All Eyez on Me

The curtain rises on Clinton Correctional Facility in 1995, as a documentary filmmaker (Hill Harper) and his crew descend upon the institution to sit down with the enigmatic Tupac Amaru Shakur (Demetrius Shipp, Jr.). With cameras rolling, the filmmaker sets out to capture the raw essence of the legendary rapper's life story.

Flash back to 1971 New York City, where Afeni (Danai Gurira), Tupac's mother and a former Black Panther, is released from prison after her acquittal on multiple charges. As she navigates the world outside bars, she airs her grievances with a reporter over the systemic injustices faced by African Americans, from society's prejudices to the very institutions sworn to protect them.

Growing up in East Harlem, Tupac (Demetrius Shipp, Jr.) is imbued with black pride and witness to multiple instances of racism and police brutality against his community. His stepfather, Mutulu (Jamie Hector), an Afrocentric Black revolutionary, plays a significant role in shaping Afeni's worldview, which she in turn passes down to her children. However, Mutulu's involvement in a botched armored truck robbery and the subsequent murder of two police officers and a guard makes him a wanted man by the FBI.

As authorities keep a watchful eye on Afeni and her family, Tupac is repeatedly caught in the crossfire. During a raid on their apartment, cops burst in, pinning the young Tupac and his sister to the ground. This harrowing experience leaves an indelible mark on the impressionable youth.

As Tupac enters his teenage years, he begins to distance himself from his mother's ideals and behavior. He eventually strikes out on his own, with his sister by his side. The rift between them comes to a head when Tupac catches Afeni purchasing drugs from a dealer outside his apartment. Enraged, he confronts the dealer, rescues his mother from her addiction, and later takes her to seek treatment, assuring her of her strength.

During this tumultuous period, Tupac finds solace in art, attending the Baltimore School for the Arts where he forms a close bond with Jada Pinkett (Kat Graham). She promises that their friendship will endure, and Tupac reads her a heartfelt poem he's penned, filled with admiration for her spirit.

As Tupac (Morgan Fox) embarks on his music journey with Digital Underground, he finds himself at the helm of chart-topping hits like "Same Song" under the guidance of manager Leila Steinberg. His artistic vision takes shape as he produces hip-hop albums, but controversy brews when he tackles gritty realities in songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby". The powerful lyrics tell the tragic tale of a young girl brutalized by her cousin, forced into prostitution, and ultimately murdered on the streets. Tupac passionately defends his art, arguing that it stems from the harsh truths faced by those living in poverty, and that no one is willing to lend a helping hand. Despite criticisms of misogynistic lyrics, he responds with the empowering anthem "Keep Ya Head Up", a tribute to strong black women.

Tupac's foray into acting commences in 1991 with roles in films like "Juice" and collaborations with fellow rap artists, including Biggie Smalls (Jamal Woolard). He effortlessly commands attention on stage, generating both accolades and backlash for his performances. Offstage, he garners praise for his philanthropic efforts, such as anonymously donating to impoverished black families. A poignant moment captures him handing out cash to two women and a young girl.

However, Tupac's encounters with authority often result in confrontations. He is repeatedly stopped by police for jaywalking and subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of racist officers. Another incident unfolds when he intervenes on behalf of a black man being assaulted by off-duty cops. After they brandish their guns, Tupac retrieves his own firearm, only to be arrested for shooting in self-defense.

In 1992, Tupac's performance at a music festival becomes marred by violence. A group of rival individuals seeks to provoke him, but he stands firm, warning them against further aggression. When one individual attempts an attack, Tupac defends himself, sparking a brawl that culminates in gunfire. Tragically, a 6-year-old boy is struck and succumbs to his injuries while cradled in his mother's arms.

Tupac's entrepreneurial spirit leads him to collaborate with a cunning music industry figure named Nigel (Cory Hardrict), and their professional partnership flourishes. However, when the business relationship turns sour, the duo's friendship disintegrates, prompting Nigel's loyal associates to seek vengeance against Tupac. Despite Nigel's explicit orders not to harm Tupac without his permission, his cohorts appear to disregard his instructions.

In 1993, Tupac meets a captivating woman named Briana (Erica Pinkett) at a club, where she charms him with her seductive nature. Their physical intimacy is brief but intense, and Briana's subsequent behavior becomes increasingly erratic as she bombards Tupac with obsessive phone calls. The tension culminates in a disturbing incident at a hotel room, where Tupac finds himself embroiled in a situation involving multiple men and Briana's tearful accusations of rape. As a result, Tupac faces trial for alleged harassment and rape charges.

On November 30, 1994, Tupac's life takes a drastic turn when he is brutally attacked by three assailants at Quad Recording Studios. Suffering five gunshot wounds, Tupac receives hasty medical attention before being rushed to the hospital. Biggie and other members of Tupac's entourage rush to his side, but are rebuffed when Biggie attempts to visit him in the ICU. Against doctor's orders, Tupac checks himself out of the hospital, setting the stage for a tumultuous period in his life.

The following day, Tupac's trial reaches its climax as he is acquitted of rape but found guilty of illegal touching, earning him an 18-month prison sentence. As Tupac leaves the courtroom, he laments the judge's apparent disinterest in justice and places his fate squarely in God's hands. This marks the end of the documentary filmmaker's involvement.

During his incarceration, Tupac discovers Biggie's song "Who Shot Ya?" and interprets it as a deliberate diss track celebrating Biggie's alleged role in his shooting. Tupac's time behind bars is marked by encounters with Mutulu, who encourages him to focus on his future artistic endeavors upon release. However, their conversation takes a dark turn when Mutulu commits an act of violence against another inmate. Tupac also suffers physical abuse at the hands of two prison guards.

As Tupac (Morgan Simpson) is released from prison after serving an 18-month sentence, he signs a contract with Death Row Records under the guidance of Suge Knight (Dominic L. Santana). This newfound partnership leads him to collaborate with renowned artists like Dr. Dre (Harold House Moore) and Snoop Dogg (Jarrett Ellis), resulting in the creation of chart-topping hits such as "California Love". Tupac's competitive streak is on full display when he releases a track titled "Hit Em Up", which serves as a scathing response to The Notorious B.I.G.'s (uncredited) "Who Shot Ya?". Tupac boldly brags about supposedly having an affair with Biggie's wife, Faith Evans (Grace Gibson), prompting Jada Pinkett (uncredited) to confront him about the song. However, Tupac remains nonchalant and dismissive, ultimately driving a wedge between them.

As Tupac becomes more entrenched in his life at Death Row Records, he witnesses firsthand the brutal tactics employed by Suge Knight. During a lavish dinner party, Suge publicly shames one of his associates for theft, forcing him to consume his meal off another guest's plate before being brutally beaten by Suge's henchmen.

Tupac's personal life is further complicated when he meets Kidada Jones (Annie Ilonzeh), daughter of renowned record producer Quincy Jones. Kidada is initially hostile towards Tupac due to his previous remarks about her father's romantic conquests with white women, which she perceives as a personal slight. Tupac attempts to diffuse the situation by explaining that successful black men often pursue relationships outside their race, but he ultimately means no disrespect. Despite this, Kidada remains unconvinced and initially rebuffs Tupac's advances. Over time, however, Kidada warms up to Tupac, and they eventually become engaged, with Afeni Shakur (uncredited) offering her blessing for the union.

In his final months, Tupac decides to sever ties with Death Row Records and establish his own entertainment company, aiming to produce a diverse range of music, movies, and television shows. Suge Knight reminds him that he is still obligated to fulfill existing business commitments. However, Suge later extends an olive branch, proposing a partnership where he would oversee the west coast operations of Death Row Records, while Tupac would handle the east coast. Tupac ultimately agrees to this arrangement, marking a potential new chapter in his career.

As the sun dipped below the Las Vegas horizon on September 7, 1996, Tupac (actor's name), Suge, and their entourage exited the MGM Grand after witnessing Mike Tyson's dominating victory over Bruce Seldon. The air was electric with the hum of adrenaline as they navigated through the throngs of fans and paparazzi. Suddenly, a Death Row Records associate alerted Tupac to a gang member who had jumped him and stolen his chain. Without hesitation, Tupac and their crew converged on the perpetrator, Tupac delivering a swift punch that sent the would-be thief crashing to the ground. Suge and his team subsequently joined in, raining blows upon the hapless assailant as Tupac was pulled away.

After changing into fresh attire at his hotel, Tupac confided in Kidada (actor's name) about the altercation, reassuring her he'd only be gone for an hour before departing with Suge. As they cruised down the highway, their convoy of vehicles trailing behind, they were approached by two women who struck up a conversation at a red light. However, Tupac's momentary distraction proved costly, as another car pulled up alongside them, its occupants remaining hidden from view. A firearm emerged from the shadows, and Tupac was riddled with bullets before the assailants fled the scene.

Suge frantically rushed Tupac to safety, driving approximately a mile before his tires suffered a catastrophic blowout. As they came to a stop, police officers on bicycles converged, attempting to intervene. However, Suge's associates arrived promptly, brandishing their own badges and calming the situation. With Tupac's condition rapidly deteriorating, Suge made desperate attempts to save his life as concerned bystanders gathered around.

The tragic aftermath would see Tupac succumb to his injuries just six days later at a local hospital, his murder remaining an open case to this day. At the time of his passing, the prolific artist had left behind a staggering legacy: 15 albums during his lifetime, seven posthumous releases, a total of 713 songs recorded and performed, and a notable filmography featuring seven movie credits.

The film concludes with a poignant clip of Tupac himself speaking candidly about people truly knowing him.