OKP Exclusive: June 16th To Be Officially Declared 'Tupac Shakur Day' In Oakland

It looks like another big win for hip-hop.

On the heels of the recently announced effort to immortalize the Notorious B.I.G. with a statue in Brooklyn, his West Coast contemporary is about to receive some well-deserved recognition in Oakland. Okayplayer has received exclusive confirmation from hip-hop advocate LeRoy McCarthy that henceforth, June 16th will be recognized as Tupac Shakur Day in the city of Oakland. LeRoy helped to draft the language of the resolution himself and has received confirmation from the office of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf that the birthday of the late rapper will be honored in this fashion--an official press release from the City of Oakland is expected later today.

Though 'Pac was not born in Oakland, he continuously showed love to the Bay Area city throughout his life, crediting the city for making him the man he is, and, of course, getting his start with the Oakland-based group, Digital Underground.

It is a well-earned recognition, we just wish his mother was still here to receive this latest honor bestowed upon her son. You can read the full text of the proclamation from the Mayor’s office making this official, below.

Much respect to LeRoy McCarthy for putting in the work behind the scenes in to help make this happen. LeRoy was also the driving force behind making May 21st Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Day in Brooklyn and is working to have streets named in the honor of many of our hip-hop legends as well--more on all that soon.

City of Oakland

Mayor’s Proclamation

IN HONOR

OF

TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

WHEREAS, the life of American hip-hop artist, actor, writer, and humanist Tupac Shakur

will be internationally observed and celebrated by millions on his birthday June 16; and

WHEREAS, although Tupac was born in Harlem, New York City in 1971, later lived in Baltimore,

Maryland, and in Marin City, California, he cherished his time in Oakland as his home, stating that he

got his 'Game' from Oakland. Tupac once said: “…I give all my love to Oakland, if I’ma claim

somewhere I’ma claim Oakland”; and

WHEREAS, connecting with Oakland-based hip-hop group Digital Underground launched

Tupac’s career, paying his dues as a roadie, and a backup dancer, before rapping on

records; and

WHEREAS, Tupac became one of the most talented and thought provoking hip-hop

Master of Ceremony’s (M.C.), releasing several albums, and to date selling over 75 million

albums worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the life of Tupac was an outlet for original artistic expression, as shown in his

poem “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” songs such as “Changes,” “Keep Ya Head Up,” and

“Dear Mama” dedicated to his mother, Afeni Shakur, and all Mothers, “Only God Can Judge Me,”

and “California Love” where he said: “from Oakland to Sacktown/The Bay Area and back

down/Cali is where they put they Mack down/Give me love!”; and

WHEREAS, his birth date serves to remind us of his contributions to our communities

through the celebration of art and culture as an awakening tool towards changes in

society; and

NOW THERFORE, Be It Resolved, that I, Libby Schaaf, Mayor of the City of Oakland hereby

proclaim June 16, 2016 as:

“TUPAC SHAKUR DAY”

In the City of Oakland and encourage its recognition of remembrance by all its citizens.

THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the office of the Mayor to

be affixed.

______________________________________________

MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF