Tupac Amaru Shakur, who went by stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was born Lesane Parish Crooks on June 16, 1971, in New York City. Raised by his mother, Afeni Shakur, who was a political activist and member of the Black Panther Party, his upbringing was deeply influenced by the struggle for civil rights.

He later moved to Baltimore and attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, gaining recognition for his talent in performing arts.

Outside the classroom, he became a significant figure in the hip-hop world, recognized for his profound lyricism and storytelling. He kickstarted his career with Digital Underground and soon emerged as a solo artist, with albums like "2Pacalypse Now," "Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...," and the chart-topping "Me Against the World".

His most successful album, "All Eyez on Me," released in 1996, became the first double-length album in hop-hop history and solidified his status as an icon.