Tupac Shakur was an American rapper.
Tupac Amaru Shakur ( [ ˈtuːpɑːk_ʃəˈkʊər ] ; born Lesane Parish Crooks ; June 16 , 1971September 13 , 1996 ) , also known by his stage names 2Pac , Makaveli , and Pac , was an American rapper , record producer , actor , and poet . He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time . Shakur began his career as a roadie , backup dancer , and MC for the alternative hip hop group Digital Underground , eventually branching off as a solo artist .