September 6th 1996, no one would ever assume the next 24 hours would change the entire world and the future of hip hop forever. Tupac Amaru Shakur, one of the most prolific artists to emerge around that era was furthering his reign and empire through music and his ability to impact and lead the minds of those that heard his music and ideology.
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On that night of September 6th 1996, Tupac was in at Lacy Street Studios in Los Angeles, California filming his music video for his song “Toss It Up” https://youtu.be/ONyV610j4sU
They wrapped up filming after 11 pm that night and headed back to rest their heads as the following day they were scheduled to be off to Las Vegas for numerous reasons. One, legendary boxer Mike Tyson, a close friend of Tupac
was having a heavyweight bout versus Bruce Seldon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
And weeks prior he promised to go with Suge. Even then something was off, but Tupac was a man of his word and wasn’t going to break his promise to his friend. His then fiancé and daughter of the iconic Quincy Jones, Kidada Jones
recalls Tupac’s eerie feeling that day. As per her recollection, Tupac told her he didn’t want to go to Vegas, but did it out of keeping his word. She would accompany Tupac, but not to the boxing match as Tupac didn’t want her around that environment. Maybe, it was as a precaution due to the feeling he had, and that precaution, if so, would turn out to be right.
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/1997/03/tupac-shakur-rap-death
That second reason for his trip to Las Vegas, was to celebrate the birthday of his business partner Tracy Robinson https://youtu.be/cf8mJFJ9xWQ (0:40-0:48)
Amid planning to go to Vegas, Tupac’s mind was uneasy. Behind the scenes there were tensions brewing and family issues with his crew of affiliates which he labeled The Outlawz
needed to be tended to. Tupac wanted to go to California to ensure matters were dealt with, but he was persuaded to upkeep his obligations to the Vegas trip https://youtu.be/FEQKfuNNnr8 (3:12-3:23) https://youtu.be/XVCj4KwPILA (8:18-8:33) https://youtu.be/XVCj4KwPILA (8:47-8:57) Unfortunately, that decision would be his undoing.
September 7th 1996, the day arrived where Las Vegas was the destination. Even packing felt filled with bad energy from Tupac. Tupac had a signature bullet proof vest he’d grown accustom to wearing given his lifestyle and feuds, but his fiancé recalls Tupac even declining to pack that attire as if he knew Vegas would be his final moments.
On the drive to Las Vegas, certain things stood out along the way. Tupac would stop at a gas station convenience store and buy only magazines about guns which he obsessed with until they checked into the Luxor hotel and casino on the Vegas Strip. Kidada Jones exact words at the sight of the pyramid shaped structure were , “God,” she said, “it’s so evil.”
It seems all the signs were adding up, and Tupac’s life would soon be subtracted from the equation. Still, it was Las Vegas and nothing gets better than Vegas nights. Around 7:51 pm Along with Suge and his entourage, Tupac made his way to the GMG Grand Garden Areana where Mike Tyson was scheduled to fight https://youtu.be/bP51b5CFxrM (0:20-0:50) https://youtu.be/9QCCsvRGxRo (0:00-0:27)
Mike Tyson dominated the fight, ending the match in the first round with a knock out https://youtu.be/RgfQ3uBIYPY (3:31-5:25) Tupac was ecstatic to see his friend win the fight and rushed down to greet Mike Tyson as he existed the ring. The two held in an embrace in celebration and it was all smiles,
not knowing that tears would be pouring that same night https://youtu.be/MLKu_FtCumU
Minutes later, the incident that sparked Tupac’s murder happened. In the lobby of the MGM Grand hotel, footage captured a brutal beat down by Tupac, Suge Knight and their entourage on a rival gang member known as Orlando Anderson https://youtu.be/WoS4EroNYSw (0:00-0:12) https://youtu.be/P1SEgAhj5_8 (0:06-0:19) https://youtu.be/CPdTgfGP8q0 (1:00-1:25)
While one fight ended in the ring, another took place in the lobby. Anderson was left with a dislocated shoulder and had to be hospitalized https://youtu.be/lpMUHazbSP0 (0:15-0:37) After Tupac and his entourage beat down Orlando, they left the scene of the deed causing pandemonium for the plethora of other patrons scattering in a panic https://youtu.be/CPdTgfGP8q0 (1:58-2:12) https://youtu.be/CPdTgfGP8q0 (4:15-4:35)
The altercation between Tupac and Orlando was no freak coincidence. At that time, there was a number of deadly feuds that revolved around Tupac, Suge Knight’s Death Row Record label to which Tupac was signed. Two notable ones were between Suge Knight’s Death Row and Sean Puff Daddy Combs Bad Boy Records
which had Death Row west coast artist Tupac facing off against Bad Boy east coast artist Biggie Smalls https://youtu.be/oImzNV1F91A (0:30-0:40)
While Tupac had to deal with the consequences of that feud, being a part of Death Row Records also extended a gang feud to his doorstep. Suge Knight was a well respected MOB Piru member and was locked in a battle with rival set Southside Campton Crips https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (1:37-2:03) That’s was ignition to what occurred in the MGM grand between Tupac and Orlando Anderson because as reports state, Orlando and his affiliates allegedly apprehended a Death Row affiliate and stole his signature death row chain. What’s more, is that it’s also alleged Orlando was bold and brazen about his actions as he was wearing it at the MGM Grand the night he was beaten. According to his close childhood friend and Nutty Blocc Compton Crip member BG Knocc Out
this altercation was the consequences of his actions due to the lasting feud between the MOB Piru’s and Southside Campton Crips https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (1:18-1:33) https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (2:11-2:48) In fact, about a year prior Orlando Anderson aka Baby Lane nearly lost his life in the feud when he was shot in both knee caps with an AK 47 which required him to learn how walk again https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (8:57-9:12)
So there was Tupac and his entourage fleeing the scene of the altercation with Orlando Anderson. At that point he returns to his hotel where he told Kidada Jones he got into a fight and specifically informed her “Something’s up. You stay here.” At that moment he changed his attire into a basketball jersey and some baggy sweats before meeting with Suge in the lobby and heading out
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/1997/03/tupac-shakur-rap-death
What’s even more notable in this moment, is that Tupac was told by his associates he should wear his bullet proof vest that he normally dons, but he replies its hot so there was no need to bring it, another uncharacteristic thing that felt off about his that night https://youtu.be/FEQKfuNNnr8 (35:01-35:29)
This footage captured in Las Vegas was the last video footage caught with the rapper and Suge Knight after he chained and left. Surrounded by women, no one would think the next events were about to happen, but Tupac might have known his time was coming to an end https://youtu.be/QDWK8C6VJuM
11 pm struck. Tupac and Suge Knight would leave from Suge’s house to make their way to the Suge’s club – club 662 for a party hosted by Suge Knight
The two would have frequented the club before on different occasions as a spot in Las Vegas they enjoy
This time however, the pair would never make it to the venue, and one, never make it to see anything ever again. Leaving Suge Knights mansion, Tupac had his trusted body guard Frank Alexander with him,
only he make a split decision when his body guard was about to enter into the back seat of Suge’s Black BMW 750iL. As Frank opened the door, Tupac instead told him to drive the Lexus with his crew, The Outlawz, as they planned on consuming a hefty amount of alcohol at the party and he’d be the designated driver https://youtu.be/FEQKfuNNnr8 (37:05-37:29) The last photo of Tupac night became an iconic snapshot. It was taken by a 29-year-old UCLA film school student named Leonard Jefferson who recognized the rapper at a stop light along the strip
The next stop light would be where his life would be placed on a timer. Around that same time, Orlando Anderson and his gang affiliated Uncle Duane Davis aka Keefe D
along with two other affiliates were on the prowl looking for Tupac for retaliation due to the altercation earlier. They were in a white Cadillac when they just coincidentally saw Tupac along the strip hanging out the vehicle having a grand time on his way to club 662 https://youtu.be/x3uoB8zvLdI (0:09-1:01) They made a u-turn and began trailing behind Tupac and his entourage. Tupac and Suge came to a stop at a red light. A vehicle with 2 females pulled beside them to the left of Tupac and sparked a conversation that led to invitations with them to club 662 https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (2:11-2:49) In front Tupac and Suge were two cars and behind them was his bodyguard
Right after, around 11:17 pm, the white Cadillac with Orlando Anderson pulled up to the right of Tupac boxing them in, and a hand emerged holding a firearm https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (2:50-3:13)
Orlando opened fire on the vehicle https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (0:00-0:13) Suge Knight claims to have tried to shield Tupac as Tupac noticed the gun and began climbing into the backseat https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (3:14-3:48) Sadly, it was to no avail. Suge Knight was grazed in the head and hitting Tupac 4 times with one bullet hitting his pinky finger and piercing through his hand
another hit his thigh bone, ricocheted into his abdomen and floating in his pelvis,
and another puncturing his chest and being lodged in his lung https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (13:07-13:25)
Immediately after, Suge Knight pulled off racing towards the hospital to try and save Tupac’s life. Orlando in the white Cadillac used the melee to go the other direction while Frank Alexander, the body guard followed Suge Knight https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (4:09-4:55) Through the rush Suge recalled that Tupac was still making jokes and keeping it together until he exhaled and echoed the chilling words “I don’t think imma make it this time” https://youtu.be/MGdnR3TDJOw (8:25-9:20)
Their vehicle came to a stop at the heart of the Las Vegas strip at Las Vegas BLVD & Harmon
Cops would surround the scene unsure of the situation and tried to get things under control https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (5:21-5:35) Suge concerned for Tupac’s life kept shouting at officers to help his friend. One of the first responders recall prying open the door to find Tupac still alive slumped over https://youtu.be/Zl-Jjm-vWOE (15:33-17:24) Suge was finally subdued to be checked out but was still only concerned about Tupac https://youtu.be/w2P4YFV8cmc (2:35-2:55) According to him, Tupac’s last words at the scene were “F you.” https://youtu.be/Zl-Jjm-vWOE (17:45-19:15) Tupac detested the police due to how they treated minorities and blacks and was adamant about how he felt in his music and voice.
The strip was in chaos. Police and paramedics streaming past, yellow tape cornered all around, just straight madness as the news began to spread of Tupac’s shooting https://youtu.be/qx7drrYiL_s (0:17-0:30) https://youtu.be/qx7drrYiL_s (0:42-1:35) https://youtu.be/qx7drrYiL_s (1:48-1:58)
Pref conferences and news began circulating of the tragedy that occurred. Tupac was rushed to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas in critical condition https://youtu.be/qx7drrYiL_s (2:07-2:23) https://youtu.be/qx7drrYiL_s (4:04-4:29)
At club 662 where his friends like business partner Gobi Rahimi are awaiting his arrival,
news comes that Tupac had been shot, prompting them to rush to the hospital https://youtu.be/cf8mJFJ9xWQ (0:56-1:19)
Tupac’s right lung was removed to try and stop the bleeding, but it still pursued https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (8:55-9:04) https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (1:27-1:55) He was placed on ventilators and induced into a coma to try save his life. With Tupac still fighting for his life, his friends and family began receiving death threats from rivals that they were going to return and finish the job, so they took it upon themselves to stand watch as for some reason, security wasn’t stationed https://youtu.be/MGdnR3TDJOw (3:23-4:56)
September 13th Tupac’s Aunt Gloria Cox
And his mother Afeni Shakur
visited the hospital to be given the news that Tupac’s kidney’s were failing and they had to resuscitate him 3 times https://youtu.be/3FBV9r1WKNM (2:25-3:05) In that moment, at around 4:03 pm his mother made the call to pull the plug and let her son find peace.
Tupac Shakur was officially pronounced dead https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (15:58-16:36)
Tupac was a prominent figure. His movement was monumental. It was no surprise law enforcement was worried about a war breaking out due to his murder, and sure enough it came swift resulting in many casualties and deaths https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (11:25-12:01) https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (9:15-9:49)
October 2nd 1996, Orlando Anderson was finally arrested as the main suspect in the murder of Tupac Shakur but the Las Vegas officers stated there wasn’t enough evidence and Orlando was released https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (6:25-7:12) https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (12:08-12:16) https://youtu.be/9WZHQK2Tdo8
By all accounts it appeared someone was blocking the case from being solved and justice found even when everything they had pointed to Orlando being the shooter https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (7:12-7:23) https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (9:00-9:26)
An eyewitness at the scene who was Tupac’s close friend who agreed to testify, was later murdered placing the case at a dead end https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (7:27-7:52) Theories would begin circulating at who was responsible for the murder, and many including Tupac’s bodyguard Frank Alexander became suspicious of Suge Knight. Suge was on record stating that he’s not assisting with case and that’s for the investigators to find out who the killer is not for him to answer that question https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (13:53-14:17) That could have been easily passed up to the street code in the gang culture he lived, but Frank Alexander started looking into things himself and revealed some chilling details. Tupac at the time was not on good terms with Suge Knight. He wanted out of his contract with Death Row records and was not planning to renew his contract when it ended as their were disputes over money and nothing Tupac owed being in his name https://youtu.be/dTeJvSZoAEY (15:04-15:27) In fact, not long before he went to Vegas, it turns out one of the reasons he was so adamant about not going is that he had a huge fight with Suge and reportedly told one of his bodyguards prior he’s a dead man walking https://youtu.be/dTeJvSZoAEY (16:10-16:30) https://youtu.be/dTeJvSZoAEY (16:10-16:30) (16:43-16:51)
Law enforcement would also consider Suge Knight as the mastermind behind the assassination but he was later excluded as a suspect due to lack of evidence https://youtu.be/v3vYEDN87Yc (19:00-19:40) Frank Alexander ultimately believed Tupac was setup and Suge Knight may not be as innocent as he’s portraying in the entire murder https://youtu.be/XVCj4KwPILA (6:48-7:58)
The case seemed to be forever buried, that’s until Orlando’s uncle, Keefe D, went on record years later agreeing to testify on the murder to give him immunity in a case complied against him. In that interview he broke down what happened and stated that Orlando Anderson was in fact the one who pulled the trigger https://youtu.be/x3uoB8zvLdI (2:03-2:38) But just as hope came, hope went, because by the time Keefe D exposed Orlando, he was already murdered in a prior shooting https://youtu.be/oh9DPQBzBD4 (7:56-8:06) https://youtu.be/PsxMstLZORk (0:00-0:22)
What allegedly happened was Orlando was riding through Campton and saw someone who owed his money and confronted the person. Tempers heighted and the altercation escalated into a shootout which Orlando never walked away from https://youtu.be/9eC4Sdiy9g8 (7:46-8:37)
That death was memorialized into history when Tupac rival Biggie Smalls also lost his life to gun violence on March 9th 1997, less than a year later https://youtu.be/87difzEIQ-U (0:11-1:04) https://youtu.be/87difzEIQ-U (2:02-2:15) Hip Hop was forever changed by the bloodshed of that era. Today, Tupac’s music and legacy still lives on, and from the magnitude of it, it won’t ever die. Rest in peace Tupac Shakur https://youtu.be/pNSRx14s7B4 (4:18-4:43)
