Death Records Now

PART 2 of 4. PTBTV aka Pushin’ The Bay EXCLUSIVE! In this exclusive / raw video, Ray Luv speaks with Mopreme Shakur of THUG LIFE.

Mopreme Shakur, (born 1969 in New York as Maurice Harding) originally known as Wycked, is a West Coast rapper and was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. As a child Mopreme lived with his father, Mutulu Shakur, his fathers wife, Afeni Shakur and his younger brother Tupac Shakur.

He is the older step-brother of slain rapper Tupac Shakur and son of Mutulu Shakur. In 1982, while Maurice was still a pre-teen, his father Mutulu became a fugitive wanted by the FBI, charged in part with having aided Maurice’s aunt, Assata Shakur, to escape from prison in New Jersey, where she had been incarcerated for the murder and wounding of two state troopers. As a result, Mutulu was imprisoned in 1986 after spending four years at large on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

His talent and love for music began to manifest itself in early childhood, where he could be found rapping on the streets of Queens. Mopreme knew early on in his life that he wanted to pursue a career in the music industry.

As a young adult, Mopreme served in the military for a brief period before moving to Oakland, CA. It was in Oakland that Mopreme hooked up with Tony! Toni! Tone! and recorded the hit song “Feels Good” off their multi-platinum album The Revival.

Mopreme’s first appearance on wax, under the alias Mocedes, was on Tony Toni Toné’s hit single “Feel’s Good” in the year 1990. His first collaboration with his brother was on the single and video “Papaz Song”, from the 1993 album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. He was an original member of both his Thug Life group, as well as a premier member of Outlawz. Mopreme dropped out of the group, but contrary to rumors, was never signed to Death Row Records; he also claimed that Suge Knight prevented him from seeing his brother.

In 1993, Mopreme joined his brother Tupac on the single “Papaz Song”, off Tupac’s second album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. It was also around this time the Thug Code was developed by Tupac, Mutulu and Mopreme. The Thug Code ultimately led to the development of the group Thug Life.

The group consisted of Tupac, Mopreme, Big Syke, Macadoshis and Rated R. In 1994, they released the album, Thug Life Volume 1. Mopreme was featured on 6 of the 10 songs including the hits “Bury Me A G” and “Cradle To The Grave”.

Next on Mopreme’s rap resume was an appearance on Tupac’s multi-platinum All Eyez On Me album. Mopreme showcased his lyrical skills on the song “When We Ride”. Mopreme continued to perform and record with his brother until Tupac’s untimely death in 1996.

Mopreme has recently dropped the mixtape “Assassin & Mopreme Shakur Present: Black & Brown Pride”.

Mopreme was recently featured on the soundtrack for the feature film “Intoxicating” starring Kirk Harris, John Savage and Eric Roberts.

In June 2008, Mopreme revealed that he had signed on as a consulting producer for the upcoming episode of BET’s series, “American Gangster,” titled “Mutulu Shakur and The Republic of New Afrika.” The show will feature his incarcerated father Dr. Mutulu Shakur, an important leader the Republic of New Afrika in the 60s and 70s.

Links to visit: www.pushinthebay.com – www.youtube.com/pushinthebay – www.myspace.com/emceet – www.emceet.com – www.youtube.com/emceetvids – www.rayluv.com – www.myspace.com/therealrayluv – www.youtube.com/therealrayluv

©2008 Pushin’ The Bay TV / PTBTV, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All videos filmed & produced by Shaun Tai for ZTY MEDIA. Using our copyrighted video (promotional or otherwise) is illegal without specific, written permission – please email shaun@ztymedia.com.

Duration : 0:5:40

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