

This was before his longer prison stint – earlier in life when a 15-day stint cost him a role in Menace II Society. Hip-hop has always involved a degree of self-mythologizing, so for better or worse, it helped 2pac’s credibility that he’d actually been to jail. Listen to the best of Tupac Shakur on Apple Music and Spotify. His feud with The Notorious BIG still looms over the world of hip-hop, but his once-in-a-generation talent, career, and legacy transcend all that, and the best Tupac songs make the case for him being the most essential rapper in hip-hop history. And as the first solo rapper in history to enter the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and the first hip-hop artist to release a double album, Tupac always set the course, never followed it. Through his lyrical prowess and social awareness, his signature flow, and a magnificent ear for beats, he’s crafted some of the greatest songs of all time. Born on June 16, 1971, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most renowned rappers of all time.
