Tupac is ‘a symbol as visible and important as Malcolm X and Che Guevara and an inspiration for activists today’
Tupac Shakur has officially been honoured with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – nearly 27 years after he was murdered.
The rapper, who died age 25 after being gunned down on 7 September 1996 in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, got his place on the walk of fame Wednesday, a little shy of what would have been his 52nd birthday.
Among the speakers at the event was his younger sister, Sekyiwa ‘Set’ Shakur – who was presented with a resolution by the City of Los Angeles honouring the work the late performer did in the community – radio legend, Big Boy, and Dear Mama director Allen Hughes.
Sekyiwa delivered an emotional speech at the event, saying: “Tupac knew deep down that he was always meant for something great. As his little sister, I had the privilege to watch that greatness unfold,” she said.
“From the first time he stepped foot on stage at the Apollo Theater at 13 years old before anyone recognised his name, he knew he had the dream to have a star here on the Walk of Fame.”
She continued: “Not only paying tribute to his contribution in the music industry but speaks volumes to he lasting impact he’s had on this world.
“Today, we’re not just honouring a star on the ground but honouring the world and the passion he put into making his dreams come true. His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today.”
Allen Hughes, who helmed the five-part Dear Mama docuseries, said he and the rapper had “their differences” and remembered him as an “incredibly complex human bring and artist”.
“When making the film series Dear Mama I was separately searching for the melody in Tupac’s journey,” he said.
“When you look around the world and you see those murals of him in Africa, Asia, South America and Europe, then one day it hit me — Tupac Amaru Shakur has become a global symbol of rebellion.
He added that Tupac is “a symbol as visible and important as Malcolm X and Che Guevara and an inspiration for activists today.”
HipHopdx noted other special guests included YG, DJ Quik, Alex Thomas, Mopreme Shakur, Ray Luv, Macadoshis, QDIII, Mike Epps and Treach of Naughty By Nature.
Watch a live stream of the event below:
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