Tupac Shakur has been immortalized with a street named after him in the city of Oakland, California; between Van Buren and Grand Avenue on MacArthur Blvd is officially Tupac Shakur Way.
Oakland’s history with Tupac Shakur began when he started his music career here in the 90’s with Digital Underground and later recorded his first album. The city held a ceremony this past Friday, where family, friends and fans were all welcomed to honor the iconic rapper.
Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, Tupac’s sister, spoke at the ceremony, saying: “On these streets, you can’t mention my brother’s name if you are still taking a Black man’s life. It’s a moment that I know my brother would be proud of. Establishing love and peace in the Oakland community especially mattered to him. Being able to represent safety to his people mattered to him.”
Multiple others spoke in honor of Tupac, including Sway Calloway, E-40, and Oakland City Council member Caroll Fife. After leading the charge to get Tupac Shakur Way approved, which was approved unanimously last year, Fife spoke as her honorary vision came to fruition. She said: “The same things that made who Tupac was, what he was fighting for and trying to lift up through his music is what we are fighting for today.”
Sway Calloway addressed the crowd to speak about Tupac, saying: “He’s a leader, he’s an innovator, his duality, his fight for the people. He stood 10 toes down, and the fight that he fought for us resonated all around the globe.” In a similar nature, E-40 touched on Tupac’s impact on the world: “He spoke up for our people, our culture. He is the greatest rapper to ever did it, man. He did so much in so little time.”
The memory of Tupac has been very much in the forefront of the public’s mind as of late, with Duane “Keefe D” Davis facing multiple charges for the murder of the iconic rapper. Davis, who pleaded not guilty last week, has been charged with murder with the use of a deadly weapon and intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang.
With the trail is set to begin in 2025, hopes are high that the public as well as Shakur’s family will finally get closure and some sense of justice.