Editing Tupac Shakur (section)

==Music career==

=== MC New York ===
Shakur began recording under the stage name MC New York in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chung|first=James|date=February 25, 2020|title=These Were Tupac's Startling Last Words|url=https://www.spin.com/photos/these-were-tupacs-startling-last-words/|access-date=January 30, 2022|website=SPIN|language=en-US}}</ref> That year, he began attending the poetry classes of [[Leila Steinberg]], and she soon became his manager.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leila Steinberg|url=http://www.hearteducation.org/leila.html |publisher=Assemblies in Motion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213024039/http://www.hearteducation.org/leila.html|archive-date=February 13, 2008 |access-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Brown-2016" /> Steinberg organized a concert for Shakur and his rap group Strictly Dope. Steinberg managed to get Shakur signed by Atron Gregory, manager of the rap group [[Digital Underground]].<ref name="Brown-2016" /> In 1990, Gregory placed him with the Underground as a [[roadie]] and [[backup dancer]].<ref name="Brown-2016" /><ref>{{cite book|last1=Sandy|first1=Candace|title=How Long Will They Mourn Me?: The Life and Legacy of Tupac Shakur|last2=Daniels|first2=Dawn Marie|date=December 8, 2010|publisher=[[Random House Publishing Group]]|isbn=9780307757449|page=15}}</ref>

===Digital Underground===
{{See also|Stretch (rapper)|Live Squad}}

Shakur debuted under the stage name 2Pac on [[Digital Underground]], under a new record label, [[Interscope Records]], on the group's January 1991 single "[[Same Song (Digital Underground song)|Same Song]]". The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1991 film ''[[Nothing but Trouble (1991 film)|Nothing but Trouble]]'', starring [[Dan Aykroyd]], [[John Candy]], [[Chevy Chase]], and [[Demi Moore]].<ref name="Brown-2016" /> The song opened the group's January 1991 EP titled ''[[This Is an EP Release]]'',<ref name="Brown-2016" /> while Shakur appeared in the music video.

At the request of Steinberg, Digital Underground co-founder Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright worked with Shakur, [[Ray Luv]] and Dize, a DJ, on their earliest studio recordings. Dright recalls that Shakur did not work well as part of a group, and added, "this guy was on a mission. From day one. Maybe he knew he wasn't going to be around seven years later."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Weingarten |first=Christopher R. |date=April 6, 2017 |title=I Get Around: The Oral History of 2Pac's Digital Underground Years |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/i-get-around-the-oral-history-of-2pacs-digital-underground-years-125475/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

From 1988 to 1991, Dright and Digital Underground produced Shakur's earliest work with his crew at the time, Strictly Dope.<ref>{{Citation |title=2Pac – The Lost Tapes Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lost-tapes-mw0000606961 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The recordings were rediscovered in 2000 and released as ''The Lost Tapes: Circa 1989.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2007 |title=Tupac Shakur Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 – Hip Hop Galaxy |url=http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/Tupac-Shakur-Beginnings-The-Lost-Tapes-1988-1991-hip-hop-5231.html |access-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617024101/http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/Tupac-Shakur-Beginnings-The-Lost-Tapes-1988-1991-hip-hop-5231.html |archive-date=June 17, 2007 }}</ref> Afeni Shakur sued to stop the sale of the recordings but the suit was settled in June 2001 and rereleased as ''[[Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991]].''<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 9, 2001 |title=Shakur Estate Settles With Chopmaster J; Lil Mo's 'True Story' Finally Comes To Light |pages=24 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HBQEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref>

Shakur's early days with [[Digital Underground]] made him acquainted with [[Stretch (rapper)|Randy "Stretch" Walker]], who along with his brother, dubbed Majesty, and a friend debuted with an EP as a rap group and production team, [[Live Squad]], in [[Queens]], New York.<ref name="Jones-1995">{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Charisse|date=December 1, 1995|title=Rapper slain after chase in Queens|page=B 3|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/01/nyregion/rapper-slain-after-chase-in-queens.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408090314/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/01/nyregion/rapper-slain-after-chase-in-queens.html|archive-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref> Stretch was featured on a track of the Digital Underground's 1991 album ''[[Sons of the P]]''. Becoming fast friends, Shakur and Stretch recorded and performed together often.<ref name="Jones-1995" />

=== ''2Pacalypse Now'' ===
{{Main|2Pacalypse Now}}
Shakur's debut album, ''2Pacalypse Now''—alluding to the 1979 film ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''—arrived in November 1991. Some prominent rappers—like [[Nas]], [[Eminem]], [[Game (rapper)|Game]], and [[Talib Kweli]]—cite it as an inspiration.<ref name="MTV2">{{cite web|title=MTV – They Told Us|website=[[MTV]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index15.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423100616/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index15.jhtml|archive-date=April 23, 2006|access-date=April 26, 2011}}</ref> Aside from "If My Homie Calls", the singles "[[Trapped (2Pac song)|Trapped]]" and "[[Brenda's Got a Baby]]" poetically depict individual struggles under socioeconomic disadvantage.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Vaught|first=Seneca|date=Spring 2014|title=Tupac's Law: Incarceration, T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E., and the Crisis of Black Masculinity|url=https://www.academia.edu/8258642/Tupacs_Law_Incarceration_and_the_Crisis_of_Black_Masculinity <!-- alternate URL: http://muse.jhu.edu/article/540809 -->|url-status=live|journal=Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men|volume=2|pages=93–94|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306233517/http://www.academia.edu/8258642/Tupacs_Law_Incarceration_and_the_Crisis_of_Black_Masculinity|archive-date=March 6, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2016|number=2|doi=10.2979/spectrum.2.2.87|s2cid=144439620}}</ref>

U.S. Vice President [[Dan Quayle]] said, "There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society." Tupac, finding himself misunderstood,<ref name="not-a-ganster" /> explained, in part:

{{Blockquote|I just wanted to rap about things that affected young black males. When I said that, I didn't know that I was gonna tie myself down to just take all the blunts and hits for all the young black males, to be the media's kicking post for young black males.<ref name=
Philips-1995-interview>{{cite web |last=Philips|first=Chuck|date=September 13, 2012|title=Tupac Shakur Interview 1995 |work =The Chuck Philips Post |url=http://chuckphilipspost.com|url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022001021/http://chuckphilipspost.com/ |archive-date=October 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sami |first=Yenigun |date=July 19, 2013 |title=20 Years Ago, Tupac Broke Through|newspaper=National Public Radio.com|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/07/19/203360557/in-1993-tupac-breaks-through|url-status=live|access-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030040028/http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/07/19/203360557/in-1993-tupac-breaks-through|archive-date=October 30, 2013}}</ref>}}

''2Pacalypse Now'' was [[certified Gold]], half a million copies sold. The album addresses urban Black concerns said to remain relevant to the present day.<ref name="Brown-2016" />

=== ''Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...'' ===
{{Main|Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...}}

Shakur's second album, ''Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...'', was released in February 1993.<ref name="Albumism">{{Cite web |title=Revisiting 2Pac's 'Strictly 4 My N.*.*.*.*.Z...' (1993) {{!}} Retrospective Tribute |url=https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-2pac-strictly-4-my-niggaz |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Albumism |language=en-US}}</ref> A critical and commercial success, it debuted at No. 24 on the pop albums chart, the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/2pac/chart-history/tlp/|title=2Pac – Album chart history|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 14, 2021}}</ref> An overall more hardcore album, it emphasizes Tupac's sociopolitical views, and has a metallic production quality. The song "Last Wordz" features [[Ice Cube]], co-writer of [[N.W.A|N.W.A's]] "[[Fuck tha Police]]", who in his own solo albums had newly gone militantly [[Political rap|political]], and [[gangsta rap]]per [[Ice-T]], who in June 1992 had sparked controversy with his band [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]]'s track "[[Cop Killer (song)|Cop Killer]]".<ref name="Albumism" />

In its vinyl release, side A, tracks 1 to 8, is labeled the "Black Side", while side B, tracks 9 to 16, is the "Dark Side".{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} The album carries the single "[[I Get Around (Tupac Shakur song)|I Get Around]]", a party anthem featuring Digital Underground's [[Shock G]] and [[Money-B]], which became Shakur's breakthrough, reaching No. 11 on the pop singles chart, the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="Billboard" /> The album also carries the optimistic compassion of another hit, "[[Keep Ya Head Up]]", an anthem for [[women's empowerment]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2011 |title=The Feminism of Tupac |url=https://www.epl.org/the-feminism-of-tupac/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Evanston Public Library |language=en-US}}</ref> The album was certified [[Platinum certification|Platinum]], with a million copies sold. As of 2004, among Shakur albums, including posthumous and compilation albums, ''Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...'' was 10th in sales at about 1,366,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|title={{Not a typo|Remebering}} Tupac: His Musical Legacy and His Top Selling Albums |url=http://atlantapost.com/2010/09/16/tupacs-album-sales-and-his-persisting-legacy56988/ |publisher=Atlantapost.com|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220212220/http://atlantapost.com/2010/09/16/tupacs-album-sales-and-his-persisting-legacy56988/ |archive-date=February 20, 2011|access-date=March 10, 2012}}</ref>

=== Thug Life ===
[[File:2Pac_-_Dear_Mamma-Old_School_(test_pressing_single)_(Side_A).jpg|right|thumb|The [[test pressing]] single for "[[Dear Mama]]": the Platinum single is among the top-ranked songs in hip-hop history.]]
In late 1993, Shakur formed the group [[Thug Life (band)|Thug Life]] with Tyrus "[[Big Syke]]" Himes, Diron "Macadoshis" Rivers, his stepbrother [[Mopreme Shakur]], and Walter "Rated R" Burns.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Jake |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D03tbYix8y4C&dq=Thug+Life+Big+Syke+Mopreme+Shakur&pg=PA16 |title=Tupac Shakur, (2-Pac) in the Studio: The Studio Years (1989–1996) |date=2005 |publisher=Amber Books Publishing |isbn=978-0-9767735-0-4 |pages=16 |language=en}}</ref> Usually, Thug Life performed live without Tupac.<ref>{{Cite AV media|title=Thug Life: Vol. 1 |date=1994 |medium=CD}}</ref>

Thug Life released its only album, ''[[Thug Life, Volume I]]'', on October 11, 1994, which is certified Gold. It carries the single "Pour Out a Little Liquor", produced by [[Johnny "J"|Johnny "J" Jackson]], who would also produce much of Shakur's album ''All Eyez on Me''. The track also appears on the ''[[Above the Rim (soundtrack)|Above the Rim]]'' soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=Jacinta |date=August 24, 2018 |title=Thug Life- 'Pour Out A Little Liquor': Throwback Video of the Day |url=https://theboombox.com/thug-life-pour-out-a-little-liquor-throwback-video-of-the-day/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=The Boombox |language=en}}</ref> Due to [[gangsta rap]] being under heavy criticism at the time, the album's original version was scrapped, and the album redone with mostly new tracks. Still, along with Stretch, Tupac would perform the first planned single, "Out on Bail", which was never released, at the [[1994 Source Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Details Emerge About Tupac Ambushing A Tribe Called Quest's Source Awards Speech (Video)Ambrosia For Heads |url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2016/06/new-details-emerge-about-tupac-ambushing-a-tribe-called-quests-source-awards-speech-video/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=ambrosiaforheads.com|date=June 2, 2016 }}</ref>

=== The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. ===
{{See also|The Notorious B.I.G.}}
In 1993, while visiting Los Angeles, [[the Notorious B.I.G.]] asked a local drug dealer to introduce him to Shakur and they quickly became friends. The pair would socialize when Shakur went to New York or B.I.G. to Los Angeles.<ref name="Westhoff-2016">{{cite web|last=Westhoff|first=Ben|date=September 12, 2016|title=How Tupac and B.I.G. went from friends to deadly rivals|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/tupac-biggie-friends-to-foes/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814121519/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gqkqz3/tupac-biggie-friends-to-foes|archive-date=August 14, 2020|access-date=May 16, 2020|work=[[Vice.com]]}}</ref> During this period, at his own live shows, Shakur would call B.I.G. onto stage to rap with him and Stretch.<ref name="Westhoff-2016" /> Together, they recorded the songs "[[Runnin' from tha Police]]" and "House of Pain".

Reportedly, B.I.G. asked Shakur to manage him, whereupon Shakur advised him that [[Sean Combs]] would make him a star.<ref name="Westhoff-2016" /> Yet in the meantime, Shakur's lifestyle was comparatively lavish to B.I.G. who had not yet established himself.<ref name="Westhoff-2016" /> Shakur welcomed B.I.G. to join his side group Thug Life, but he would instead form his own side group, the [[Junior M.A.F.I.A.]], with his Brooklyn friends [[Lil' Cease]] and [[Lil' Kim]]. Shakur had a falling out with B.I.G. after Shakur was shot at Quad Studios in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Joel|date=October 30, 2019|title=The Moment Tupac and Biggie Went From Friends to Enemies|url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/10/slow-burn-season-3-tupac-biggie.html|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=Slate Magazine|language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Me Against the World'' ===
{{Main|Me Against the World}}
Shakur's third album, ''Me Against the World,'' was released while he was incarcerated in March 1995.<ref name="Bierut-2021">{{Cite web|last=Bierut|first=Patrick|date=March 14, 2021|title='Me Against The World': How 2Pac Transcended Hip-Hop's Trappings|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/2pac-me-against-the-world-album/|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}}</ref> It is now hailed as his [[Masterpiece|magnum opus]], and commonly ranks among the greatest, most influential rap albums.<ref name="Bierut-2021" /> The album debuted at No. 1 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and sold 240,000 copies in its first week, setting a then record for highest first-week sales for a solo male rapper.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|date=April 1, 2015|title=Tupac's 'Me Against the World' Topped Billboard 200 20 Years Ago Today: A Retrospective|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/tupac-me-against-the-world-anniversary-6517174/|access-date=December 12, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=October 11, 2004 |title=Timeline: 25 Years of Rap Records |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3734910.stm |url-status=live |access-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330160559/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3734910.stm |archive-date=March 30, 2009}}</ref>

The lead single, "[[Dear Mama]]", was released in February 1995 with "Old School" as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Dear Mama (US Single #1) at AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r225253|pure_url=yes}} |website=AllMusic|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020060658/http://allmusic.com/album/r225253 |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=March 20, 2009}}</ref> It is the album's most successful single, topping the [[Hot Rap Songs|Hot Rap Singles]] chart, and peaking at No. 9 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="AllMusic-r231489" /> In July, it was certified Platinum.<ref name="2PacRIAAStats2">{{cite web|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum – May 13, 2009 : Search Results – 2 Pac|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=2%20Pac&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904025001/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=2%20Pac&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25|archive-date=September 4, 2015|access-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> It ranked No. 51 on the [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1995|year-end charts]]. The second single, "[[So Many Tears]]", was released in June 1995,<ref>{{cite web|title=So Many Tears (EP) at AllMusic|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r225255|pure_url=yes}}|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 22, 2009}}</ref> reaching No. 6 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and No. 44 on Hot 100.<ref name="AllMusic-r231489" /> The final single, "[[Temptations (song)|Temptations]]", was released in August 1995.<ref>{{cite web|title=Temptations (CD/Cassette Single) at AllMusic|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r335055|pure_url=yes}}|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 22, 2009}}</ref> It reached No. 68 on the Hot 100, No. 35 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]], and No. 13 on the Hot Rap Singles.<ref name="AllMusic-r231489" /> Several celebrities showed their support for Shakur by appearing in the music video for "Temptations".<ref name="Hochman-1995" />

Shakur won best rap album at the [[1996 Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Appleford | first = Steve |date=April 1, 1996 |title=It's a Soul Train Awards Joy Ride for TLC, D'Angelo |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-01-ca-53511-story.html|url-status=live |access-date=October 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026173412/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-04-01/entertainment/ca-53511_1_soul-train |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}</ref> In 2001, it ranked 4th among his total albums in sales, with about 3&nbsp;million copies sold in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/09/tupac-month-2pacs-discography/#2|url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013210446/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/09/tupac-month-2pacs-discography/ |archive-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref>

=== ''All Eyez on Me'' ===
{{Main|All Eyez on Me}}
While Shakur was imprisoned in 1995, his mother was about to lose her house. Shakur had his wife Keisha Morris contact [[Death Row Records]] founder [[Suge Knight]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="Westhoff-2016" /> Reportedly, Shakur's mother promptly received $15,000.<ref name="Westhoff-2016" /> After an August visit to [[Clinton Correctional Facility]] in northern New York state, Knight traveled southward to New York City to attend the [[1995 Source Awards|2nd Annual Source Awards]] ceremony. Meanwhile, an [[East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry]] was brewing between Death Row and [[Bad Boy Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=How the 1995 Source Awards Changed Rap Forever|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/how-the-1995-source-awards-changed-rap-forever|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=Complex|language=en}}</ref> In October 1995, Knight visited Shakur in prison again and posted $1.4&nbsp;million bond.<ref name="Parker-2007">{{cite book | first1 = Derrick | last1 = Parker | first2 = Matt | last2 = Diehl | title = Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from the NYPD's First "Hip-Hop Cop" | location = New York | publisher = St. Martin's Griffin | year = 2007 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aW1CdaYjwDgC&pg=PA113 | pages = 113–116 | isbn = 9781429907781 | access-date = May 20, 2020 | archive-date = September 15, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200915032409/https://books.google.com/books?id=aW1CdaYjwDgC&pg=PA113 | url-status = live }}</ref> Shakur returned to Los Angeles and joined Death Row with the appeal of his December 1994 conviction pending.<ref name="Parker-2007" />

Shakur's fourth album, ''All Eyez on Me'', arrived on February 13, 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sayles |first=Justin |date=February 12, 2021 |title=The Triumph and Tragedy of Tupac's 'All Eyez on Me' |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/2/12/22279018/tupac-shakur-2pac-all-eyez-on-me-history-death-row |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref> It was rap's first double album—meeting two of the three albums due in Shakur's contract with Death Row—and bore five singles.<ref>''XXL Magazine'', October 2004, p. 104.</ref> The album shows Shakur [[gangsta rap|rapping about the gangsta lifestyle]], leaving behind his previous political messages. With standout production, the album has more party tracks and often a triumphant tone.<ref name="AllMusic-r231489">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r231489|pure_url=yes}} | title = 2Pac – ''All Eyez on Me'' | first = Steve | last = Huey | date = n.d. | work = [[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 28, 2010}}</ref> Music journalist [[Kevin Powell]] noted that Shakur, once released from prison, became more aggressive, and "seemed like a completely transformed person".<ref name="Reese-2021">{{cite news |last1=Reese |first1=Alexis |title=Tupac Talks Quad Studios Shooting in Kevin Powell Interview |url=https://www.bet.com/article/88dkri/tupac-talks-quad-studios-shooting-in-kevin-powell-interview |access-date=December 15, 2021 |work=BET |date=December 15, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

As Shakur's second album to hit No. 1 on both the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart and the pop albums chart, the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name="AllMusic-r231489"/> it sold 566,000 copies in its first week and was it was [[RIAA certification|certified]] 5× Multi-Platinum in April.<ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Chuck|date=July 31, 2003|title=As Associates Fall, Is 'Suge' Knight Next?|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fi-suge1aug01-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124070530/http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fi-suge1aug01-story.html|archive-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> The singles "[[How Do U Want It]]" and "[[California Love]]" reached No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Corpuz|first=Kristin|date=June 16, 2020|title=Tupac's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tupac-billboard-hot-100-hits/|access-date=December 12, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}</ref> Death Row released Shakur's diss track "[[Hit 'Em Up]]" as the non-album B-side to "How Do U Want It". In this venomous tirade, the proclaimed "Bad Boy killer" threatens violent payback on all things Bad Boy — B.I.G., Sean Combs, Junior M.A.F.I.A., the company — and on any in the East Coast rap scene, like rap duo [[Mobb Deep]] and rapper [[Chino XL]], who allegedly had commented against Shakur about the dispute.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Stereo|date=June 4, 2016|title=Tupac's 'Hit 'Em Up': The Most Savage Diss Track Ever Turns 20|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/06/04/tupac-s-hit-em-up-the-most-savage-diss-track-ever-turns-20|access-date=December 12, 2021}}</ref>

''All Eyez on Me'' won R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year at the [[1997 Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/maxwell_tupac_top_soul_train_awards/34166 |title=Maxwell, Tupac Top Soul Train Awards |publisher=E! Online |date=March 7, 1997 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606175431/http://www.eonline.com/news/maxwell_tupac_top_soul_train_awards/34166 |archive-date=June 6, 2012}}</ref> At the [[1997 American Music Awards]], Shakur won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1997/amas.htm |title=24th American Music Awards |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=October 26, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026173851/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1997/amas.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}</ref> The album was certified 9× Multi-Platinum in June 1998,<ref>{{cite web|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=All%20Eyez%20on%20Me&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25|publisher=Riaa.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904025001/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=All%20Eyez%20on%20Me&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25|archive-date=September 4, 2015|access-date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> and 10× in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – March 09, 2015|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database|website=riaa.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104132513/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database|archive-date=January 4, 2013|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Posthumous albums===

At the time of his death, a fifth solo album was already finished, ''[[The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory]]'', under the stage name Makaveli. It had been recorded during the summer of 1996 and released that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/news/12056616 |title=Music News, Interviews, Pics, and Gossip: Yahoo! Music |publisher=Ca.music.yahoo.com |date=April 20, 2011 |access-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327075641/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/news/12056616 |archive-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>''XXL Magazine'', October 2003.</ref> The lyrics were written and recorded in three days, and mixing took another four days. In 2005, MTV.com ranked ''The 7 Day Theory'' at No. 9 among hip-hop's greatest albums ever,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index3.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507152454/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index3.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 7, 2005 |title=The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time |publisher=MTV.com |date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> and by 2006 a classic album.<ref name="mtv greatest">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index10.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413234303/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index10.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 13, 2006 |title=The Greatest MCs Of All Time |work=MTV.com |date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> Its singular poignance, through hurt and rage, contemplation and vendetta, resonate with many fans.<ref>''XXL Magazine'', October 2006.</ref>

According to George "Papa G" Pryce, Death Row Records' then director of [[public relations]], the album was meant to be "underground", and was not intended for release before the artist was murdered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05imWUtMazM |title=Tupac The Workaholic. (MYCOMEUP.COM) |publisher=YouTube |date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226224815/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05imWUtMazM |archive-date=February 26, 2013}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2024}} It peaked at No. 1 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart and on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r241166/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} ''The Don Killuminati''] chart peaks on [[AllMusic]].</ref> with the second-highest debut-week sales total of any album that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-14-ca-64364-story.html |title=All Eyes on Shakur's 'Don Killuminati' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 23, 1997 |access-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915073805/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-11-14/entertainment/ca-64364_1_don-killuminati |archive-date=September 15, 2011}}</ref> On June 15, 1999, it was certified 4× Multi-Platinum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |title=Recording Industry Association of America |publisher=RIAA |access-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104132513/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |archive-date=January 4, 2013}}</ref>

Later posthumous albums are archival productions, these albums are:

* ''[[R U Still Down? (Remember Me)|R U Still Down?]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Greatest Hits (2Pac album)|Greatest Hits]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Still I Rise (album)|Still I Rise]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Until the End of Time (Tupac Shakur album)|Until the End of Time]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Better Dayz]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Loyal to the Game]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Pac's Life]]'' (2006)<ref>

The [[2008 Universal Studios fire|2008 fire sustained by University Music Group lost]], among archives of hundreds of other artists, some of Tupac's [Jody Rosen, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/25/magazine/universal-music-fire-bands-list-umg.html "Here are hundreds more artists whose tapes were destroyed in the UMG fire"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123010002/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/25/magazine/universal-music-fire-bands-list-umg.html |date=November 23, 2019 }}, ''The New York Times'', June 25, 2019].</ref>