Shakur achieved further critical and commercial success with his follow-up albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. With the release of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, he became a central figure in West Coast hip hop for his conscious rap lyrics. Raised by his mother, he relocated to Baltimore in 1984 and to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. Shakur was born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members. Much of Shakur's music has been noted for addressing contemporary social issues that plagued inner cities, and he is considered a symbol of activism against inequality.

Considered one of the most influential rappers of all time, Shakur is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. 'As we prepare to celebrate his legacy … let’s remember him for that which we loved most … his way with words,' Smith wrote in the caption, the evening before his birthday.Tupac Amaru Shakur ( / ˈ t uː p ɑː k ʃ ə ˈ k ʊər/ TOO-pahk shə- KOOR born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), better known by his stage name 2Pac and later by his alias Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. The artist, who Snoop Dogg once dubbed 'revolutionary' and 'the greatest rapper of all time,' died at 25 in 1996 after a drive-by shooting. Smith, 49, theorized the poem, titled 'Lost Soulz,' was the original concept for his song 'Lost Souls,' featured on the soundtrack for the 1997 crime thriller 'Gang Related.' She thought Shakur might have written the poem while imprisoned on Rikers Island in New York after he was charged in a sexual assault case in the '90s.

I was like, 'I don't think he would have minded if I shared this with you guys.' '

I don't think this one has ever been published, honestly. 'Over the years, Pac wrote me many letters and many poems. She and Shakur were friends beginning in their teen years, both attending the Baltimore School for the Arts. 'Of course, I went down memory lane,' the 'Red Table Talk' host reflected in an Instagram video shared Tuesday ahead of his birthday Wednesday. Jada Pinkett Smith is celebrating the legacy of rap icon Tupac Shakur on what would have been his 50th birthday with one of his poems she says 'you may have never heard before.'

2pac shakur