Beast Video Announces Unofficial Tupac Documentary

Original: “Interview CDs, Videos Due Out On Nirvana, Tupac, Others” · MTV News · no byline · August 26, 1997

Anyone holding archival material after Tupac’s death could turn it into cash-even without the family’s permission. On August 26, MTV reported on two small companies that planned to release fan products in the fall. Tupac plays only a minor role in the industry report, but it exemplifies how quickly the unauthorized market grew.

New Interview CDs from Son of Beserkley

The first part of the MTV report revolves around Matthew Kaufman’s revived label, Son of Beserkley. He announced interview CDs: a three-CD set featuring the Smashing Pumpkins recorded shortly before drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was fired, as well as one of Nirvana’s final interviews with the full lineup, a few months before Kurt Cobain’s death. Earlier releases featured conversations with Jerry Garcia, Jim Morrison, and Oasis.

Beast Video Plans Documentaries on Tupac and Biggie

The second part is where things get interesting for Tupac fans. The new company Beast Video announced two unauthorized documentaries for early September: Tupac: Words Never Die and Notorious B.I.G.: Bigga Than Life. For these, the label purchased unreleased concert footage and interviews from radio and television stations. Next, Beast planned an unofficial production on the Spice Girls.

An Ongoing Problem for the Estate

In the months that followed, bootlegs surfaced with increasing frequency. As late as 1998, MTV reported several times on unofficial Tupac records in stores. For Tupac’s family, this market evolved into an ongoing problem. When it came to merchandise, Afeni Shakur had already won a court injunction in January 1997 barring Death Row and other companies from selling goods bearing Tupac’s name or likeness. With concert recordings and interview tapes, however, the rights were often far less clear.

The Missing Year in the Date

In the original, the report carries only the date “August 26.” However, the mention of the Spice Girls, who broke big in the US in 1997, and the posthumous documentaries on Tupac and Biggie point clearly to the year 1997.