The mother of the hip hop’s most iconic figures has died at age, 69 in her home in Sausalito, California. The Marin County sheriff’s office has confirmed the death of Afeni Shakur Davis early Tuesday morning [May 3rd] .
Deputies responded to a report of possible cardiac arrest [by a family member] at Shakur’s home at 9:34pm. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died at 10:28pm. No evidence of foul play has been indicated in Shakur’s death, and no definitive cause or manner of death [as yet] has been issued says Lt. Doug Pittman.
Afeni was a former Black Panther, activist and philanthropists. She was also the guardian of Tupac’s legacy where she’s established Amaru Entertainment; a music label in honor of her son and the Tupac Shakur Center For Performing Arts; a program that explored poetry, music, and theater for young adults in the Atlanta area.
” Arts Can Save Children, No Matter What’s Going On In Their Homes, I Wasn’t Available To Do The Right Things For My Son, If Not For The Arts, My Child Would’ve Been Lost – Afeni S. Davis “
It was the arts that bred one of hip hop’s legendary emcees, Tupac. Afeni had her fair share of struggles as a single mother raising Tupac and his sister Sekiywa Shakur, and she turned to cocaine use but she always kept her kids on the right track. Tupac attended art schools throughout his upbringing in Maryland and then in Sausalito, California prior to his rise to fame.
It was his mother’s drug addiction that invoked Tupac’s classical hit record ‘Dear Mama’ where he reminds his mother of her beauty, strength, beauty, and resiliency. In his famous verse, Tupac raps.
” And Even As A Crack Fiend Mama, You Always Was Black Queen Mama, I Finally Understand For A Woman It Ain’t Easy Trying To Raise A Man, You Always Was Committed, A Poor Single Mother On Welfare, Tell Me How You Did It, There’s No Way I Can Pay You Back, But My Plan Is To Show You That I Understand, You Are Appreciated. “
In 1991, Afeni got cleaned and never looked back. It was her son that heavily influenced her decision and post Tupac’s death in 1996 Afeni continued on the sober path. Afeni recently closed the performing arts center and relocated to Sausolita, Cal.
Afeni latest work includes Tupac’s upcoming biopic film ‘All Eyez On Me’, starring walking dead actress Danai Gurira, and Makaveli set to debut at a later date.
Afeni Shakur on her son Tupac: “I miss him….”
Now they’re both reunited. RIP pic.twitter.com/1xhRHe8Mqq— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) May 3, 2016
One Love PLUMS!