Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known by his stage name “2pac”, was born on June 16, 1971, in Upper Manhattan, New York City, to Billy Garland and Afeni Shakur. Tupac was initially named Lesane Parish Crooks, but his mother changed his name when he was one year old. He is considered one of the most successful and influential rappers in the history of rap. Tupac’s music was heavily focused on addressing social issues plaguing minorities.
Tupac’s parents were prominent political activists who were part of the Black Panther Party. When Tupac was born, his mother renamed him after Tupac Amaru II, a Peruvian revolutionary. She said she wanted Tupac to be named after a revolutionary, that he was part of a culture, not just part of a neighborhood. Through his schooling, Tupac would be exposed to different walks of life and different ideologies and principles. This would later fuel the activism he would incorporate into his lyrical composition.
Tupac attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he studied jazz, ballet, acting, and poetry. He moved to California and attended Tamalpais High School, where he performed in theatre productions. Tupac began his rap career as a small-time performer in New York in 1989. He went on to become one of the most important figures of rap and hip-hop. He soon became one of the most successful rappers in history. He would get shot on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
Tupac became famous in America and in other countries around the world. His revolutionary new style of rap and lyrical composition introduced many people to the genre and showed them that rap could be used as a tool. His sudden and unexpected death turned Tupac into one of the most well-known rap artists of the century. With his short life and huge fame, many people wanted to get to know the rap legend at a more personal level. Was Tupac married? Did he have relationships? Was Tupac gay? Did he sire any children? Let’s take a closer look at the hip-hop icon’s personal life and see if we can uncover the truth behind his sexuality.
VOTE: What was Tupac’s Sexuality?
Tupac’s Relationships
As he came into prominence, Tupac got into relationships with several women. He had even been married at one point. Despite this, many still maintain that Tupac was gay. Some have even made the argument that his gangster persona was simply a character he played as he was trained in acting. Those closest to Tupac maintain that Tupac was simply soft-spoken. Regardless, let’s take a look at the rap legend’s former relations. From musicians to actors, we’ll look back at all the women Tupac dated.
Tupac and Madonna (1993)
The pair had been rumored to be in a relationship since the early 90s, but neither Tupac nor Madonna admitted to the pairing. It wasn’t until 2015 that the pop singer all but confirmed the relationship.
One time I was mad at [David Letterman] when I said the f-word a lot, but the rest of the time was good… I was in a weird mood that day. I was dating Tupac Shakur at the time, and he had got me all riled up about life in general. So, when I went on the show, I was feeling very gangsta.”
Madonna, interview with Howard Stern, 2015
In 2017, TMZ posted a letter that Tupac had reportedly written to Madonna in 1995. In the letter, Tupac had expressed his disappointment in their separation, which had reportedly been linked to their relationship being an interracial one.
Can u understand that? For you to be seen with a black man wouldn’t in any way jeopardize your career… But for me at least in my previous perception I felt due to my ‘image’ I would be letting down half of the people who made me what I thought I was. I never meant to hurt you.”
Tupac, an excerpt from a letter to Madonna, 1995
Tupac and Rosie Perez (1990s)
Rosie Perez was a seasoned actress and had a close personal bond with Tupac. Though most didn’t consider them romantically involved, Tupac and Perez were often seen together during big events. The pair attended the Soul Train Music Awards together.
Tupac and Lisa Lopes (1992)
Lisa Lopes was a singer from the girl group TLC. She and Tupac met, and Lopes was immediately captivated by Tupac’s charm and charisma. They had an intense and passionate relationship but eventually drifted apart due to increasing demands from their respective careers.
Tupac and Salli Richardson (1993)
Salli Richardson was an actress best known for her roles in films such as “A Low Down Dirty Shame” and “Antwone Fisher.” The pair crossed paths in 1993, which sparked a quick but intense relationship. The pair eventually drifted apart after dating for several months.
Tupac and Whitney Houston (1994)
The famed singer and pop star Whitney Houston reportedly had an affair with the rap legend over the period of a few months. Houston’s former husband himself had made the claim. Houston and Tupac eventually parted ways without much fanfare or gossip.
Tupac and Keisha Morris (1994-1996)
Keisha Morris and Tupac met in 1994 at a nightclub in New York and quickly hit it off. They would eventually get married by April of 1995. Tupac was in jail at the time, and his incarceration may have been one of the strains in their relationship. Their marriage was annulled less than a year later, in March 1996. Morris and Tupac remained friends until Tupac’s death.
Things were getting very different once he got bail, and I felt like I wasn’t needed anymore… It wasn’t a good feeling. OK, of course, you don’t know from being so young. But I just felt like, ‘Wow, OK, it was over.’ Like, ‘OK, I don’t need you anymore. I’m getting out.’ That’s it.”
Keisha Morris, interview with XXL Magazine, 2011
Tupac and Jara Everett (1995-1996)
Tupac and author Jara Everett had reportedly begun dating in 1995. It was rumored that they were in a relationship when Tupac died. Despite their relationship being short-lived, Everett remembers Tupac fondly in her autobiography, “Jump Off: The Real Truth,” where she stated: “I would have to say my favorite was Tupac… He was so down to earth, and he was a different person behind closed doors. What people don’t know about Tupac is that he was a wonderful person, and all that stuff in the public was not the real Tupac.”
Tupac and Kidada Jones (1995-1996)
Kidada Jones and Tupac met under unfavourable circumstances. The rapper had made undesirable comments about Kidada’s parents’ marriage, Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. The rapper would later apologize, and in a few short months, Jones and Tupac were inseparable. They were reportedly in a relationship when Tupac died.
Tupac was the love of my life… He and I lived together for four months, and then he was murdered in Las Vegas in 1996. It was the most horrible thing that ever happened to me.”
Kidada Jones, in her father’s autobiography, 2001
Tupac and Jada Pinkett (1990s)
Tupac and Jada Pinkett have been friends since they were young. Tupac considers Pinkett to be one of his oldest and closest friends. Though their relationship was believed to be platonic, many had speculated that the pair may have been involved romantically at one point.
Pinkett later came out and stated that she had once turned down Tupac’s marriage proposal in 1995. Tupac had also been heard saying, “Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life. We’ll be old together. Jada can ask me to do anything, and she can have it.” Pinkett also had this to say about her relationship with Tupac: “[Tupac] was one of my best friends. He was like a brother. It was beyond friendship for us. The type of relationship we had, you only get that once in a lifetime.”
Tupac and Queen Latifa at a Gay Club
Queen Latifa has stated in an interview with “Hot Ones” that she and the late rapper had been together at a gay club. They were reportedly touring together and were in San Francisco during a New Year’s Eve celebration. Part of their evening was a party in a “cool gay club.” They all went, but Tupac’s arrival was announced, and the “crowd went wild.” Partygoers were reportedly “tearing his clothes off.” Latifa states they had incredible fun that night, but she never felt that Tupac was gay.
Was Tupac Gay?
No, Tupac was not gay. There were speculations and gossip that Tupac could have been, at the very least, bisexual, this was never confirmed. Though he never commented, confirmed, or denied his sexuality, Tupac was openly supportive of the LGBTQ+ Community and against homophobia and discrimination. He was an advocate of equality and respect for individual choices. Tupac has stated that he believed in a benevolent God who loved all regardless of their gender.
Featured Image: “Tupac Shakur”, by John Seb Barber, licensed under CC BY 2.0 DEED