Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet the legendary Tupac Amaru Shakur before his murder, but we have a deep connection that lives on.  

Not only was Tupac born on my birthday. He passed away 22 years ago today on my son's birthday. Hands down, he is the best rapper to ever pick up a mic, and today we remember the very talented, highly intelligent and wide awake brother we also know as Mackaveli. He was waaaaay ahead of his time.

Below 7 facts about my birthday twin you probably didn't know.

1. When Tupac was born his mom gave him the name Lesane Parish Crooks. Less than a year later, his mom, Afeni Shakur, renamed him Tupac Amaru Shakur after a South American revolutionary, who led the indigenous revolt against Spanish rule. The revolutionary would be executed by his oppressors. Quite befitting. "Tupac Amaru" means "shining serpent." "Shakur" means "thankful to God" in Arabic.

2. Afeni Shakur was an active member of the Black Panther party. Tupac was born one month and three days after she was acquitted of charges of "Conspiracy against the United States government and New York landmarks".

3. Although he repped West Side to the death, Pac was actually born on the East Coast in East Harlem, New York. 

4. When he was 13, he played Travis Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, which was performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem to raise funds for Jessie Jackson's presidential campaign.

 5. He attended Baltimore School of Arts where he took ballet classes. He also played The Mouse Catcher in the Nutcracker.

6. Pac started rapping in Baltimore under the stage name MC New York.

7. Shakur was supposed to play a lead role in Menace II Society, but after an altercation with co-director Allen Hughes, he was replaced with Larenz Tate.

Below are my top Tupac Favs. Well.... at least those I could find with an edited version. :)

1. ALL EYES ON ME

2. AMBITIONZ AZ A RIDAH

3. HIT 'EM UP

4. BRENDA'S GOT A BABY

5. I AIN'T MAD ATCHA

6. SMILE

7. DEAR MAMA

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