California is honoring Tupac with his own street name.
After a unanimous vote by the city council on Tuesday, a stretch of a street in Oakland will be named in honor of the late rapper. The portion of MacArthur Boulevard, where Tupac resided, extending between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue, will now be recognized as Tupac Shakur Way, while the remainder of MacArthur Boulevard will retain its current name.
According to NBC News, the Tupac Shakur Foundation will cover the expenses for commemorative signs and plaques that will indicate the change. The legislative measure states that the street renaming will serve as a reminder of Tupac Shakur’s contributions to Oakland and its communities by celebrating art and culture as a catalyst for societal transformation.
In 2016, Oakland’s mayor designated June 16th as Tupac Shakur Day to recognize his impactful contributions to the community.
The rapper was born in Harlem, New York City but was raised in Oakland, California. In a 1993 video interview, he attributed his “game” to Oakland.
“When I got to Oakland that’s when I learned the Game,” he said at the time. “I give all my love to Oakland, if I’ma claim somewhere I’ma claim Oakland.”
Last year, Tupac’s family established Powamekka Café, a pop-up shop in Los Angeles, to pay tribute to his enduring legacy.
Prior to his untimely demise, Tupac conceptualized the idea for the establishment. In notes discovered by his family, the later rapper envisioned Powamekka Café as a gathering place for “divaz” and “playaz.” He expressed his desire for the restaurant to be a vibrant haven, stating it would be a passionate paradise for individuals with the ability to engage in playful and strategic endeavors.
