(singing) Legendary rapper, Tupac Shakur was honored today with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 27 years after he was gunned down in Las Vegas. Friends, family, and fans came together to remember Tupac’s legacy.
Sharon (00:25):
KTLA’s Samantha Cortese joins us live from Hollywood with more on today’s ceremony. Sam?
Samantha Cortese (00:31):
Sharon, Micah, I know we just want to listen to the song after a few minutes of hearing it. Don’t worry. You’ll get plenty of nods with that, and a lot of other hits from Tupac. Fans say, “This is long overdue.” Tupac has been gone longer than he was with us making music for only five years, but now his legacy lives on with the quintessential celebrity symbol, a star on the Walk of Fame.
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Now California is showing its love back to Tupac. Tupac Shakur now has a star on the Walk of Fame. It’s on Hollywood and Argyle in front of the Amoeba Music Record Store. Fans came from all over for the ceremony. They said his legacy transcends rap, highlighting the struggles of inner city communities.
Mr. La Bell (01:22):
He’s a real person. He’s a writer. He’s a singer. He’s an activist. He tried to give world change with peace for people.
Big Boy Emcee (01:30):
Though his career lasted just five years, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most complex and prolific artists of his generation.
Samantha Cortese (01:39):
Tupac’s album, All Eyes On Me and his Greatest Hits collection are now certified Diamond and among the top selling albums of all time.
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Tupac was born in New York, but joined Los Angeles’s Death Row Records becoming unapologetically West Coast.
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Fueling a feud between East Coast and West Coast hip hop, 27 years ago, 25-year-old Tupac was shot and killed in Las Vegas. His killer was never caught.
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Shakur’s 1995 song, Dear Mama, became the third hiphop recording to be entered into the Library of Congress.
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Sekyiwa Shakur (02:29):
From the first time he stepped foot on the stage of the Apollo Theater at 13 years old before anyone recognized his name, he knew he had the dream to have a star here on the Walk of Fame.
Samantha Cortese (02:45):
Tupac’s sisters saw that dream become reality.
Sekyiwa Shakur (02:48):
His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today.
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Samantha Cortese (03:00):
And speaking of Pasadena, Sharon, Micah, a little Tupac trivia that fans probably know already. Tupac went to John Muir High School Prom in Pasadena. In Hollywood, Samantha Cortese, KTLA 5 News.
Micah (03:12):
Remarkable body of work in such a short period of time. Sam, thank you.