Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

7 of the wildest Tupac conspiracy theories – faking his own death to new life in Scotland

Tupac Shakur's death in September 1996 is something that is still widely discussed today, 26 years on from the tragedy.

The Changes rapper was shot in a car while a white Cadillac Sedan pulled up on the passenger side of Tupac's car and rapidly fired into the car in 1996 on September 7, 1996.

Rapper Tupac, also known as 2Pac or Makaveli, was shot four times and he was taken to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada where he was put on life support.

He died seven days later age 25 on September 13, 1996 from internal bleeding.

Tupac's cause of death was later recorded as respiratory failure and cardiopulmonary arrest associated with gunshot wounds.

Tupac Shakur died 26 years ago in 1996 (Getty)
Rapper Tupac, or 2Pac, was shot in Las Vegas – the gunman has never been caught (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

A murder investigation was subsequently launched but has failed to get answers. A year into the investigation, Metro Police's Sgt Kevin Manning said they were "at a standstill".

No one has ever been convicted for the death of the Keep Your Head Up rapper but there have been many journalistic investigations into the murder.

As the mystery surrounding Tupac's death remains unsolved, many wild theories have come into light over the years, here we take a look...

Faking his death

In 2018 Too Short, a friend of the late rapper, claimed the hip hop star faked his own death.

In a Vlad TV video at the time, he said: "I believe Tupac didn't die."

When quizzed if he believes the hip hop legend is still alive Too Short, who's real name is Todd Anthony Shaw, said: "I'm just saying that not every politician did not die of car crashes and some of them got killed. Some of those plane crashes were deliberate.

"So spill s**t over to hip hop – it is a possibility. Believe me, it ain't just open and shut."

A pal of the rapper claimed he faked his own death (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Michael Nice, who claimed he was part of Tupac's security team before his death, said he had played a part in faking the rapper's death.

Michael made headlines when he claimed Tupac had been smuggled into Cuba with the help of former President Fidel Castro after the drive by shooting that police said claimed his life.

Then days before he was due to release video evidence, it was reported Michael had died. But, in 2019, he came back and revealed he had faked his own death – and claimed it proved the Changes rapper was still alive, too.

Michael Nice claimed he helped Tupac fake his death (YOUTUBE)

In a video, which he shared in 2019, he said: "My name's Michael Nice. I faked my death on the 18th of December, 2018 and I'm here today, back from the dead to show why and how I faked my death.

"I'm going to put the record straight."

Speaking from an unknown location, he continued: "I know it's a shock to all the people who know me but I'm back, I'm back to explain everything. I confess I faked my death and I feel quite ashamed about it but it had to be done and I'm here now to explain the reasons why."

He added: "I've done it again with myself. It proves that I've got those capabilities."

Hints at faking his own death

Tupac's other name Makaveli was inspired by Italian strategist Niccolò Machiavelli who pretended to fake his death.

Also, if you re-order the letters in the nickname, you get "Am Alive K".

Meanwhile, Tupac's album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, features an image of Jesus Christ on the cover. Jesus famously resurrected after seven days.

Disappearance after cremation

Suge Knight, who owned Death Row Records which Tupac was signed to, has claimed he paid $3 million for Tupac's cremation the day after he died.

The cremator listed Tupac's body has being 6ft tall and weighing around 15 stone. But, his driver's licence said he was 5ft 10 and 12 stone.

A planned memorial for the rapper was cancelled at the last minute.

And the music CEO never saw the person behind the cremation again.

Suge Knight raised suspicions around 2Pac's cremation (FilmMagic)

Suge later said: "The person who supposedly cremated Tupac, this guy got about $3 million– personally from me. [The] next thing I know, I never heard from the guy or seen him again. He retired and left.

"Maybe the question is Pac’s not really dead. Pac’s somewhere else."

Sightings around the world

Since the rapper, who's album All Eyez on Me was a best seller, was reported to have died, many fans in disbelief have claimed they have spotted the fan in various corners of the globe.

One of the most convincing sighting was of Tupac in Cuba in 2004. A video showing Suge Knight joking with a man that looks strikingly similar to 2Pac was uploaded to YouTube. But, the back of the man's head can only be seen in the clip while he appears to have no tattoos.

13 years on from Tupac's reported death a video obtained by TMZ appeared to show the rapper – or someone that looked very much alike him – drinking beers in a bar in New Orleans.

Meanwhile, another theory posted online claimed Tupac could be hiding in East Africa as he was apparently seen there with friend and founder of Outlawz hip-hop group – Yaki Kadafi.

In the post, according to the Daily Star, a man claimed: "I’ve seen Tupac and Kadafi way after their said deaths – in Somalia.

"I’ve seen them both alive. I was in a car and they were heading in the other direction.

"Kadafi was doing some kind of hand signals – he looked kind of funky.

"I saw them alive way after their said deaths."

Meanwhile, a private investigator claimed in 2020 there is proof that the rapper is "alive and well and living in Belize".

Jimmy Poole had been looking into Tupac's death and told the Mirror there was new information that points to the rapper is still alive and well in Central America, hiding in Belize.

He leaked a new photo apparently of the rapper "in his 40s" posing with a fan in a restaurant.

Selling DVDs in Glasgow

Perhaps one of the strangest theories to date has been the suggestion the rapper, also known as Makaveli, he was selling DVDs in Glasgow.

A source told the Mirror in 2019: "I’ve seen Tupac alive, he’s working in the Barras market in Glasgow selling DVDs!"

'Leaked' celebrity photos

Despite reportedly finding a new life for himself in Scotland, Tupac appeared to have been photographed with a number of A-list stars over the years.

It was claimed by Huzler website that 2Pac had been seen outside of a nightclub and posing with pop star Beyoncé.

Meanwhile, rapper 50 Cent has also been pictured with the late rap legend – but it is unknown where the photo of the pair appearing to pose together originated from.

Seven day theory

Some fans have pointed out the number seven frequently pops up throughout Tupac's life and death.

The All Eyez On Me hitmaker was shot on September 7, aged 25 (2+5 = 7) and was pronounced dead at 4:03pm (4+0+3 + 7) and his birthday is on Jun 16 (1+6 = 7).

Some believed the rapper would return seven years after his death – but fans are still waiting.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.