With major labels wary of his reputation, Knight took it as an opportunity. Already a major star, Shakur had been convicted and imprisoned in 1995 on a charge of sexual abuse of a fan. Shakur had recently signed to Death Row Records, owned by Marion “Suge” Knight. ![]() ![]() The first time I met Shakur was at the pink palm-treed fantasy that is the Beverly Hills Hotel. When all this happened, I was living in Los Angeles, writing a book about hip-hop and about the young men of South Central LA, many of whom dreamed of a stardom that could lift them out of their toxic lives. The idea that we may be about to finally discover the answer is tantalising. After 27 years, Las Vegas police, who fumbled the initial investigation, appear to be attempting to uncover new evidence. It’s not surprising, then, that when he was shot dead, everyone wanted to know why. Shakur’s music is full of anger at the poverty inflicted on his generation and at the extraordinary violence perpetrated both by and against it. In the 90s, African American culture was at an extraordinary creative peak, but it was also grappling with extremes of toxic masculinity. He sold more than 75m records and starred in six movies. ![]() To anyone who loves hip-hop, Shakur is a giant.
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