Afeni Shakur the mother of one of hip hop iconic legends Tupac Shakur has died today at the age of 69. Marin County deputies responded to Shakur’s home in Sausalito, Calif., Monday night after she suffered a possible cardiac arrest, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday morning. She was taken to a local hospital and died just before 10:30 p.m.
She was responsible for the estate of Tupac Shakur after he died, making sure his legacy stayed alive through his music, releasing albums after his death.
Shakur, born Alice Faye Williams, changed her name when she moved to New York City and joined the Black Panther movement. She and other party members were arrested in 1969 and charged with conspiracy to bomb multiple, busy city landmarks.
In May 1971, she was acquitted on all charges — and she gave birth to Tupac just one month later. She was the subject of his 1995 song “Dear Mama,” in which Tupac detailed his childhood struggles and respect for his mother.
Shakur served as an executive producer for a film about Tupac’s life, “All Eyez on Me,” is set for release in November, with Danai Gurira cast as Shakur.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will lead the investigation to determine the cause and manner of Shakur’s death.
