(AJC) – Scholars wishing to research the late Tupac Shakur have a trove of artifacts awaiting them at the Atlanta University Center’s Robert W. Woodruff Library.
The collection, on loan to the library from the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, includes handwritten lyrics, notebooks full of poetry, fan letters, autographed CDs, artwork, personal correspondence, photographs, press clippings and other memorabilia. Assistant head of archives Courtney Chartier said the collection filled 26 boxes.
“We want people to come and study his work and really focus on him as an academic subject,” she said.
Shakur was shot in Las Vegas in September 1996 and died several days later.
“Tupac is a watershed rapper,” Chartier said. “He had party songs but also songs about politics and policy, especially as they affected African Americans.”
The library launched the collection on Tuesday afternoon with a block party for students.
A few at a time were permitted into the library to view a sampling of the collection, including a large painting of Shakur titled “Thug Angel,” his birth certificate, an autographed display of CDs and backstage credentials for one of his concerts. Chartier said the library would like to host a symposium at some point, where scholars could come to discuss the rapper’s works.
“I would love for someone to come in and do a sociological study of his fan mail,” she said. He still gets fan mail. He’s like the black Elvis.”
Loretta Parham, CEO and director of the library, said work on the collection has been a learning experience for her.
“What surprised me was his commitment to building family bonds,” she said. “He was a brilliant young man.”
The block party outside the library featured music, snacks and giveaways of Shakur merchandise. Zayani Sims, a Spelman College senior from Washington, D.C., won a T-shirt.
“I’m so happy (the collection) is here,” said Sims, who is studying environmental science. “I grew up listening to Tupac. His words touched me.”