The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Tupac Shakur’s life, legacy to be subject of massive exhibit
LOS ANGELES » Tupac Shakur’s handwritten lyrics from classic songs such as “California Love” and “Dear Momma” along with galleries that pay homage to his upbringing and late mother are among the features in a massive touring museum exhibit.
The Shakur Estate announced that “Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free” will open Jan. 21 in Los Angeles. The exhibit is described as a fully immersive, thought-provoking museum experience that explores the life and legacy of the late rapper.
Shakur, one of the most prolific figures in hip-hop, died in 1996 from gunshot wounds. He was 25.
The exhibit is expected to spend six months in Los Angeles with the hopes of touring other cities.
“There are thousands of pieces of paper, handwritten pieces of paper — which is everything from his lyrics to all of the songs and poetry that you know down to a grocery list for a birthday party,” said Arron Saxe, president of Kinfolk Management + Media, who is working with Shakur’s estate.
Saxe has worked with estates for other iconic music artists including Otis Redding and Donny Hathaway.
“The whole point of this exhibit was to not only show the kaleidoscopic nature of Tupac, but also show how he is relatable,” Saxe said. “There are incredible pieces of clothing. This exhibit is also a mix of contemporary art and technology too. Many of the artifacts have never been seen before.”
The 20,000-square-foot exhibit will showcase Shakur’s music, poetry, wardrobe, activism journey and other items in galleries.
One of the galleries will be dedicated to the rapper’s late mother, Afeni Shakur, the former Black Panther who inspired the work of her son. She died in 2016.
Saxe said Shakur’s mother is the “guiding light” of the exhibition.
“Afeni was the baddest Black woman to walk the planet,” said Jamal Joseph, the rapper’s godfather and special advisor to the estate, in a statement. “She raised awareness and shifted the atmosphere wherever she went. Tupac’s brilliance shined brighter than the sun. He lived and moved with creative — revolutionary — fearless-passion fueled speed of a comet. Afeni and Pac challenged, reimagined, and transformed history.”