Oakland to Rename Street after Tupac Shakur

Thanks to Oaklandside for letting us know that Tupac is about to get some serious Oakland Love.

In a tribute to the West Coast rap legend, the city yesterday unanimously approved plans to rename a portion of MacArthur Boulevard to “Tupac Shakur Way” – with a street sign hanging proudly between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue.

That’s just off the northern shore of Lake Merritt where 580 exits to Grand Ave.

Tupac Shakur was born in Harlem, New York in 1971 as Lesane Parish Crooks. However, it was in Oakland where his career saw a significant rise – first when he hooked up with Digital Underground. Later, his groundbreaking album “2Pacalypse Now,” produced while living in the Bay Area, became an enduring testament to his lyrical prowess.

This is not the first time the city of Oakland has honored the legendary artist. City officials proclaimed June 16 to be “Tupac Shakur Day” back in 2016. However, the street naming initiative adds a new, and more permanent, recognition of the artist’s lasting legacy.

Oakland seems to be following Tupac’s own words, “I give all my love to Oakland, if I’ma claim somewhere I’ma claim Oakland.” By renaming a street after him, Oakland is certainly claiming Tupac as one of their own and celebrating his influence on the city.

When will the street sign be hung up? No date has been set yet, but we’re sure Oaklandside will have the scoop.