The recent dedication of Tupac Shakur Way in Oakland, California, has sparked renewed interest in the life and legacy of the iconic rapper. While the street renaming celebrates his deep connection to Oakland, many fans still ask: Where Is Tupac From originally?
Tupac Shakur, a name synonymous with 90s hip-hop and profound social commentary, was born in New York City. His birthplace was East Harlem, Manhattan, on June 16, 1971. Born Lesane Parish Crooks, he was later renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur. While New York is his birthplace, Tupac’s life journey took him to different places that significantly shaped his identity and career.
His early years were spent moving between New York City and Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Baltimore School for the Arts, showcasing his early talents in acting and poetry. However, a pivotal move to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s marked the beginning of his strong association with the West Coast, and particularly with Oakland.
Oakland became more than just a place of residence for Tupac; it became a part of his identity. He moved to Oakland with his mother in the late 1980s and lived there in the early 1990s, a formative period in his rise to fame. As Oakland City Councilwoman Carroll Fife stated, “He claimed Oakland. He said Oakland gave him his game.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the Tupac Shakur Way dedication ceremony.
Rappers MC Hammer, E-40, Money-B, and Ray Luv at Tupac Shakur Way dedication ceremony in Oakland, California
At the ceremony, iconic Bay Area figures like E-40, MC Hammer, Too Short, and Money-B gathered to honor Tupac’s Oakland connection. MC Hammer, who knew Tupac during his final months, declared him “hands down, the greatest rapper ever.” Tupac’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, reflecting on his legacy, hoped his spirit would live on in the streets of Oakland and in people’s hearts.
The dedication of Tupac Shakur Way, a section of MacArthur Boulevard, serves as a permanent reminder of Tupac’s embrace of Oakland and the city’s reciprocal embrace of him. While Tupac Shakur’s roots trace back to New York City and Baltimore, it was in Oakland where he truly honed his craft and solidified his place as a legendary figure in hip-hop history. The street renaming is not just about where Tupac lived, but about honoring the place he considered integral to his development and artistry.
