Tupac Shakur: Photos Of The Late Rap Icon On What Would Have Been His 51st Birthday

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June 16, 2022 3:45PM EDT

Tupac Shakur is a rap legend who left this world too early. See photos of the rapper/actor here.

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Tupac Shakur: Photos

Tupac Shakur: Photos — Tupac Shakur is still considered one of the best rappers ever even 27 years after his death. The East Harlem native, who was born in 1971, became a hip hop star after getting involved with the Digital Underground in the early-1990s and then releasing his own solo music. His iconic albums like All Eyez On Me and Me Against The World stood out for putting a spotlight on injustices such as police brutality and the struggle of young Black men.

Tupac also made a name for himself in Hollywood with a veritable acting career. He starred in ‘Nothing But Trouble,’ ‘Juice,’ ‘Poetic Justice’ with Janet Jackson and ‘Above The Rim.’ He also had a number of celebrity friends like Mike Tyson, Rosie Perez and Snoop Dogg. His close brotherhood with Biggie Smalls was put to the test and then severed after Tupac blamed Biggie and Puff Daddy for orchestrating a shooting in 1994 where Tupac was shot five times. Sadly, two years later, Tupac was gunned down and murdered in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996 in a still unsolved crime.

Here Tupac is seen in an image from ‘Poetic Justice’, where he proved his acting chops. The John Singleton movie followed Janet Jackon’s Justice on a road trip from South Central L.A. to Oakland with her best friend and a young postal clerk named Lucky.

Click through to see the best photos of the late rapper.

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Tupac & Janet Jackson In Poetic Justice

Tupac & Janet Jackson In Poetic Justice — Tupac & Janet Jackson starred in 1993’s ‘Poetic Justice.’ The film was directed by John Singleton, who rose to fame with ‘Boyz n the Hood.’

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‘Juice’

‘Juice’ — Tough stuff. Tupac played a young Harlem gangmember in ‘Juice’. The film also starred Omar Epps, Jermaine Hopkins and Khalil Kain.

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Tupac Shakur Leaves Court

Tupac Shakur Leaves Court — Tupac Shakur flashed his belly tattoo which reads, ‘THUG LIFE’ as he leaves court in New York City on Nov. 9, 1994. He was facing charges of sexual assault.

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‘Gridlock’D’

‘Gridlock’D’ — Tupac Shakur, Thandie Newton, and Tim Roth appear in 1996’s ‘Gridlock’d’, directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall. The movie was about two friends trying to kick their drug addiction after a friend dies from an overdose. When they try to enroll in a detox program, things quickly go wrong.

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Tupac & Snoop Dogg At A Voter Rally

Tupac & Snoop Dogg At A Voter Rally — Rapper Tupac Shakur, right, speaks as fellow rap artist Snoop Dogg listens during a voter registration rally in South Central Los Angeles in 1996.

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Tupac & Janet Jackson In Poetic Justice

Tupac & Janet Jackson In Poetic Justice — Tupac & Janet Jackson starred in 1993’s ‘Poetic Justice.’ The film is now considered a cult classic.

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Tupac Performs On Stage

Tupac Performs On Stage — Tupac is seen performing on stage. The rapper was shot down and killed in Las Vegas in 1996.

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Tupac In ‘Resurrection’ Documentary

Tupac In ‘Resurrection’ Documentary — Seven years after his death, Tupac was the subject of a documentary called ‘Resurrection.’ The film, directed by Lauren Lazin and released by Paramount Pictures, is narrated by Tupac himself.

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Tupac & Suge Knight Attend Voter Event

Tupac & Suge Knight Attend Voter Event — Tupac Shakur, left, and a founder of Death Row Records, Marion “Suge” Knight, attend a voter registration event in South Central Los Angeles. The pair were dressed to the nines for the event.

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Tupac Films Music Video

Tupac Films Music Video — Tupac Shakur is seen here filming a music video. The rapper also made a name for himself in Hollywood with a veritable acting career.

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Tupac Poses As A Young Artist

Tupac Poses As A Young Artist — Tupac is seen here in a picture from his documentary ‘Resurrection.’ The film was released about seven years after his death.

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