Entertainment of Thursday, 2 August 2007

Source: David Tamakloe with biography from Chris Stinson

Tupac Family to Descend on Ghana

Exclusive information available to your most exciting Enquirer Vibes reveals a tantalising news of a land mark home coming of the world uncrowned Hip-pop legend, Tupac Amau Shackur whose unfortunate assassination shocked the world 11 years ago.

Credible sources from BrassRing Media Network, a Ghanaian entertainment producers and Youth Crime Watch of America have hinted that it is most likely Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur Founder/CEO of Tupac Amau Shakur Foundation, and sister will be the guest to a show dubbed “Tupac Look Alike” in Ghana on September 15 this year in memory of their beloved Son/brother, 11 years after his death.

Tupac is considered by pundits to be the world’s most famous hip hop artiste ever. Eleven years after his dearth, his tunes and lyrics still make waves worldwide among the youth of today.

Organisers say the show is to mark this year’s youth against crime walk which comes off after every mid year.

Tupac look like show according to the organisers, will out look for idols of Tupac who best represents his total personality in Dressing, Stage Craft, lyrics etc.

This time round, it is neither the National Theatre nor the Conference Centre which has cultch their names from hosting of international artistes and events over the years.

A space with the seating and standing capacity of 2500-3000 people in Accra which was the home of theatre until most recent past is bouncing back to take its glory of being the most exciting cinema auditorium for the non-funk showbiz funs. Ready?

Rex Cinema Auditorium is the venue which is currently receiving a face lift and is likely to be outdoored with this up-coming show.

It’s not just a show but a competition to unmask the most look like Tupac who can best imitate the rap legend.

Schools and the general public would have the opportunity to attempt to take the crown of Tupac by rapping over any of Tupac Instrumentals

Numerous Prizes on offer includes, $1,000 USD, Air fare, plus other consolation prizes.

The CEO of BrassRing Media Network has told the Enquirer vibe that youth against crime/drug walk 2007 is to bring youth from all corners of the country to campaign against DRUGS, VOILENCE, RAPE, and all the norms that surround the youth of today.

The youth against crime/drug walk is to mark the 11th Anniversary of Tupac’s death and it’s under the theme: “Youth Against Crime, Drugs and Violence”

Placards and banners will be displayed by the youth, showing messages that give information about the social vices and norms challenging the youth of today. The walk will be held through some principal streets of Accra.

Tupac Shakur was born in Brookly, NY in 1971. Early in his life, he moved to Baltimore , MD, where he attended The Baltimore School for the Performing Arts. At this school, Tupac left a lasting impression on his teachers and was showing tremendous potential. Unfortunately, Tupac was unable to continue his training. He moved to Oakland, California with the rest of his family. That's when Tupac began to, as he called it, "Hang with the wrong crowd." Tupac's public life began when he joined the rap group, digital underground, first as a tour dancer, then as a rapper. Not long before the group achieved award winning success, Tupac released his first solo album "2pacalypes Now", which was also a success. While he maintained a thug image, Tupac was a man of contradictions, recording sentimental raps in support of black woman, including Brenda's Got A Baby,and Keep Ya Head Up. "Because I was raised by a woman half my life, then thrown out onto the streets, its like I've got the womans side, thewn I've got the real rough, manly values that were forced onto me."-Tupac Shakur His stunning talent also got him a role in the motion picture, the violent drama "Juice". Tupac eventually released a second album "Strictly for my Niggaz," which was an even bigger success. The highlight of Tupac's acting career came when he appeared in "Poetic Justice" besides Janet Jackson. The role made Tupac a household name and showed the world that music may not be Tupac's only talent. However he faced a possibility of doing time in prison when he was charged with assaulting the director of Menace II Society, after being dropped from the cast of the movie. What followed was a tour of courthouses and jail cells for Tupac such as 10 days in prison for assaulting a rapper with a baseball bat, and charges for shooting 2 off-duty Atlanta police officers which charges were eventually dropped. In the midst of a role in the movie "Above the Rim" and a Platnum album "Me against the world," Tupac's rising career was snagged. He was brought up on sexual assault charges by a woman he met at a nightclub. Just 1 day before Tupac would be found guilty, Tupac was shot five times while in a recording studio in New York. The attack was classed as robbery, however later Tupac accused East-coast rappers including Sean "Puffy" Combs and The Noutorious B-I-G of setting him up. While in prison on sexual abuse charges, Tupac's new album Me Against the world spent 4 weeks at number one on the charts. Tupac spend 8 months in prison, before Death Row Records producer Suge Knight paid he's 1 million dollar bail and also signed Tupac to Death Row. After his release, Tupac answered his critics by releasing his Death Row debute, "All eyes on me", which has currently sold more than 6 million copies, and fetured other Death Row memebers Snoop Doggy Dogg, and Dr Dre. While becoming Death Row's most valuable rapper, Tupac also completed work on two more films,"Gridlock" and Bullet. Then On September 7, 1996, Tupac and Suge Knight left the Mike Tyson - Bruce Seldon fight in Las Vegas in Suges car. A white Cadillac with four people inside pulled alongside at an intersection and one person opened fire. Tupac was hit 4 times while Suge escaped with minor injuries. Tupac was brought to the University Medical Center. On Friday, September 13, 1996, Tupac died after 6 days in critical condition. Tupac Shakur was pronounced dead at 4.03 pm, his body was later cremated. He was only 25. There are many thoeries to Tupac's death, however there is a suspicion that it could have have been the rivalry between the Westcoast and Eastcoast rappers.