2pac was an American rapper born in the Bronx who grew up in poverty and expressed ideas about black power through his music starting in 1991. He had success with albums like 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z and formed groups like Thug Life and with Death Row records. 2pac was shot and killed in Vegas in 1996 at the age of 25, though the killer was never identified, with some speculation it was due to tensions with the Crips or Notorious B.I.G. He was a risk taker through his controversial lyrics that criticized others and addressed social issues.