in the 1992 Watts Gang Truce
Alongside his father Mutulu and brother Mopreme, Tupac helped draft the Thug Life Code, a 26-point manifesto aimed at reducing violence among drug dealers. It condemned selling drugs to minors and pregnant women, called for the protection of civilians, and emphasized keeping communities safe. The code played a role in the 1992 Watts gang truce between the Bloods and Crips.
9. Tupac Might Have Shot Himself at Quad Studios
In 1994, Tupac was shot five times at Quad Studios in New York. He later accused Biggie Smalls of knowing about the setup, fueling the East Coast-West Coast feud. However, forensic evidence suggests Tupac may have accidentally shot himself while trying to draw his own gun. “I believe he pulled the trigger in his haste to pull the gun out of his waistband,” said Greg Kading, a former LAPD investigator.
10. Tupac and Snoop Dogg Planned a Supergroup
Before their falling out, Tupac and Snoop Dogg were working on a joint project called Thug Pound, featuring The Outlawz and Tha Dogg Pound. They even gave Kurupt and Daz their own Outlawz-style nicknames: Kurupt Young Gotti and Daz Dillinger. The group was in early stages of recording when Tupac was killed, leaving the project unfinished.
