When legendary rapper Tupac Shakur passed away in September 1996, the world mourned the loss of one of hip-hop’s most influential and prolific artists. However, behind the fame, platinum plaques, and chart-topping hits, there was a shocking financial reality — 2Pac reportedly had just $7,000 in his bank account at the time of his death, despite selling over 14 million records during his career.

After his passing, 2Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, hired an accountant to investigate where her son’s earnings had gone. The results were eye-opening. Much of the money from his record sales had reportedly been consumed by legal fees, bail costs, lavish lifestyle expenses, and debts. On top of that, 2Pac’s recording contract at the time was structured in a way that left him with only a fraction of the profits from his music — a common situation for many artists in the industry, especially during the 1990s.

What Afeni discovered was a harsh reminder of how the music business can be just as ruthless as the streets. While 2Pac’s artistic legacy and cultural impact remain unmatched, his financial struggles revealed the hidden battles many artists face behind the scenes.

Even with the limited funds he left behind, Afeni Shakur worked tirelessly to preserve her son’s name, eventually turning his posthumous releases and brand into a multi-million-dollar empire, ensuring that 2Pac’s legacy would live on for generations.

It’s a story that proves success in the music industry isn’t always measured by chart positions or record sales — sometimes, the truth lies in the contracts, the fine print, and the people managing the money.