The Oakland, California city council voted unanimously to rename a street after the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
On Tuesday, city council members voted to rename a stretch of MacArthur Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue, where the rapper once lived, as “Tupac Shakur Way.”
The rapper, who was born in New York City and lived in Baltimore before moving to California, claimed he “got his ‘Game’ from Oakland,” according to the city council. resolution.
“… I give all my love to Oakland, if I’m going to claim anywhere, I’m going to claim Oakland,” the rapper said.
The legendary rapper was just 25 years old when he was killed in a Las Vegas shooting in 1996.
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The street name change is not its first local honor. Seven years ago, then-Mayor Elizabeth Schaaf proclaimed June 16, 2016, “Tupac Shakur Day.”
The council resolution noted that Shakur has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide to date. His hit songs include the classics “Changes,” “Keep Ya Head Up,” and “California Love,” where he raps:
“From Oakland to Sac Town
The Bay Area and back
Cali is where they put mack down
Give me Love!”
City council members said the street’s name will remind residents of Shakur’s contributions and ties to the community.
“Tupac Shakur’s legacy will continue through his contributions in art and social outreach, through his family and fans, touching countless lives of children and elders throughout the years in life and after his death, taken too young because of gun violence,” the resolution says.
Oakland has previously honored other local figures with street names, including Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton and rapper and record producer Too Short, The Associated Press reported.