Oakland is Honoring Tupac Shakur with a Street

Tupac Shakur poses for a photoshoot for the movie ‘Juice’.

By: Adonis Armstrong

During the time he resided in the Bay Area, Tupac Shakur created his powerful debut studio album 2Pacalypse Now, solidifying his position as a prominent West Coast rapper. Shakur acknowledged Oakland as the source of his inspiration and credited the city for honing his skills in the "Game." I believe everyone should understand the “Game,” either you have it or you don't.

The City Council is set to vote on Tuesday for the renaming a piece of MacArthur Boulevard, stretching from Grand Avenue to Van Buren Avenue, as Tupac Shakur Way. This item has been included in the consent agenda, indicating that it will be voted on alongside other matters without further conversation. In the past, Oakland has renamed streets to honor respected figures such as Peter Van Kleef, Huey P. Newton, Dorothy King, and Too Short, highlighting the city's recognition of admired artists, activists, and community leaders.

Born in 1971 as Lesane Parish Crooks in Harlem, New York, 2pac’s parents, Afeni Shakur and Billy Garland, were devoted members of the Black Panther Party. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, and Marin City, California, it was in Oakland where 2Pac career gained momentum as he connected with the hip-hop collective Digital Underground. He first started working as a roadie and backup dancer before working on his own rap career, which ultimately led to the release of his own records that continue to have a great impact today.

Oakland has previously paid tribute to 2Pac on multiple occasions. In 2016, city officials designated June 16 as Tupac Shakur Day. Before that, the community has celebrated Shakur's everlasting legacy through various gatherings, such as a commemorative event in 2012 that marked what would have been his 41st birthday.

“Tupac Shakur’s legacy will continue through his contributions in art and social outreach, through his family and fans, touching countless lives of children and elders over the years while alive and after his death, taken too young by gun violence,” stated by Councilmember Carroll Fife.

It’s only right I leave ya’ll with some “Words of Wisdom” from 2Pacalypse Now.

Words Of Wisdom - 2Pac

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