On April 7, 2017, Alicia Keys lit up the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with a soulful and powerful medley honoring Tupac Shakur at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Celebrating 2Pac’s posthumous induction, Keys performed a heartfelt tribute weaving together Ambitionz Az a Ridah, I Get Around, I Ain’t Mad at Cha, Dear Mama, and Changes. Backed by a full band and joined briefly by Snoop Dogg and T.I., her performance captured Pac’s spirit—his hustle, heart, and hope—while adding her own R&B magic. Available in HD, this moment is a standout in hip-hop history. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to vibe with and dive into why it still resonates in 2025!
What Was the Medley About?
Tupac Shakur, inducted 21 years after his 1996 death, was a rap revolutionary whose music blended street grit with poetic depth. Alicia Keys, a longtime admirer, crafted a 9-minute medley to showcase his range. She kicked off with the fiery Ambitionz Az a Ridah (from 1996’s All Eyez on Me), channeling its relentless drive. Then came I Get Around (1993), bringing playful swagger, followed by the reflective I Ain’t Mad at Cha (1996), a nod to forgiveness. Dear Mama (1995) hit the heart, honoring Afeni Shakur’s struggles, and Changes (1998) closed with its call for social justice, sampling Bruce Hornsby’s piano riff. Keys’ soulful voice and piano flourishes tied it all together, making Pac’s words feel timeless yet fresh.
Why This Performance Was Iconic
Keys didn’t just cover 2Pac—she reimagined him. Her medley, performed live for a 12,000-strong crowd and HBO viewers, was a masterclass in tribute. She opened at the piano, singing Dear Mama with raw emotion, her voice cracking as she honored Afeni, who’d passed in 2016. The band—drums, bass, guitars—shifted gears seamlessly, from Ridah’s G-funk thump to Changes’ mournful chords. Snoop Dogg, a Pac collaborator, joined for I Get Around, grinning and grooving, while T.I. jumped in on Ambitionz, adding a Southern rap nod. Yaki Kadafi’s son and Treach of Naughty by Nature also appeared, tying it to Pac’s Outlawz roots. Keys’ speech before the set, calling Pac a “prophet” and “poet,” set the tone—she was there to celebrate his life, not his death. Rolling Stone called it “soul-stirring,” and X posts from April 2017 buzzed with fans saying Keys “did Pac justice.”
The 2017 Rock Hall Context
The 2017 ceremony, the 32nd annual, inducted Pearl Jam, Journey, ELO, Yes, Joan Baez, and 2Pac, with Snoop accepting on his behalf. Held on April 7 at Barclays, it aired on HBO on April 29, drawing millions. 2Pac’s induction—his first year eligible, 25 years after 2Pacalypse Now—was historic, making him the sixth rap act in the Hall after N.W.A and Public Enemy. Alicia Keys, a 15-time Grammy winner by then, was a perfect choice: her soul-R&B style echoed Pac’s emotional depth, and she’d covered Ghetto Gospel in 2004, showing her fandom. The night was star-packed—Pharrell inducted Nile Rodgers, Rush honored Neil Young—but Keys’ medley stole headlines. Billboard noted its “vibrant celebration,” and Suge Knight, from prison, gave rare praise to Afeni’s legacy, per HipHopDX.
Where to Watch It
