Mutulu Shakur, the stepfather of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur, has sadly passed away at the age of 72 due to a prolonged illness. The official announcement was made by the family on Instagram, accompanied by an artistic depiction of the late Mutulu Shakur.
The caption expressed heartfelt sentiments, stating, “Our beloved Mutulu joined the ancestors this morning at home with family. Please bless him on his path and we will share more soon. Rest in power and love.” This development comes merely seven months after Mutulu’s release from prison.
Having spent over 36 years behind bars, Mutulu Shakur, an esteemed elder in the Black liberation movement, was convicted for his alleged participation in a 1981 robbery that resulted in the loss of two lives. In a compassionate move, he was granted release in November 2022 following a diagnosis of bone marrow cancer.
Mutulu Shakur
In May 2022, a doctor from the Bureau of Prisons revealed that Mutulu had less than six months to live. However, it wasn’t until an October hearing that the federal parole commission acknowledged that the terminally ill individual posed no risk to society. Despite making numerous previous requests for release, Mutulu had been denied until medical reports showcased his declining physical health, cognitive impairment, and hallucinations. He spent his remaining days in Southern California, surrounded by his loved ones.
Mutulu Shakur’s conviction stemmed from his involvement in the 1981 robbery of a Brink’s armored truck, during which a guard and two police officers lost their lives. Alongside several fellow activists and leftist allies, he was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy. Mutulu acknowledged his responsibility for the incident and expressed remorse for the tragic consequences.
Before his incarceration, Mutulu was an active member of the Black nationalist organization Republic of New Afrika. He was also a renowned acupuncturist and played a pivotal role in advocating for holistic healthcare and self-determination among the Black community in the Bronx during the 1970s. In 1975, he married Afeni Shakur, the mother of Tupac Shakur. Although they divorced in 1982, they had a daughter named Sekyiwa together.
