Almost 30 years after he died, Tupac is still one of the biggest names in music. His songs still rack up hundreds of millions of streams, and right now, a trial is finally underway over who killed him.
Who Is Tupac?
Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, and one of the most influential artists in hip-hop history. He grew up moving around New York, Baltimore, and California, and broke into music in the early 90s. He released 5 albums while he was alive, plus several more that came out after his death.
What made him different was the mix. He could rap about violence and street life on one song, then turn around and rap about poverty, racism, or his mother's struggles on the next. He was also an actor, starring in movies like Juice and Poetic Justice.
He was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996. He was only 25 years old.
Tupac's Top 5 Songs by Streams
- California Love — 1.18B streams
- Hit 'Em Up — 1.06B streams
- Ambitionz Az A Ridah — 984M streams
- All Eyez On Me (feat. Big Syke) — 897M streams
- Changes — 740M streams
Streams are lifetime Spotify totals.
The official music video for "California Love," featuring Dr. Dre.
Why Is He Still So Popular?
A few reasons. His voice and delivery were instantly recognizable. His lyrics were honest in a way that still hits today, songs like "Changes" and "Dear Mama" dealt with real issues instead of just bragging. He was also part of one of the most famous rivalries in music history, the East Coast–West Coast feud with Biggie Smalls, which made headlines far outside hip-hop.
And because he died so young, at the peak of his career, his story took on a legendary quality. New generations keep discovering him decades later.
How Did Tupac Die?
On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He was riding in a car with Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight when another car pulled up next to them and someone opened fire. Tupac died six days later. For over 25 years, no one was charged.
The New Trial
In 2023, police arrested Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a self-described former leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang. Prosecutors say Davis was the "on-ground, on-site commander" who ordered the shooting, allegedly tied to a long-running feud between two Los Angeles gangs connected to Death Row Records and its rival, Bad Boy Records.
Davis has pleaded not guilty to the charge (murder with a deadly weapon, tied to gang activity), and he will not face the death penalty. His trial started this week, jury selection began Monday, August 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, and the trial is expected to run about a month.
It's important to note: Davis is currently on trial, not convicted. What's described above is what prosecutors are alleging in court, not a proven fact yet. We'll know more once the trial wraps up.
Listen to Tupac's iconic songs on Vibesynced
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