S. Samuel
Afeni Shakur, mother of the late rapper/actor TupacShakur, has vowed a new business relationship with Jampol Artist Management which will help fans get their hands on more new, unreleased work from her son.
Ms. Shakur said she feels personally responsible for making sure Pac’s loyal following hear his unreleased works.
The estate of Tupac Shakur is being placed in the hands of Jampol Artist Management and the late rapper’s mother indicates there is more music to be released. Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur, head of his estate and founder of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, said in a statement, “I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that Tupac’s entire body of work is made available for his fans. My son left many incomplete pieces and even more unfinished ideas. Using the blueprints he gave us, I am committed to fulfilling this duty.” Tom Whalley, the label executive who signed Shakur to his first record deal, will be working with Jampol Artist Management on music projects. (Billboard)
Through Jampol, Pac’s legacy joins the likes of fellow music icons including Otis Redding and Michael Jackson.
Jampol Artist Management will oversee licensing, apparel and other ventures in all media, worldwide, as it relates to Shakur’s music, film, name and likeness. JAM founder and president Jeffrey Jampol is adding Shakur to a roster that already includes the Doors, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Peter Tosh and Henry Mancini. He consults the estate of Michael Jackson. “It’s our responsibility — and our privilege — to ensure that new generations of fans experience the power of Tupac’s music, his ideas and his storytelling,” Jampol said in a statement. Afeni Shakur noted Jampol “will find innovative ways to continue to keep his music, his message, and his legacy alive.” (Billboard)
Last year, buzz behind a Shakur-inspired Broadway musical circulated online.
A new Broadway musical about Tupac Shakur just overcame one MASSIVE roadblock — TMZ has learned, producers have obtained the approval of the rapper’s notoriously protective mother … who LOVES the show. A rep for the Shakur family tells TMZ, producers personally gave Afeni Shakur a rough preview of “Holler If You Hear Me” — the new musical by black theater legend Kenny Leon, based on Tupac’s music. According to the rep, Kenny wanted Afeni’s approval before proceeding with the show — and he GOT IT … we’re told Afeni was “ecstatic” and can’t wait for the show to premiere. The musical isn’t about Tupac personally — it’s a fictional story about two childhood friends in a Midwestern industrial city and their extended families. (TMZ)
In 2010, Afeni reacted to her son’s “Dear Mama” record being added to the Library of Congress.
“I’m incredibly touched. It could have been any song, but I’m honored they chose ‘Dear Mama’ in particular,” Afeni Shakur said. “It is a song that spoke not just to me, but every mother that has been in that situation, and there have been millions of us. Tupac recognized our struggle, and he is still our hero.” (All Hip Hop)
