Afeni Shakur Set Up an Air-Tight Trust to Protect Tupac’s Music

In March, there was speculation that Tupac’s estate could be at risk, as his mother Afeni Shakur went through the process of divorcing Gust Davis, who was seeking half of all profits earned from it. The rap world was saddened on Tuesday (May 3) to learn of Afeni’s passing, but according to TMZ, she went through all the necessary steps to ensure that Pac’s estate and legacy would be properly handled without here.
A trust has been set up to control all of Tupac’s music rights, with Tom Whalley, the former head of Warner Bros. Records, named as executor. As TMZ reports, the trust is specific about heirs, with the money earned by the estate, close to $1 million a year, going to select charities and family members. Afeni was survived by her sister Gloria and daughter, Sekyiwa Shakur, who was likewise Tupac’s half sister.
Davis is not mentioned in the trust at all, meaning that regardless of the divorce proceedings, Tupac’s money and music will remain untouchable. Howard King, the attorney who represented Afeni, also worked with Prince, and said that while Prince hated dealing with paperwork and rarely listened to advisors, Afeni was the exact opposite, resulting in an air-tight trust protecting Pac’s legacy.
Afeni passed late Monday evening after deputies arrived at her Sausalito, Calif. home, responding to a possible cardiac arrest. She was 69 years old. Below, Snoop Dogg, Bun B, Questlove and more react to the news of Afeni’s passing.