Tupac transformed rap from a simple street trend into an elite art form. He laid the foundation for the present iteration of the hip-hop movement and continued its evolution as a poet whose tales of alienation captivated young people of all races and backgrounds. From the beginning, he was aware of his very short window of time to live and his desire to create a body of work. He was always writing, always making something, and always in the studio. Even in prison, he was writing a screenplay. Knowing that he would not be on this earth for any length of time, he came with a specific purpose - contradictions, complexities and all - and he left behind something that has touched a generation of people. How he died has never been resolved. The exact details of Tupac's death might never be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in court, given that most of the key players are currently either dead or serving lengthy prison terms. However, that won't stop people from seeking answers.