Afeni Shakur and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation announce details for the 2PAC 40th Birthday Celebration Concert, at the Atlanta Symphony Hall in Atlanta, GA, June 16, 2011. Hosted by comedian/actor Mike Epps, this star-studded event will feature a headlining appearance by GRAMMY® award-winning artist Erykah Badu, as well as performances by legendary soul artists Roy Ayers and Eric Roberson, and hip-hop heavyweights Too $hort, Bun B, and 8 Ball and MJG. Proceeds from the event benefit the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation.
“I am deeply honored to have been invited by Afeni Shakur to celebrate her son’s remarkable life,” says Badu. “I don’t take this distinction for granted.”
Since 2009, presenters, Mike Epps and Afeni Shakur have drawn thousands of 2Pac fans from around the globe to Atlanta for an annual day of music, art and culture in recognition of the icon’s lasting impact and influence. The event aims to not only revive Tupac’s spirit through art, but offer a prophetic representation of the late artist at age 40 – complete with a musical soundtrack that spans the soulful jazz sounds of Roy Ayers and to West Coast rap contemporaries such as Too $hort.
“With this event, we help keep Tupac’s legacy alive,” says Epps, “not only by bringing together the fans that know and love his music, but also by supporting his organization, and the causes he worked so hard for during his lifetime.”
Past celebrations have included performances by Rick Ross, Wacka Flocka, Lil’ Scrappy, M1 of Dead Prez and more. At last year’s concert, Dekalb County officials presented Afeni Shakur and Mike Epps with a proclamation officially naming June 16th as “Tupac Day.”
This June 16 will mark the 40th birthday of Tupac Shakur, a man whose impact on culture worldwide through his art, activism and passion is felt to this day. This year, fans, family, artists and performers alike will gather at the Atlanta Symphony Hall to both celebrate the life and further the cause of this remarkable individual.
Tickets are priced at $45-150.00, and are available exclusively at www.16thofjune.com.
