A decade after his death, Tupac Shakur still lives on as the rapper who always lived up to his wild image. Rapping of gunfights, gang rivalries, violent sex, and the ?Thug Life?, he was nabbed, jailed, shot and then murdered over these same themes. Known as an exceptional rapper and an extraordinary composer, Tupac was often hyped as the Marvin Gay of hip-hop, complicated but talented, however a ?Trouble Man? within himself.

Boosting his music career into a triumphant film career, Tupac was one of the hardest working men in the show business, whipping five albums, five movies and several guest performances in just within five years!

Tupac started as a back-up dancer for a northern California rap group, Digital Undergound, notorious for P-Funk inspired sex song. Then he began rapping with the group but later left to pursue a solo career. In 1991, he released his debut album, 2Pacalyse Now, which led to parental chaos, pressure of censorship and a heap of scandals and gossips.

His successful acting career started with Juice, a film that opened gunfire in theaters and censorship to the movie poster. It was followed with the hardcore masterpiece, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z, that answered to the gossips surrounding him. The movie featured appearances by Ice-T and Ice Cube, two other notorious West Coast rappers. It initiated the two breakthrough singles, "Keep Ya Head Up" and "I Get Around."

He starred in Poetic Vehicle, one more sneak into the weak side of this intricate artist and Above the Rim, a basketball film with a soundtrack produced by Dr. Dre, former N.W.A. rapper, and current A-list rap producer.

When Tupac was nabbed in several incidents including an attack and a rape charge, a number of controversies ensued.

He did two more films (Gridlock'd and Gang Related), had several guest performances on other rappers' records and did a pseudo-follow up record entitled The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory before he was murdered down in Las Vegas in September 13, 1996.

His death was a significant blow to the rap society and fired up the already scorching East vs. West rivalry. Most people considered his death was planned by competing label Bad Boy and their main men Sean "Puffy" Combs and rapper Notorious B.I.G., who later gunned down himself in Los Angeles. However, these theories continued to be rumors in the already celebrated, iconoclastic story of Tupac.

A predictive and creative artist to say the least, Tupac managed a career of continuous strings of controversy, however also filled with various accomplishments and triumphs.

A hero to some, a victim to others, and a legend by all, hail, Tupac!