Demetrius Shipp Jr. is an American actor who rose to fame for his portrayal of Tupac Shakur in the 2017 biopic All Eyez on Me. The film tells the true and untold story of the legendary actor, rapper, poet and activist who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1996. Shipp Jr. stunned audiences with his striking resemblance to Tupac, as well as his convincing performance of the complex and charismatic icon. But is he related to Tupac in any way? Here are some facts you need to know.
The Father-Son Connection
One of the most surprising facts about Shipp Jr. is that his father, Demetrius Shipp Sr., was a music producer who worked with Tupac on one of his songs. According to People magazine, Shipp Sr. produced the song “Toss It Up” for Tupac’s album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, which was released posthumously in 1996. Shipp Sr. also knew one of the producers of All Eyez on Me, LT Hutton, who worked at Death Row Records with Tupac. Shipp Sr. shared his son’s audition tape with Hutton, who was impressed by his resemblance to Tupac and invited him for a table read.
The Accidental Actor
Shipp Jr. never planned to be an actor, let alone play Tupac on the big screen. He was working as a regular guy at Target and Dish Network when a friend suggested he audition for the role, given his strong likeness to Tupac. Shipp Jr. was hesitant at first, but decided to give it a try with the help of his friends and family. He sent his audition tape at the last minute and waited for four years before he got a call back from the filmmakers. He then spent months researching and watching Tupac’s interviews, videos, movies and music to prepare for the role.
The Life Lessons
Shipp Jr. was only eight years old when Tupac was killed in Las Vegas at the age of 25. He grew up listening to Tupac’s music and admiring his influence on culture and society. Playing Tupac was not only a career breakthrough for him, but also a personal journey of learning from the rap legend’s life and legacy. Shipp Jr. told People magazine that he gained an understanding of being “precise and discerning” and having a “fine balance” in life. He also told Vibe magazine that he learned to be more confident and expressive as an artist.
The Final Verdict
So, is Demetrius Shipp Jr. related to Tupac? The answer is no, he is not biologically or legally related to him. However, he does have a connection to him through his father’s work as a music producer, and he has a remarkable physical and emotional resemblance to him as an actor. He also has a deep respect and admiration for Tupac as a person and a performer, and he hopes to honor his memory and legacy through his portrayal in All Eyez on Me.
