tupac amaru shakur (june 16, 1971 - september 13, 1996) was an american rapper and sometimes actor, also known as 2pac and makaveli, who sold many records. shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2010. shakur began his career as a roadie, backup dancer, and mc for the alternative hip hop group digital underground as "mc new york". he eventually branced off as a solo artist. he became a west coast hip hop icon after the release of his first album, "2pacalypse now", in 1991.