Hip hop fans celebrate Tupac’s birthday in Kigali

It’s been 20 years since American rapper Tupac Shakur was killed on September 13, 1996, at the age of 25. Each year, on June 16, fans across the world celebrate the birthday of the rapper—who became one of the most iconic figures in music history in the hip hop world because of incredible music and talent. In Kigali, Tupac’s 45th birthday was held at Quelque Part Bar and Restaurant, on Thursday evening, where fans and hip hop artistes gathered to celebrate his life and his timeless music. The artistes in attendance included Bull Dog, Babla and Bac-T, among others. Fans are served with drinks. The birthday party was organised by Diogene Ntakirutimana aka Caguwa. In his memory, all the walls of Quelque Part Bar and Restaurant were decorated with Tupac’s photographs and a selection of his music was played to keep his legacy alive. The event included performances by rappers Bac-T and Miss Confidence. Among their renditions was Tupac’s famous songs-Hit ‘Em Up and Dear Mama, Only God Can Judge Me, All Eyez on Me, California Love, and Changes, among others. Revelers share Tupac Shakur’s birthday cake at Quelque Part Bar and Restaurant. At the same event, Tupac’s mother Afeni Shakur, who passed away on May 2, this year, was also honoured. Afeni was a former Black Panther and political activist; she died at the age of 69. Tupac was also a talented and accomplished actor, starring in such early 1990s films like Juice, Poetic Justice and Above the Rim. “Tupac Shakur was one of the most talented and influential pop stars of the nineties,” Sarah Tesi, one of the fans at the birthday party described him. “His music, praise for women and fight against violence — made him one of the most adored talents in the world. Though Tupac died 20 years ago, his spirit is still with us and his music will live forever,” she added. There was also a moment of silence as revellers at the party paid tribute to the legend, and thereafter a cake was cut and served to the crowd. Drinks and food were served in plenty, as DJ Bashiir asked the crowd to raise their glasses and toast to celebrate the- Life Goes On star’s 45th birthday. Hip hop artistes Babla (standing) and Bac-T at the party. Tupac, whose real name was Lesane Parish Crooks, was born in East Harlem, New York City in 1971 to two Black Panthers. His family moved to northern California when he was 17. Through his music, acting career and overall public persona, Tupac had proved resilient, so his fans held hope that he would survive the 1996 attack that left him hospitalized for six days and on September 13, 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur succumbed to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. In his death he has remained firmly rooted as a hip-hop legend, but at the same time his legend has surpassed musical genre. Tupac was more than a rapper or poet or a thespian; he is a motivator, an inspiration and an American classic — even in death. Tupac’s 45th birthday cake. Rapper Bull Dog takes a minute of silence to remember the hip hop legend Tupac Amaru Shakur. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Hip hop fans celebrate Tupac’s birthday in Kigali