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Stern on the »Walk of Fame« in Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Pizzello / dpa
Rapper Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) has been posthumously honored in Hollywood. On the famous "Walk of Fame" on Wednesday (local time) the 2758th star plaque was unveiled. It bears the name of the musician, actor, activist and poet.
He has become a "symbol of rebellion", similar to Malcolm X and Che Guevara, which is understood all over the world, said US director Allen Hughes ("Broken City"). The world feels Tupac's message," Hughes said at the event. "Not bad for a little black boy from Harlem, is it?"
Hughes directed the new docu-series "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur" about Tupac Shakur and his mother, Black Panther activist Afeni Shakur.
The rapper's younger sister, Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, unveiled the plaque in front of cheering fans. We honor the work and passion he put into making his dreams come true," she said through tears.
Death on the street in Las Vegas
Shakur (»All Eyez on Me«) was one of the most successful rap artists of the nineties, his albums have sold more than 75 million copies so far. In 2017, the musician was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland (Ohio). He was also successful as an actor and starred in films such as »Poetic Justice«, »Gang Related«, »Juice« and »Above the Rim«.
The hip-hop star, who grew up in poverty in New York, was at times involved in drug trafficking and other crimes, and he was also imprisoned. In California, he worked with the gangsta rap label Death Row Records, among others.
Shakur was shot dead on September 13, 1996, at the age of 25, in Las Vegas on the street under unexplained circumstances. At that time, there were clashes between rival rappers from the East and West Coasts.
jok/dpa