I really enjoyed this in depth look into Tupac’s life. He truly made such an impact in his short life, and author Staci Robinson gives so much insight into all aspects of his life, family, music and his soul.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The legendary artist, poet, actor and revolutionary known as Tupac Shakur is one of the greatest and most controversial artists of our time. In a new biography, author and screenwriter Staci Robinson is authorized by estate and with the blessing of Tupac's own mother, Afeni Shakur, to share his story and prove why Tupac continues to inspire us today.

My advance copy of this book is full of highlights from Tupac's backronyms like "Never Ignorant, Getting Goals Accomplished" to his realism of the Shakur name curse to his hard truths of us marching on an anniversary of what we marched 25 years ago. Author Staci Robinson penned a biography with details that I'd never read before and inside knowledge of the man who died far too young.

Not only do I recommend this new release for fans of Tupac, but also fans of biographies, hip hop listeners, old school rap fans, creative artists and especially those with not much knowledge of the often misunderstood Tupac Shakur. It is a celebration of his life. A detailed look into his childhood, family life and decisions made in his meaningful short life.

Afeni Shakur and the estate chose the right person to write this authorized biography because Staci Robinson does not sugarcoat and tells of Tupac as the man he really was—the ups, down, shortcomings and achievements. The book includes photos, handwritten poetry, musings, letters and more. I encourage public libraries to offer Tupac Shakur in their catalog and for independent booksellers to keep it stocked on shelves.

Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

The arrival of this book then the confession of his murderer all seemed to be kismet and yet long overdue but I will save that for different site.

What I enjoyed most about this book were the personal, handwritten notes and illustrations by Tupac. I'm a sentimental bird and those things always hit me. I'm old enough to remember exactly where I was when I heard Tupac had been shot so that means I'm old enough to have been blessed to witness the rise of Tupac and the ridiculous manipulation. I didn't learn much from this book but that's not to say that the next generation will not. In fact, they will. It's written with care and easy to consume. It's not heavily academic and the personal notes add a nice break to what can be a heavy subject.

Staci Robinson’s biography of the dearly departed, yet ever-present hip-hop icon, Tupac Shakur, peels back layers and gives a fresh take on his story.

I’ve been a Tupac fan for much of life and I’ve read countless books about him, I watched most of the interviews and documentaries so I went into this book a bit skeptical at first. I mean what more can you say about one of the most talked-about figures in pop culture of the past 30 years.

What I particularly appreciated was how much detail Robinson went into with talking about Pac’s family and his childhood, particularly his years growing up in New York, where he spent the first 14 years of his life.

I also loved how the author highlighted the influence of some of the unsung heroes in Pac’s life that we don’t often hear about; people like Atron Gregory (and early manager), Watani Tyehimba (manager/mentor), Gloria “Aunt Glo” Cox (his aunt), Mutulu Shakur (stepfather/mentor), Leila Steinberg (a Bay area mentor), and countless others.

The only thing that bothered me is how it felt like the book started to go by quicker toward the end and the inevitable end feels abrupt, ironically similar to Pacs own premature demise.

Overall, this is easily one of the best biographies about Tupac out there. Truly, i think what made it different from every other Tupac book is 1) Good research, and, 2) it was built largely off of interviews with Pac’s family, his aunt, his cousins, and course, his late mother, Afeni Shakur.

If you’re a Pac fan, you’ll want to add this to your collection.

The day Tupac was murdered was a sad day - his music and legacy live on. I greatly enjoyed reading this book and gaining a deeper understanding of his life.


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Staci Robinson's biography of the short yet impactful life of Tupac Shakur is so full of detail that it's incredible. She began his story even before his birth, telling readers about the life of his mother, Afeni. Readers learn about the struggles Afeni faced in her own youth and while she was pregnant with Tupac. I was fascinated by the accounts of her time with the Black Panthers and other Black empowerment organizations. All of this had a strong impact on Tupac's life and career as an actor and musician. Because Robinson included so many details about Tupac's life, it was a very slow read for me, but I really enjoyed it. It gave me a much deeper appreciation of his life and his influence on society.

Thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy of this title.

What a beautiful book on Tupac. Love him,or hate him, Tupac was a force to be reckoned with. This book starts from the very beginning and ends at Tupac’s end. So much good information is in between. Beautifully written and interesting. Rest in paradise Tupac. We will always keep our heads up. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography" by Staci Robinson truly stands out as an exceptional work, delving deep into Tupac's life and motivations. What sets this biography apart is Robinson's unique connection with Shakur and his mother, Afeni, who personally chose her to share Tupac's story. Robinson first met Tupac shortly after he moved to California during his teen years. The book skillfully paints a profound portrait of his multifaceted personality, shedding light on his mission to advocate for the disadvantaged and the intricacies of his beliefs and actions. Throughout his life, Tupac often predicted he wouldn't live beyond 25 years, and it's quite surreal that he was ultimately correct.

Robinson's narrative vividly brings to life the compelling story of a young artist whose brilliance and unwavering truths about race in America continue to resonate today. As readers journey through its pages, they will discover an exceptional tribute to Tupac Shakur's enduring legacy and the unbreakable love that binds a family and a community. I must admit that I did not follow Tupac as closely while he was alive, but his life has always been intriguing to me. For this reason, I found this book quite fascinating. I learned so much about him while reading it.

Furthermore, the inclusion of handwritten notes, letters, and lyrics in Tupac's own handwriting adds a surreal and personal dimension, enhancing the reader's connection with the artist.

Ultimately, this biography transcends a mere reflection of Tupac's life; it serves as a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and son, forged by love and a shared commitment to their people.

I want to note that I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Wow...
I am at a loss for words at this comprehensive, heartbreaking biography. I grew up on Tupac. However, in the end of his earthly life, I remembered the "thug" image and calling women out of their names. So, this is why I initially didn't want to read this book.
Now, here I am. I'm glad I read this book. I figured I would learn new things about him and I absolutely did.
Tupac was a poet, a true creative. He loved children and his family. He loved the arts. He was a beautiful spirit we were robbed of seeing become a grown, grown man.
Author Staci Robinson does a great job of creating a timeline of his life. I highly recommend this book for Tupac fans, as well as to those who aren't familiar with him.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC to read and review.

This authorized biography is an ode to Tupac's career and soul. It doesn't leave out the mistakes he's made nor does it minimize the risks and inventive attitude it took to get to stardom. I don't read a lot of celebrity memoirs but this was a must have.

Staci Robinson first met Tupac when he was seventeen years old. Later she was on his list of writers he wanted to work with in the future before he was murdered. Despite her somewhat modest writing report card (according to her, she self-disparages in the preface about her B grade student record and her writing genre being primarily romantic comedies), Afeni Shakur saw the integrity and commitment when she entrusted her son's story with her. If Robinson hadn't written anything spectacular before, she has achieved an A+ for this one. Kudos to her for this excellent biography, the effort paid off.

The research is incredible. The level of dedication to capturing the spirit of an artist through everyone who knew him is clear in the detail. Staci Robinson has left no stone left unturned, interviewing everyone from his closest friends and family to his childhood acquaintances, mentors, and educators. It honours the intellectual side of Tupac.

Intensity and focus are two words used to describe Tupac towards the end of this biography that fit the bill best for me. He is single-minded in his future, as sure of his fame as he is of his premature death by violence. At times his intense nature leads to reactionary violence and defensive attitudes but his self-possessed soul comes through in the end after retrospection.

He was also pragmatic about the world and its future, including his life expectancy. He was honest when something was his fault, adamant when he believed he was being set up or wrongfully accused. He demanded mutual honour and respect from his friends and associates, cutting people out when they betrayed or disappointed him. He had a code of ethics that was paramount to his image and his message. Absolutely he was controversial, often due to media frenzy and misunderstandings of his philosophy and his goals, but sometimes because of his brash attitude. Staci balances the depiction of his demeanor, not excusing it but also not writing him off for it. She shows his complexity.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography by Staci Robinson that I read and reviewed.
I am a huge Tupac fan so I have read a ton of books and information about Pac and this book focuses a lot around his mother and family and friends memories of him. It is in line with the information that is out there about his life and death but it is told in a personal was and his family has given their stamp of approval for this book. Overall, it is a bittersweet look at the life of a great man who left us too soon.
I am giving this book five out of five stars.

Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography by Staci Robinson is an emotionally charged story that superbly chronicles the life and death of the late, great, Tupac Shakur. I went into this book with minimal expectations. I’ve read other biographies about Tupac. Each were mediocre at best. I didn’t think this one would be much different. But to my surprise, it far exceeded my expectations.
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What separates this book from the rest is the captivating narrative that not only details what Tupac did in his life, but more importantly, it explains why he did it. Robinson offers a glimpse inside Tupac’s inner workings, putting his good, his bad, and his ugly on full display.
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She also does an amazing job of capturing the relationship between Tupac and his mother Afeni Shakur. Robinson delicately blends Afeni and Tupac’s lives together creating a heartwarming tapestry that allows for a much deeper understanding of the foundation on which Tupac stood.
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It was the little details within this story that took my appreciation for this book to a higher level. For instance, I was able to relate to how the 70’s movie 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦 left a lasting impression on Tupac. I smiled at the idea of Pac having New Edition posters on his bedroom wall as a kid. Visualizing the “thug life” rapper spitting out the shells of his favorite snack, sunflower seeds, took me back to my own childhood. I reveled in the idea of Pac in the kitchen, cooking a banging pot of gumbo. And it broke my heart reading about the never ending instability of his childhood. Details such as these aided in creating a well-rounded picture of the man, not just the artist.
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Reading Tupac’s story from birth to death was compelling. Because this is an authorized biography, there’s a lot of quotes from his family and friends which made the narrative very personal. Touching. Profound. And at times, down right sad.
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Tupac believed the Shakur name was cursed. And as a result, he told many people he would die young. I wonder if his untimely death was a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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After reading about Pac’s life in its totality, I believe his main objective was to protect the poor, weak, and disenfranchised. He was kinda like a ghetto vigilante. A hood equalizer. When Tupac had physical altercations, most times it was to protect someone else. He wanted to defend those that either didn’t, couldn’t, or wouldn’t defend themselves. But to us, it looked as if he was merely living the “thug life” that was proudly tattooed across his abdomen.
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This biography also exposes some of Pac’s contradictions. For example, Tupac spoke negatively of interracial relationships, calling out people such a Quincy Jones for only marrying white women. Yet, Tupac dated white women himself, including pop icon Madonna. Then, he retracted his comments about Quincy Jones after finding himself attracted to Quincy’s biracial daughter. Another example of his contradictions could be seen when it came to violence. Tupac despised black-on-black crime. As a teen, he even organized peace rallies. Yet, as an adult Pac was often the aggressor in fights with other black men. There seemed to be a disconnect between his ideologies, and his actions.
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I believe Tupac was extremely misunderstood. I only wish he could have lived long enough to carry out his plan. Sadly, the world will never know exactly what we missed.
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There’s been at least ten books written about this fallen street soldier. I’ve read five. Of the five, this biography is by far the best! It is phenomenally written and also contains handwritten notes, and letters from Tupac.
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Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography, will be in stores October 24th. Mark your calendars. You don’t want to miss this one.
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Thanks to Crown publishing for gifting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review! I’m grateful for the journey.

"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography" offers an intimate and unvarnished glimpse into the life and legacy of the legendary artist, Tupac Shakur. Author and screenwriter Staci Robinson, who shared a close circle of friends with Tupac during their high school years in Marin City, California, was entrusted with the task of sharing his story by none other than his mother, Afeni Shakur. This estate-authorized biography is a monumental work that peels away the layers of myth and complexity that have surrounded Tupac's existence for decades. This account was emotional to read as a Tupac fan in that it is the most authentic portrayal of the man behind the myth that exists.

What sets this biography apart is its commitment to honesty and truth. Afeni Shakur directly asked Robinson to reveal the unvarnished reality of her son's life, and Robinson delivers on that promise. Drawing from Tupac's private notebooks, letters, and candid conversations with those who knew him best, this book presents the most complete and intimate portrait of the young man who would become an enduring legend.

In addition to delving into the well-known aspects of Tupac's life as an artist, activist, and revolutionary, Robinson uncovers lesser-known details that will fascinate readers. For instance, Tupac's connection to the role of Bubba in the movie "Forrest Gump" sheds light on the multifaceted nature of his career aspirations. Through these revelations, the book reveals a man driven by brilliance, impulsiveness, and a deep commitment to the intellectual tradition of Black empowerment.

But perhaps what makes this biography truly exceptional is the author's personal connection to Tupac's family and inner circle. Robinson's friendship with Tupac's mother and those closest to him allows her to present an unfiltered portrayal of the artist and core events from his life's journey. This biography is not just a reflection of Tupac's life but also a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and son, shaped by love and a shared commitment to their people.

"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography" is a moving exploration of an artist, poet, actor, revolutionary, and legend. It brings to life the powerful story of a young artist whose brilliance and uncompromising truths about race in America continue to inspire us today. In the pages of this book, readers will find an unparalleled tribute to Tupac Shakur's enduring legacy and the unbreakable love that binds a family and a community.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read!

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Tupac Shakur. I am not one to read bio books but was approved for Staci Robinson’s fascinating book about this troubled, interesting, iconic man who died before we could truly know him.
Written very well with facts and stories of this man with so much talent
Made me sad because he was a victim before he could be a hero.
Very well written. 4 stars

I really enjoy this book. Honestly I don't know alot about Tupac life just his music and a little bit on what was put out of the media. I look seeing what his mother was going through and that the person who is telling the story had the permission writing this book from her. This book had be in the making for years.

Definitely pick this book up when it releases very emotional for Me because by time tupac had pass I was either just born or my mom was still pregnant

A fascinating read about an incredibly talented artist. Well-researched and written, with extensive interviews with those who knew Tupac at all stages of his short life, Staci Robinson's book is a winner.

*Note to publisher: Editing issue with chapter 15, chapters 2 through 10 repeating.

Interesting. This book is the truth. It shows that Tupac wasn't just a thug and he wasn't just a felon. This book shows so many different perspectives of Tupac Shakur there was never just one of him. It shows how he'd shaped lives and left such an impact on the world. Tupac Shakur will forever be missed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Tupac's life and the legacy that he lives behind for hip hop music lovers or lovers of rap. Robinson did a great job of allowing the reader to see Tupac the man. This is the first and only estate-authorized biography and it is well worth the read. This book dives into the relationship that Tupac and his mother had and the reader gets a deep look into his childhood as well as his adulthood.

WOW. This was an incredible read and chock full of so much I never knew about Tupac. The stories really show that he was always a larger than life mind and knew he would do great things. It almost reads like a messiah story, that he was blessed with natural talent from an early age. His drive and determination to bring his message to the world was so strong and evident throughout. A wonderful biography.