Died On This Date (September 13, 1996) Tupac Shakur / Hip Hop Great

Tupac Shakur (aka 2Pac)
June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996

The last known photo taken of Tupac Shakur, just 20 minutes before the shooting. With Suge Knight.Tupac Shakur was a hip hop artist whose professional career basically began as a roadie and backup dancer for Digital Underground in the late ’80s, and ended as one of the biggest selling artists of all time.  He has sold upwards of 75 million albums before and since his untimely death.  Shakur’s albums generally portrayed a life growing up with violence, racism and the hardships some face growing up in the inner city.  For the most part, his songs professed social and racial equality.  Shakur was no stranger to the judicial system.  In 1995, he was convicted for sexual assault, which many believe never happened, and was sentenced to prison.  While serving his time, his album Me Against The World was released.  He became the only artist in history to have a #1 album while incarcerated.  On September 7, 1996, was involved in an altercation following a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas.  Later that evening while riding in a car driven by Suge Knight, a car pulled up beside Knight’s vehicle.  At least one occupant fired around a dozen shots into the car, hitting Shakur four times.  The 25 year-old Tupac Shakur died from injuries sustained during the shooting six days later.  His murder has never been solved.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

All Eyez On Me (Remastered) - 2Pac

 

Died On This Date (September 13, 2008) Nappy Brown / Early R&B Great

Napoleon “Nappy” Brown
October 12, 1929 – September 13, 2008

Nappy Brown was one of the most popular R&B singers during the ’50s, often touring with Alan Freed’s rock ‘n roll reviews.  He was part of that first wave of black performers whose music was embraced by young white audiences.  He had two significant hits during his early career, “Night Time Is The Right Time,” and “Don’t Be Angry,” which made it to#2 on the singles chart in 1955.  Like so many R&B stars of his era, Brown’s music fell out of favor with American audiences during the mid ’60s so he all but retired from the business.  He was coaxed out of retirement in the early ’80s and continued to record and tour up until the year of his death.  Nappy Brown passed away in his sleep on September 13, 2008.  He was 78 years old.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Long Time Coming - Nappy Brown