The life, meteoric rise, and violent death of Tupac Shakur, in articles, interviews, and photographs. The son of a former Black Panther, Shakur became increasingly associated with the thug lifestyle he rapped about, even as he ascended to international success and a successful movie career. Unlike many others in the rap world, Shakur`s songs and tales of violence were no mere pose, as was proven in 1996 when he was gunned down while waiting at a traffic light. With tributes from directors John Singleton and Ernest Dickerson, and rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy, as well as a foreword by Quincy Jones.