thread starter Shad Jul 06 2009
+ PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT
| 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." 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 |
