2Pac wanted to be in a black-owned label

American rapper Tupac (2Pac) Shakur, murdered in 1996.LAPRESSE

According to Mopreme Shakur, the brother of the late rapper 2Pac, there was a time when 2Pac was considering joining Bad Boy Records, the label owned by Diddy. In an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Mopreme revealed that before signing with Death Row Records in 1995, 2Pac was interested in joining a Black-owned label and being with his people.

Mopreme explained, “He wanted to be on a Black label. He wanted to be with his people. He wanted to be with the brothers. He supported Black business.”

Mopreme also discussed the strained relationship between 2Pac and Biggie, who was signed to Puffy’s label, which caused tension between the two artists. Mopreme said, “There was some legitimate problems there.”

He also spoke about 2Pac’s friendship with Big Stretch, a former member of Thug Life, who was with 2Pac on the night he was shot at Quad Recording Studios in 1994. Mopreme revealed that after the shooting, Stretch went on tour with Biggie, which seemed strange considering the circumstances. Mopreme explained, “If you were rolling with ‘Pac, you were rolling with ‘Pac. He’s kinda jealous like that.”

His signing with Death Row was legal

The interview also shed light on the infamous meeting between 2Pac and Suge Knight, which led to 2Pac signing with Death Row Records. Contrary to popular belief, David S Ash, a childhood friend of 2Pac who was present during the meeting, disputed the claims that the contract was signed on a napkin or toilet paper.

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Ash clarified that it was actually written on a legal pad. He recalled the moment when Knight and his lawyer interrupted their meeting and drafted the contract right in front of him.

Ash stated: “2Pac told Suge the things he needed: a car, a million dollars upfront, and a house for his mother. Then he looked the contract over and told Suge, ‘OK cool, let’s do this.’ And that’s the moment the Death Row deal was done.”