Tupac Shakur’s life and legacy will soon be celebrated with a limited-time museum “experience” in Los Angeles. The late rap icon’s estate announced the upcoming world premiere of “Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free,” arriving to The Canvas @ L.A. Live on Jan. 21, 2022.
Displayed in a newly built, temporary 20,000-square-foot space; the museum is described as a “fully immersive, thought-provoking experience that explores the life and legacy of the acclaimed artist and activist.” Equal parts museum, art installation and sensory experience, “Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free” will reportedly examine Tupac’s poetry, music, lifestyle and more through “technology, contemporary art and never-before-seen artifacts.”
The museum was a collaborative effort between Tupac’s estate; Nwaka Onwusa, the Chief Curator & Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at the Rock &Roll Hall of Fame; and Jeremy Hodges’s Project Art Collective firm.
“It is a privilege to be a part of such a monumental project,” Hodges said in a statement. “Tupac Shakur was my Malcolm; he was my Martin, and to build an experience that honors such a prolific man cannot be summed up in words. We wanted to create a memorable experience that will inspire you to be better than when you walked in, all while leaving you with the knowledge that he was a true revolutionary spirit.”
After its Los Angeles debut, “Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free” will travel to a limited number of U.S. and international cities over the next few years. The project is being co-produced by Round Room Live, CAA, Universal Music Group and Kinfolk Management + Media.
“Tupac Shakur was without a doubt one of the most important artists of his generation, transforming culture through his music and ideas,” Steve Berman, Vice Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, said. “‘Wake Me When I’m Free’ honors Tupac’s extraordinary contributions and I know I speak for the entire Interscope and Universal Music Group family that we are so proud to be able to collaborate with our partners to bring this incredible exhibit to life.”
Pre-sale tickets for the museum will become available on Nov. 9 at 10:00 a.m. PST on WMWIF.com, with general tickets going on sale on Nov. 12 at 10:00 a.m. PST. The museum website notes that the experience is only for individuals 14 years and older and includes a “sensory warning” due to “strobe lighting effects, simulated gunfire and sudden loud noises.”