For many people who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, the name Tupac Shakur brings back memories of an era when rap music was gaining massive popularity across the world, including Nigeria.
Tupac Shakur, popularly known as 2Pac, remains one of the most popular and influential rappers in the history of hip-hop. His music was particularly popular among people who are now in their late 30s, 40s and older, many of whom grew up listening to songs from the American rap legend.
However, Tupac’s life was cut short in September 1996 when he was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He died six days later at the age of just 25.
For nearly 30 years, his murder remained one of the biggest mysteries in the history of the music industry, with no one convicted over the killing.
That has now changed.
A Las Vegas jury has found former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon over his role in Tupac’s killing, bringing a major breakthrough in a case that remained unresolved for almost three decades.
Keffe D was not accused of personally firing the shots that killed Tupac. Prosecutors argued that he orchestrated the attack and provided the gun used in the shooting.
Interestingly, much of the case against Keffe D was built around his own words. Over the years, he had spoken about the circumstances surrounding Tupac’s killing in interviews, documentaries, conversations with investigators and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend.
His lawyers argued that some of those accounts were exaggerated or fabricated for publicity and financial gain and maintained that there was insufficient evidence to convict him.
The jury, however, rejected the defence and found the 63-year-old guilty after less than three hours of deliberations.
For millions of Tupac fans who have waited nearly 30 years for answers over his death, particularly those who grew up listening to his music, the conviction represents a significant moment in one of the most talked-about murder cases in entertainment history.
Keffe D could face life imprisonment and has indicated that he intends to appeal the conviction.