Tupac Shakur voiced support for Palestinian Statehood, says former collaborator

Tupac Shakur, the revered American rapper and activist, not only gave voice to the struggles of Black America, but also stood in solidarity with global liberation movements — including the Palestinian cause.

Known for his revolutionary roots and fearless lyrics, Tupac was deeply politically aware from a young age. Raised by the late Afeni Shakur, a former Black Panther who fought systemic injustice, he grew up surrounded by voices challenging imperialism and racial oppression. That political education shaped his worldview, extending beyond the US.

The revelation features in a BBC report marking 30 years since the release of Dear Mama, Tupac’s moving tribute to his mother. While the track highlights his personal vulnerability and respect for single mothers, the report also explores the revolutionary roots that shaped his worldview — and by extension, his solidarity with oppressed people around the world.

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In a moment recalled by early collaborator DJ Billy Dee, Tupac once spoke passionately about the Palestinian struggle over lunch at her mother’s house in Berlin. Her mother had photos of the late Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat on the wall — and Tupac instantly recognised who Arafat was. “Even as a young man, he knew exactly who that was and spoke passionately during our lunch about supporting the historical struggle of the Palestinian state,” Billy Dee said.

This lesser-known part of Tupac’s political stance mirrors the themes that run through much of his work. In his iconic track Changes, he famously rapped: “There’s war on the streets and the war in the Middle East.” These lyrics, written in the 1990s, continue to resonate today with the ongoing genocide in Gaza and conflicts in the wider region.

Although he was killed in 1996 at the age of 25, Tupac’s legacy endures — not only as a ground-breaking artist, but as a vocal supporter of oppressed communities worldwide, including the Palestinian people.

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