In the mid-1990s, the classic rap rivalry between 2Pac and Biggie became so influentially divisive that it played a defining role in the memorable East Coast vs. West Coast beef. Over time, the consequential feud amassed the involvement of criminal organizations, the LAPD, numerous record executives like P. Diddy, and a plethora of rappers such as Tha Dogg Pound and Mobb Deep. Ultimately one of the most significant eras of hip-hop music was severely altered when 2pac and Biggie were murdered less than a year apart. Since then, fans have debated several topics related to the highly publicized bi-coastal conflict involving 2Pac and Biggie nearly 30 years ago. Questions about which rapper was better remain as contested as the skepticism regarding who took their lives and why. Another inquiry many people, inside and outside the entertainment industry, cannot seem to agree on is 2Pac's hometown. Technically, he was born in New York City (East Harlem) but lived in Baltimore for about four years while attending high school before moving across the country with his mother, Afeni Shakur, to Oakland, California. So, although he was raised on the East Coast, it's commonly known that he was discovered and mentored in Oakland by an educator named Leila Steinberg, who taught 2Pac's poetry class/writing workshops. This occurred shortly before he joined an Oakland-based rap group called Digital Underground, and the rest...as they say...is history.

The emotional connection between 2Pac and Oakland runs so deep that several recording artists from the area released songs dedicated to the late rapper shortly after his passing. His first movie, Poetic Justice, even took place in the city of Oakland. Decades after his passing, on June 16, 2015, the officials in the area declared a citywide "Tupac Shakur Day." When he was alive, 2Pac reciprocated his love and support from the city where he "got his game" and big break as a recording artist.

"I give all my love to Oakland; if I'ma claim somewhere, I'ma claim Oakland, even if I don't live there," 2Pac said.

Soon, 2Pac will be forever immortalized in his old Bay Area stomping grounds. On Tuesday, the Oakland City Council approved renaming a section of MacArthur Boulevard between Van Buren Avenue and Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt. In the near future, the area will officially be known as "Tupac Shakur Way." Upon making the announcement, Caroll Fife, a Councilmember of Oakland's District 3, shared her thoughts on the monumental proposal she initiated.

"Tupac Shakur’s legacy will continue through his contributions to art and social outreach, through his family and fans, touching countless lives of children and elders over the years while alive and after his death, taken too young by gun violence," Fife said.

The Tupac Shakur Foundation will pay for the new street signs. According to the City Council Legislation, the commemorative effort will be one of many as Oakland intends to continue to honor the late rapper's contributions to society and the local community.

Source: The Oaklandside