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Nearly three decades after the rap legend’s 1996 killing, the trial for Tupac Shakur’s murder finally begins Monday.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis, now 63, is scheduled to appear in court on August 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, where he will face one count of murder with a deadly weapon and a gang-related allegation. Davis, the only person charged in connection with the rapper’s death, has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
The Case:
Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, after attending a Mike Tyson boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He was traveling in a BMW driven by Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight when another vehicle pulled alongside and gunfire erupted. The rapper died six days later at the age of 25.
The case remained unsolved for years before Davis was arrested in 2023. Prosecutors do not need to prove that Davis fired the gun. Instead, they are expected to argue that he played a role in organizing the attack and provided the weapon used in the shooting. They will rely heavily on Davis’ past interviews and his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” as key evidence.
The Witness List:
The prosecution has filed a witness list containing over 200 names. Among those expected to take the stand is Marion “Suge” Knight, who was in the car with Shakur at the time of the shooting. Knight is the only other surviving witness to the murder. Court filings identify Knight as one of the only surviving eyewitnesses who can offer firsthand testimony about the attack.
Other notable witnesses include former Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman and Joe Lombardo.
The Defense:
Davis’ lawyer, Michael Sanft, has maintained that his client is innocent. The defense has argued that Davis’ comments in his memoir were exaggerated and made to boost his public image rather than provide an accurate account of what happened. However, a judge has ruled that prosecutors can present Davis’ statements to jurors, including comments in which he described the book as the “real truth”.
Why It Matters:
Tupac Shakur’s death remains one of the most talked-about cases in music history. The trial could provide new details about the events that ended the life of one of hip-hop’s most influential artists. As his stepbrother Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Davis in May 2026, has said, the family is seeking justice after nearly three decades. For hip-hop fans who have waited 30 years for answers, this is a historic moment.
The Bottom Line: The Tupac murder trial begins Monday. Nearly 30 years after the rap icon’s death, the man accused of orchestrating his killing will finally face a jury.
Cardi B Scores Another RIAA Diamond Certification — And Throws a Private Party to Celebrate
Cardi B made history this week when “WAP,” her 2020 collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, became certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The certification came on Monday, August 3, for selling over 10 million units. “WAP” is now Cardi’s fourth Diamond certification and Megan Thee Stallion’s first. The certification gives Cardi the most Diamond-certified singles of any female rapper in history, with four.
The Record:
Cardi’s Diamond-certified hits now include:
- “Bodak Yellow”
- “I Like It” (featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny)
- “Girls Like You” (with Maroon 5)
- “WAP” (featuring Megan Thee Stallion)
“WAP” marks the first collaboration between two female rappers to reach Diamond status. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured a star-studded music video. Cardi and Megan first performed the track live together at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
The Celebration:
To mark the occasion, Cardi hosted a private party in New York City on Friday night. The party featured appearances from Teyana Taylor and Meek Mill. Cardi invited a mix of industry insiders and fans, joking on Instagram Live that she needed “the eaters, the slurpers” to celebrate.
What It Means:
Cardi’s achievement is a milestone for women in hip-hop. She is the first female rapper to earn four Diamond-certified singles in the U.S.. The milestone follows the release of her new solo single “Ah Ha,” which arrived on streaming services on July 31, continuing her 2026 release campaign.
The Bottom Line: Cardi B continues to break barriers in hip-hop. Four Diamond singles. A private party in New York. And a historic legacy that cements her place in music history.
The People’s Weekly — urban intel with a holistic social approach.
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