Treach is among the most influential figures in Hip Hop, but that has never stopped him from showing his appreciation for his late friend 2Pac.
On Wednesday (June 7), ‘Pac was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. YG, DJ Quik and QDIII were among the many notable figures present at the event, but Treach went a step further to give the legendary MC his flowers.
HipHopDX caught up with the Naughty By Nature MC at the ceremony on 6212 Hollywood Boulevard, and asked him what his favorite 2Pac lyrics are.
“June 1-6, ‘7-1, the day/ Mama pushed me out her womb, told me, ‘N-gga get paid’,” Treach rapped, spitting bars from the 1996 song “Krazy,” taken from The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, the final album 2Pac recorded before his death using the alias Makaveli.
Treach and ‘Pac both starred in the 1992 crime drama, Juice, and subsequently went on to form a close friendship. The following year, the two collaborated on “5 Deadly Venomz,” which appears on 2Pac’s second album, Strictly 4 My N.-.G.G.A.Z.
Soon after the death of 2Pac in September 1996, Naughty By Nature released “Mourn You Til I Join You.” The single, which is about Treach’s relationship with 2Pac, opens with the latter saying: “It’s gonna be alright, you gotta believe dat.” In the chorus, Treach sings: “Even all the prayers can’t bring you back to us/ I’ll mourn you till I join you cause I’ll keep in touch.”
The rapper, actor and activist was fatally shot in Las Vegas at the age of 25. Almost three decades later, his impact on Hip Hop culture continues to grow and inspire younger artists. At the same time, his fans, contemporaries and family members continue to honor his legacy.
Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur delivered a rousing speech about her brother at the Walk of Fame ceremony. “2Pac knew deep down that he was always meant for something great,” she said. “As his little sister, I had the privilege to watch that greatness unfold. From the first time he stepped foot on stage at the Apollo Theater at 13 years old before anyone recognized his name, he knew he had the dream to have a star here on the Walk of Fame.”
Set continued: “Not only paying tribute to his contribution in the music industry but speaks volumes to the lasting impact he’s had on this world. Today, we’re not just honoring a star on the ground but honoring the world and the passion he put into making his dreams come true. His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today.”
Earlier this year, a five-part docu-series titled Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakurwas released on Hulu. Directed by Allen Hughes, who also spoke at the Walk of Fame ceremony, it explores the lives of ‘Pac and his mother, Afeni Shakur.