It all started with Chuck D. when he went on a radio show and announced that Tupac Shakur was alive and did not die on September 13, 1996. Then, Chuck gave the world 18 reasons why. After that one radio show, the rumors that Tupac Shakur was alive spread like wildfire and to this day, some people firmly believe that he lives. So, what keeps this theory going? What makes people believe, other than the fact they can't accept his death, that he is alive? Here are the top five reasons that have been circulating:

 

1. 2Pac started calling himself Makaveli, a take off on the Italian war strategist (also playwright, historian, diplomat), Nicolo Machiavelli. Tupac read many of his books and could be called a fan of the man who wrote The Art Of War. One of his strategies was to fake your death and thus fool your enemies.

 

2. On Tupac's Makaveli album, check out the inside where it reads: "Exit: 2Pac. Enter: Makaveli." Theorist believe that statement means he's alive.

 

3. In the video of "I Ain't Mad At Ya," 2Pac dies. Some say it foretold of his forthcoming death. "Toss It Up" came out under the name Makaveli and some say 2Pac was reborn and that's another sign. Plus in the video of "Toss," fans of the theory point out that 2Pac was wearing Penny Hardaway sneakers that were not available at the time of his death. And in the "Live & Die In L.A." video, again sneakers "point" to the "fact" that he is still alive because 2Pac was wearing Michael Jordan shoes that were not available when he died, either.

 

4. Immediately after hid death, the family had 2Pac's remains cremated. No autopsy, no viewing of the body and no funeral. In fact, memorial services were scheduled in Atlanta and in Los Angeles and then canceled.

 

5. The Seven Theory. According to people who are into numerology, the number seven keeps popping up around the death of 2Pac. He was not shot seven months after the relesase of All Eyez On Me and he was shot on September 7 and died seven days later. 2Pac was 25, so you add 2+5 and you get 7. The time of his death was 4:03. Again, add 4+3 and you get 7. On the Makaveli album, the number seven is talked about often and on one of the tracks a voice says: And if the Lord returns in the coming seven days, then we'll see ya next time. Some people who are into the seven theory believe that 2Pac is alive and will return in seven years.

 

So, what do you think?

 

Each one of these theoris can be logically explained. 2Pac simply liked Machiavelli, read his books and adopted a sound alike name. Period. Since "Toss It Up" and "Live & Die In L.A." were released after his death, a double could have been used and that would explain the shoes. With his funeral, grief is personal. However Afeni and the family decided to handle it was their choice and should never be questions. They did what was right for them. And the Seven Theory. Well, guess we'll have to wait to find out if it's true or not.