How Tupac Shakur Remained a Defining Rap Figure After His Death A star during his lifetime, he became an almost mythical figure in the decades since his 1996 killing. Author: Jonathan Abrams Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)MoreClick to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)