Almost 30 years after he died, Tupac Shakur is still one of the biggest names in music. His songs still rack up hundreds of millions of streams. And after 28 years with no one charged for his murder, a jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty on August 31, 2026. Here's his story, his top 5 songs by streams, and the full verdict in his murder trial.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis was found guilty of first-degree murder on August 31, 2026, nearly 30 years after Tupac's death. He faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is set for October 13, 2026. Davis has said he plans to appeal.
Who Is Tupac Shakur?
Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, and one of the most influential artists in hip-hop history. He's also known by his stage name 2Pac. 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.
Big Syke, the rapper featured on "All Eyez On Me," died on December 5, 2016, at age 48. He passed from natural causes at his home in Hawthorne, California. He was a member of Tupac's Thug Life group.
The official music video for "California Love," featuring Dr. Dre.
Why Is Tupac 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 quality that keeps new generations 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 6 days later. For over 25 years, no one was charged.
The Tupac Shakur Murder Trial: The Verdict
In 2023, police arrested Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a self-described former leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang. Prosecutors argued Davis was the "on-ground, on-site commander" who ordered the shooting, tied to a long-running feud between gangs connected to Death Row Records and its rival, Bad Boy Records.
Davis pleaded not guilty. His trial began with jury selection on August 10, 2026, in Las Vegas.
On August 31, 2026, after roughly 3 hours of deliberation, the jury found Davis guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
Prosecutors never claimed Davis fired the shots himself. They argued he was the "shot caller" who handed the gun to the shooter, believed to be his nephew, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson.
Davis now faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2026. He has said he plans to appeal the conviction.
What the Verdict Means
For nearly 3 decades, Tupac's murder was one of the most famous unsolved cases in music history. The conviction closes a chapter that millions of fans had long waited to see resolved.
It's also one of the rare times a high-profile music industry murder has ended with a conviction. Biggie Smalls' murder, which happened 6 months after Tupac's in 1997, remains officially unsolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Killed Tupac Shakur?
A jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of first-degree murder on August 31, 2026. Prosecutors said Davis ordered the shooting. The person believed to have actually fired the shots, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, died in a separate shooting in 1998.
What Happened in the Tupac Murder Trial?
Davis was convicted on August 31, 2026, after a roughly 3-week trial in Las Vegas. He faces up to life in prison, with sentencing set for October 13, 2026. Davis has said he plans to appeal.
What Was Big Syke's Cause of Death?
Big Syke, the rapper featured on Tupac's "All Eyez On Me," died on December 5, 2016, at age 48. He passed from natural causes at his home in Hawthorne, California.
What Is Tupac's Most-Streamed Song?
"California Love," featuring Dr. Dre, is Tupac's most-streamed song on Spotify, with over 1.18 billion streams.
VIBESYNCED Particles That Match Tupac
Tupac's catalog runs from grimy West Coast anthems to raw, emotional storytelling. These 3 scenes match different sides of his music. Tap one to jump straight into the app with that particle already running.
