In 1994, Tupac brought together some fellow rappers (his stepbrother Morpeme, Big Syke, Macadoshis, The Rated R and Stretch) in a group called Thug Life. While still a member of the group, Tupac went on to release his first solo album, 2Pacalypse Now (1991).Īctive period: 1993–1995 Thug Life ( Wikimedia Commons) Tupac joined them in 1990 as a roadie anc backup dancer, but later got his big debut rapping on the group’s ‘ Same Song’, which not only appeared on the soundtrack of the 1991 Dan Aykroyd film Nothing but Trouble, but also brought Digital Underground (including Tupac) a cameo appearance in the film. Tupac would soon after join them, which was the end of Strictly Dope.Īctive period: 1987–2008 Digital Underground ( )ĭigital Underground was a comical, yet socially conscious Bay Area rap group founded by Greg “Shock G” Jacobs (also known as Humpty Hump) and Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright. It was Steinberg who introduced Tupac to Atron Gregory, N.W.A.’s road manager who also managed Bay Area rap group Digital Underground. She did everything in her power to help Tupac in general, and launching his hiphop carreer specifically. At this point, Tupac was living with Leila Steinberg, who ran a poetry and music workshop. The style of their songs was a mix between socially aware and feel-good, whimysy rhymes, such as ‘ Panther Power’ and ‘The Case of the Misplaced Mic’. While living in a housing project called “The Jungle” in Marin City, California, Tupac started a rap group with his friend Ray Luv: Strictly Dope. An overview.Īctive period: 1988-1989 Ray Luv and Tupac ( ) It was his way to help other, young, talented rappers. Although Tupac was of course foremost a solo artist, throughout his short career, he was always involved in various rap groups.

Tupac r u still down 1995