This ’90s Hip Hop Legend’s Murder Trial Finally Begins 30 Years Later

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur’s death, one of hip hop’s most enduring mysteries is finally heading to trial.

The Grammy-nominated rapper, actor and cultural icon was only 25 years old when he was killed in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting in September 1996. Known for songs like “California Love,” “Changes” and “I Get Around”, Shakur became one of the most influential artists of his generation, using his music to explore themes of social injustice, struggle, and life on the streets.

Now, the man accused of orchestrating his murder is set to face a jury and prosecutors say his own words could become a key part of the case. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former gang leader who has been charged with first-degree murder, is scheduled to go on trial in Las Vegas beginning Aug. 10. Davis has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

Shakur was killed on Sept. 7, 1996, after leaving a Mike Tyson boxing match. He was riding in a car driven by Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight when another vehicle pulled alongside them and opened fire. Tupac died six days later, leaving behind a groundbreaking music catalog and a legacy that continues to influence artists today.

For decades, the case remained unsolved. But as Billboard reported, Davis’ own words may become one of the most significant pieces of evidence in the case. In his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend, Davis described his alleged involvement in the events surrounding Shakur’s death. In the book, Davis wrote about being inside the vehicle involved in the shooting and claimed he had obtained the gun used in the attack. 

Davis’ attorneys have claimed the memoir was created for entertainment and should not be treated as a confession. But a judge has ruled that prosecutors can present Davis’ statements to jurors, including comments in which he described the book as the “real truth.”

As the trial begins, fans around the world will once again revisit the life and legacy of Tupac Shakur – an artist whose influence has not waned. Nearly three decades later, the man accused of taking his life may now be forced to answer for the story he told himself, seemingly hoisted by his own petard.