The legend that is Tupac Shakur is getting the museum treatment in Los Angeles right now after an opening of an exhibit at the Grammy Museum.
Called “All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac Shakur,” the exhibit showcases the performer’s poems, lyrics and handwritten notes he wrote before his death in 1996. It also includes vintage performance footage, interviews and outfits he wore.
Since his death the artist’s legend has only grown larger and more iconic—at one point his fans had even convinced themselves that he was still alive.
The memorabilia in the exhibit came from the Tupac Shakur estate, which is run by his mother, Afeni Shakur. Afeni was at the opening, in addition to Tupac’s stepbrother, his sister and members of the Outlawz, Kastro and E.D.I. Mean. The event included a panel that featured Mean, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, skateboarder Paul Rodriguez, Digital Underground’s Money B, Poetic Justice director John Singleton, Compton rapper YG and others who knew Tupac well.
When the exhibit was announced, the museum’s Executive Director Robert Santelli said in a statement that “it is an honor to be the first museum to acknowledge Tupac’s legacy and to bring context to what was an incredible career.”
“Tupac Shakur was one of the most original and important of all hip hop artists,” he said. “His writings are both powerful and provocative.”
“It means a lot to me that Bob Santelli and the Grammy Museum have chosen to honor my son with their upcoming exhibit of his works,” Ms. Shakur said in the same statement. “Tupac’s writings are an honest reflection of his passions for, and about life. His timeless messages have instilled hope for those who have little, and for others, they serve as a catalyst for change. His words continue to motivate and inspire new generations.”
“All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac Shakur” will be on view at the Grammy Museum until April 22.
