Picturehouse Blog



To mark the release of Tupac Shakur: The Authorised Biography by Staci Robinson, The Ritzy is hosting a day of books, films and music on Saturday 28 October.

This collaboration between Penguin Random House and Picturehouse, in the year of Hip Hop's 50th anniversary, sets out to shine a light on the multi-disciplinary talent that is Tupac Shakur.

During the day The Ritzy will be hosting screenings of two seminal '90s classics – Poetic Justice (14.40) and Juice (17.20). Every ticket holder for the film screenings will receive a free poster featuring the book cover artwork.

In the evening there will be a special '50 years of Hip Hop' night in the Upstairs bar (20.30 - 02.00) with "Team 4ENB" and Pure Vinyl with Surprise DJs playing the greatest rap songs throughout the decades, including Brixton's beloved rapper TY (the unofficial Mayor of Brixton).

Known first for his illustrious rap career, Tupac Shakur: The Authorised Biography explores how Tupac was also a multidisciplinary artist and creator, and is a powerful story of a life defined by politics and art, and a man driven by equal parts brilliance and impulsiveness.  Copies of the book will be available to buy at the cinema from 14.00-19.30 at a special pop up store from Round Table Books.

More about Tupac Shakur: The Authorised Biography 

There are legends, and then there is Tupac.

Tupac Shakur became one of the greatest and most controversial artists of all time, until his early, tragic death in 1996 at the age of twenty-five. Yet for all the ink spilled about his life and career, he remains misunderstood, even as his voice speaks just as commandingly about Black life as it did at the height of his fame.

In this book, the first and only biography authorised by Tupac's estate, author and screenwriter Staci Robinson peels back the myths and half-truths that have grown to conceal the man himself. With exclusive access to Tupac's private notebooks, letters, unpublished lyrics and uncensored conversations with those who knew and loved him best, Robinson tells a powerful story of a life defined by politics and art, and a man driven by equal parts brilliance and impulsiveness.

This is the story of dizzying success and its difficult, tragic consequences. And, of course, it is the story of music that will never die as it continues to touch and inspire millions around the world.

This event is presented in partnership with Dark Matter.