2Pac's long-dead career sparks controversy with new Billboard hit

In the United States, the posthumous success of rapper Tupac Shakur continues to grow as songs previously released during his lifetime gain renewed interest, primarily due to social media influence. One remarkable instance is his track 'How Do U Want It,' a collaboration with the R&B duo K-Ci and JoJo, which has recently debuted at a high position on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart. The song, originally released in 1996 as part of the acclaimed album 'All Eyez On Me,' has been revitalized in popularity through TikTok, where it has reached a younger audience and prompted increased sales that led to its ranking on the chart. The song's rise on the Billboard chart marks a significant achievement for 2Pac, who has only five total hits listed on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart, all occurring posthumously. The first indication of 2Pac's enduring popularity came in 2022 when his song 'Dear Mama' debuted on the same sales list, eventually peaking at No. 19 a year later, highlighting his timeless appeal and influence. Such developments illustrate the powerful role of digital platforms, particularly TikTok, in reshaping the music landscape and introducing classic tracks to new generations. The new listeners purchasing 'How Do U Want It' demonstrate a resurgence in interest for 2Pac's catalog, which has seen songs from the 90s reignite conversations in the modern music scene. Many of his works, crafted under various monikers including Makaveli, have continued to resonate over the years, proving that time has not diminished their impact or significance to both fans and the industry. The legacy of 2Pac not only contributes to the evolution of hip-hop but also sets the stage for current artists to draw from the rich history that he helped to establish. As the music industry witnesses this resurgence of interest in classic hip-hop tracks, it sparks a larger conversation about the influences of social media in modern music consumption and the ways in which it redefines audience engagement with historical figures in the genre.