The first ever Estate-authenticated Biography of the late rapping legend Tupac Shakur is set for release later this year in October.
Considered one of the most influential rappers of all time, and a pop culture icon whose popularity has grown posthumously, Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996. He was only 25 at the time of his death.
Staci Robinson, who knew Shakur as a young man, is the writer of the biography titled “Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography.” Set to be published by Penguin Random House (UK), the book will be released on October 24, 2023. Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother has given her approval to Staci Robinson for the book.
According to the Publisher, the biography will explore the life of the “controversial” artist who “continues to be one of the most misunderstood, complicated and prolific figures in modern history.” The book, the publisher adds “peels back the myths and unpacks the complexities that have shadowed his existence.”
“My hope is that this book offers a new lens through which to explore Tupac’s complicated yet beautiful legacy,” the author of the book Staci Robinson said.
“I wanted to help readers understand him and view him not just as a rap artist and actor and entertainer, but as a human being – a man with a passionate message, a son who listened to his mother, and a loving brother.
“Most importantly, this book is to help readers understand how he has become a global icon, one who will never be forgotten.”
The publisher has describedTupac as: “An artist, poet, actor and revolutionary, Tupac Shakur is one of the greatest and most controversial artists of all time. More than a quarter of a century after his tragic death in 1996 at the age of just 25, he continues to be one of the most misunderstood, complicated, and prolific figures in modern history. Tupac’s unapologetic lyrics, for which he was villainised by many at the time, read in these pages as prophecy. His cry of outrage in a country that repeatedly told Black men and women that their lives did not matter, continues to inspire his fans around the world.
“In Tupac Shakur, Staci Robinson peels back the myths and unpacks the complexities that have shadowed Tupac’s existence. With exclusive access to his private notebooks, letters, unpublished lyrics and uncensored conversations with those who loved and knew him best, Robinson tells a powerful story of a life defined by politics and art and a man driven by equal parts brilliance and impulsiveness.”
The biography will be available in print, digital, and audiobook.