Tupac Shakur Is Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Today in Hip-Hop
On this day, April 7, in hip-hop history...
2017: Tupac Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7. The other members of his class were Pearl Jam, Journey, Yes, Joan Baez, and Electric Light Orchestra.
Tupac Shakur had a huge impact in his short life. He was truly a beacon, committed to uplifting Black people and shining a light on the realities of life through his music. Getting his start as a member of Digital Underground, he eventually set out on his own, and made a name for himself quickly. Starting with his debut album 2Pacalypse Now, 'Pac asserted himself as a spokesman for inner-city strife, someone who was well-versed in social issues.
His follow-up album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..., is where Tupac became a star. The two singles "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head Up" were huge successes and turned him into a household name. Me Against the World, All Eyez On Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory were his last three albums, all critically acclaimed. Unfortunately, Tupac lost his life in a Las Vegas shooting in 1996, yet still cemented his legacy as an artist in such a relatively small time frame.
When it came time for Tupac to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his close friend Snoop Dogg did the honors. Shakur also became the sixth hip-hop act to enter the Hall, following the Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Public Enemy and N.W.A.