It’s almost as if Demetrius Shipp Jr. was destined to step into the shoes of Tupac Shakur from the very beginning. I mean, think about it—Demetrius Shipp Jr.’s father, Demetrius “Meech” Shipp, wasn’t just involved in music; he was a well-connected producer who actually worked with big names like Bobby Brown, Troop, and yes, even Tupac himself. That kind of connection adds an interesting layer, doesn’t it? But it gets even more uncanny. Throughout Demetrius Shipp Jr.’s high school years and even during his time working at Target, people kept telling him how much he looked like the iconic rapper. So often, in fact, that friends and coworkers started calling him “Tupac” as a nickname. Can you imagine growing up with that kind of attention?
So when director Benny Boom began casting for the lead role in the biopic All Eyez on Me (2016), Demetrius Shipp Jr. naturally emerged as a standout candidate—even though he had little to no acting experience. It wasn’t just about looks, though. There was something deeper, maybe even fated, about Demetrius Shipp Jr. taking on this role. Production kicked off in 2015, with familiar faces like Jamal Woolard and Kat Graham joining the cast, and Demetrius Shipp Jr. dove headfirst into preparation—attending acting classes four times a week to get ready for the challenge.
And while filming was underway, Demetrius Shipp Jr. didn’t slow down. He added another credit to his budding career by playing Marcus in the TV movie #unlock’d (2016), sharing screen time with actors Eden Marquis and Tamiya Cole. It’s clear that Demetrius Shipp Jr. was building momentum, one role at a time.
So, when it comes to Demetrius Shipp Jr., his most acclaimed performance definitely came in Cut Throat City back in 2020—that’s widely regarded as Demetrius Shipp Jr.’s highest-rated film so far. On the other hand, while he’s shown real potential, his role in All Eyez on Me from 2017 didn’t quite land the same way with critics or audiences, making it Demetrius Shipp Jr.’s lowest-rated movie to date. It’s interesting to see how Demetrius Shipp Jr. has evolved as an actor, especially considering the contrast between those two projects.