From Jen C – Recently – I saw or heard something on hip hip history – that the late Tupac Shakur’s name was his real one. I was surprised given all rappers have handles.

Mr. Pop History – That’s right. The late Tupac Amaru Shakur was named by his mother – Afeni Shakur – a Black Panther party member who was carrying him while imprisoned. The “real” Tupac Amaru, was a 16th century Incan chief and was the leader of what became the last Incan holdouts against Spanish rule. Fast forward to 1984, when a leftist group led by Victor Polay Campos assumed the name and declared its opposition toward the Peruvian government. You can find more on the Net. Tupac