Tupac Shakur's Musical Legacy to be Cemented on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Courtesy Photo 

Rap icon and actor Tupac Shakur will be posthumously honored with the 2,758th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 7.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the Walk of Fame, announced the news today.

Ana Martinez, the producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, expressed deep admiration for Tupac Shakur, recognizing his remarkable contributions as a rapper, actor, activist, poet and revolutionary.

"This iconic artist has remained an indelible part of our cultural fabric long after his untimely passing and will continue to be a significant figure for years to come," she said. "Without a doubt, as a hometown hero, Tupac's star will rank among the most frequented."

iHeart Media Radio Personality Big Boy will lead the star unveiling ceremony. Prominent guest speakers include Allen Hughes, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the groundbreaking docuseries "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur," currently streaming on FX and Hulu. Accepting the star on behalf of the family will be Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, the artist's sister.

Hughes' docuseries "Dear Mama" has captivated audiences, breaking records for FX and Hulu as the network's most-watched unscripted series debut in May, further amplifying Shakur's enduring cultural impact.

Shakur achieved global acclaim in a brief yet impactful music career and remains one of the most profound and prolific artists of his generation, with over 75 million records sold worldwide.

His albums "All Eyez on Me" and "Greatest Hits" achieved Diamond certification, surpassing ten million copies sold and securing their place among the best-selling albums of all time.

In 2017, he made history as the first solo hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He also left an indelible mark as an actor, receiving praise for his work in films such as "Juice," "Poetic Justice," "Above The Rim," "Gridlock'd" and "Gang Related."

Decades after his tragic demise, Shakur's influence continues to resonate throughout popular culture. From his groundbreaking hologram performance at the 2012 Coachella Music and Arts Festival to his spoken-word contribution on Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed album "To Pimp A Butterfly."

In 2015, the Grammy Museum unveiled the exhibit "All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac Shakur" as a testament to his artistic prowess. In 2022, Los Angeles embraced the thought-provoking museum experience "Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Free," offering an immersive exploration of his life and legacy.

The dedication of Tupac Shakur's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will be exclusively live-streamed on walkoffame.com.

Third Arrest Made in Jam Master Jay's 2002 Murder Case

A third suspect has been indicted in the murder of rap legend Jam Master Jay.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have filed murder charges against Jay Bryant, a Queens man, in
connection with the 2002 killing of pioneering hip-hop DJ Jam Master Jay, also known as Jason Mizell. This brings the total number of individuals accused of involvement in the slaying to three.

Bryant, 49, who was already in custody on a separate drug-related indictment, faces charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and other drug-trafficking counts. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled, and his attorney, César de Castro, stated that Bryant intends to plead not guilty.

A third man has been arrested for the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. pic.twitter.com/CWG4gjcCqA

— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) May 31, 2023

De Castro expressed skepticism about the indictment, highlighting the distinction between securing an indictment in a secret grand jury and proving the charges in court. He emphasized the importance of meeting the burden of proof during the trial.

🎧 #preservintheculture highlights another element of the culture, deejaying . Jam Master Jay was a musician and a deejay. He was the DJ for the iconic group Run DMC. His label, Jam Master Jay records, initially signed 50 cent and Onyx and he started Scratch DJ Academy R.I.B🕊️ pic.twitter.com/TIVGtb9BIn

— Inlightenmg (@inlightenmg) March 7, 2023

Jam Master Jay achieved global fame and admiration for his musical contributions to the pioneering rap group Run-DMC, which also included Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. The group emerged in the 1980s and played a crucial role in shaping the sound and style of hip-hop music, blending rap with rock and showcasing a distinctive street fashion aesthetic.

In August 2020, New York City and federal authorities announced murder charges against two other men, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, attributing the fatal shooting to a cocaine deal gone awry. Prosecutors alleged that Jordan and Washington "executed" Mizell, 37, after he attempted to exclude them from a multistate narcotics transaction involving several kilograms of cocaine. Court documents revealed that Mizell had received approximately 10 kilos of cocaine on consignment from a Maryland supplier just months before his murder.

According to the filing, Jordan and Washington were initially supposed to be Mizell's partners in the drug deal, but a dispute arose. The nature of the dispute was not specified, but Mizell's threat to exclude them triggered a fatal chain of events.

Jordan, 39, and Washington, 59, have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for trial in January 2024.

Prosecutors allege that on October 20, 2002, Bryant, Washington and Jordan entered Mizell's recording studio on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. Washington allegedly brandished a gun and ordered an individual in the studio to lie on the floor. Jordan approached Mizell and fired two close-range shots, one of which fatally struck him in the head.

Seth D. DuCharme, the acting U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, characterized the incident as a cold-blooded murder, stating that the perpetrators "walked in and murdered him in cold blood" when Jordan and Washington were initially charged in 2020.

According to the indictment, Bryant was observed entering the building just before the shooting, and clothing containing his DNA was found at the crime scene. The indictment further claims that Bryant confessed to participating in the murder, even going so far as to inform someone that he was the shooter. However, prosecutors dispute this assertion, believing that Jordan fired the fatal shot.

Bill Lee, Respected Jazz Bassist and Composer for Spike Lee, Dies at 94

Renowned jazz bassist Bill Lee, known for his collaborations with artists like Bob Dylan and Duke Ellington and for composing scores for his son Spike Lee's films before their artistic collaboration faltered, passed away at his Brooklyn home on Wednesday (May 24) at the age of 94.

Rest in peace, Bill Lee.

Bill was a jazz bassist who made incredible contributions to the music world, including collaborating with stars like Odetta, Bob Dylan, and even our very own Aretha Franklin on her debut album, ARETHA.

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris. pic.twitter.com/YjvykMufyi

— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin) May 26, 2023

Spike Lee confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing poignant portraits of his late father along with a link to The New York Times obituary. Bill's musical genius graced several of Spike's films, including "She's Gotta Have It" (1986) and "Do the Right Thing" (1989).

Bill began his career as a session musician in Atlanta and Chicago before moving to New York in 1959. His bass can be heard on Bob Dylan's haunting ballad "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," and he collaborated with Max Roach as a composer on multiple albums.

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A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee)

In the 1990s, a rift formed between Spike and Bill due to unresolved financial and family disputes. However, they found moments of reconciliation at special events commemorating their shared cinematic achievements, such as the 20th-anniversary screening of "Do the Right Thing" in 2009 and a 25th-anniversary gathering in 2014.

Bill's musical contributions extended beyond his collaboration with his son, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of jazz and cinema. He lent his extraordinary talents to over 250 record albums, working with icons like Aretha Franklin, Simon and Garfunkel and Harry Belafonte.

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A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee)

Surviving Bill Lee are his wife, three sons, a daughter, a brother and two grandchildren. Despite their differences, Spike Lee acknowledged his father's profound influence, stating, "Everything I know about jazz I got from my father. I saw his integrity, how he was not going to play just any kind of music, no matter how much money he could make."