Tupac’s Mom, Afeni Shakur, Passes Away Aged 69

Marin County Sheriff’s Department in the North San Francisco Bay Area of California have officially confirmed that Afeni Shakur, mother of the legendary late rapper Tupac Shakur, died late on the night of Monday May 2nd. Authorities haven’t yet revealed a cause of death, but it’s thought that Afeni had been suffering from a short illness. Afeni is a much-loved figure in the hip-hop community due, in part, to her excellent handling of Tupac‘s estate since his death in 1996.

Afeni was born Alice Faye Williams in Lumberton, North Carolina way back in 1947. She spent her life living between New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Georgia and, eventually, California. She changed her name to Afeni Shakur after joining the Black Panthers in the late 1960’s.

Her close relationship with her son is famous and her passing will no doubt be a blow to fans of Tupac who have relied on Afeni to handle his business with grace and intelligence. She will be missed. RIP Afeni.