Tupac’s Father Releases Tribute Album From Behind Bars

Thursday - May 25, 2006 by Janeé Bolden
Tupac Shakur

Dr. Mutulu Shakur, the father of slain hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, will release a tribute album commemorating his son’s 35th birthday next month.

A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle, which features big names in hip-hop as well as incarcerated rappers, continues Dr. Shakur’s work with his sons, Tupac and Mopreme. In addition to their Thug Code constitution, written to decrease gang violence, the project was first envisioned during prison visits between Dr. Shakur and his sons.

Dr. Mutulu Shakur is currently imprisoned in a U.S. Federal Prison in Florida. He has served 19 years in prison after being convicted in 1987 for alleged bank robbery incidents the government claimed the committed to help finance Black Liberation Movement. Since his arrest, Shakur has maintained his innocence and is regarded as a political prisoner by many.

In addition to the CD itself, the album also includes a printing of the Thug Code constitution as part of a 16-page booklet as well as a preview chapter of N 2 Da Gutter, Dr. Shakur’s unreleased historical fiction novel about Tupac.

A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle is being released by Kent Entertainment imprint First Kut in association with Toronto hip-hop activist Raoul Juneja’s Lyrical Knockout Entertainment. Juneja, who also goes by Deejay Ra, co-executive produced the album with Dr. Shakur.

The album features new music by the Outlawz, Tupac’s siblings Nzingha and Mopreme, Tupac producer Johnny J, TQ, Imaan Faith and T-Jay, among others. Half of the proceeds from album sales will benefit inner-city health and education initiatives started by Dr. Shakur.

Dr. Shakur’s A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle is due in stores on June 16.