On the eve of his birthday, Tupac Shakur was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, the late rapper's sister, tearfully accepted the star on behalf of their family and spoke about Tupac's lifelong dream of being celebrated in Hollywood.
She recounted how Tupac's journey began when he first set foot on the Apollo Theater stage at just 13 years old, long before his name was recognized. Even then, he harbored a dream of having a star on the Walk of Fame. Although the Walk of Fame had selected Shakur to receive a star in 2013, they patiently waited for his family and estate to choose a date for the ceremony.
Tupac Shakur was granted the 2,758th star on the Walk of Fame, with his birthdate falling on June 16. Sekyiwa emphasized that unveiling his star was not just a tribute to his contributions to the music industry, but also a testament to the lasting impact he had on the world. She stated that they were honouring the work and passion he poured into making his dreams come true, transcending the mere symbol on the ground.
Tupac Shakur, an influential figure in hip-hop, tragically passed away in 1996 from gunshot wounds at the age of 25. Despite his career spanning just five years, he sold over 75 million records worldwide. His album "All Eyez on Me" achieved diamond certification and featured popular hits like "California Love (Remix)," "I Ain't Mad at Cha," and "How Do U Want It." In 2017, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond his musical achievements, Shakur also made a mark as an actor, starring in well-known films such as "Poetic Justice," "Gang Related," "Juice," and "Above the Rim."
Radio personality Big Boy, who hosted the ceremony, highlighted Shakur's ability to blur the lines between art and activism. He mentioned the various museum exhibits dedicated to the rapper, such as "Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Free" in 2022 and "All Eyez on Me" at the Grammy Museum in 2015.
Big Boy acknowledged the presence of notable attendees, including comedian Mike Epps, rapper YG, actor Bokeem Woodbine, and the Outlawz, a rap group founded by Shakur. The crowd enthusiastically shouted Tupac's name and played his greatest hits, such as "Dear Mama," "Changes," and "Ambitionz Az a Ridah."
Allen Hughes, director of the FX documentary "Dear Mama," described Tupac as a global symbol of rebellion, comparable to Malcolm X and Che Guevara, and an inspiration to activists today. The documentary explores the rapper's mother, Afeni Shakur, and her role as a female leader in the Black Panther Party, as well as Tupac's evolution as a political visionary and one of the greatest rap artists of all time.
Hughes concluded by noting how Tupac's message resonates worldwide, highlighting the remarkable journey of a young Black boy from Harlem who became an influential figure in popular culture.