News of April 16, 2012

Afeni Shakur's Blessing for the Coachella Performance

According to TMZ, Dr. Dre asked for permission beforehand and donated to the foundation. Afeni Shakur watched via livestream and was reportedly thrilled.

Afeni Shakur did not watch the Coachella performance in person, but at home via livestream. According to Rolling Stone, she was “positively thrilled”—thoroughly delighted. One day after the show, several media outlets reported, citing TMZ, that she had explicitly approved the projection of her son.

First the Approval, Then the Donation

Dr. Dre reportedly asked her for consent in advance. After she agreed, he reportedly donated to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, which Afeni had founded.

Nate Dogg Was Also Planned as a Projection

The Source added that an appearance by Nate Dogg as a projection had also originally been planned. Daz Dillinger reportedly announced that the festival organizers decided shortly beforehand on a video tribute instead.

Both are second-hand accounts: the reviewed reports do not contain a statement from Dre or from the estate itself.

Afeni Shakur: Panther, Mother, Keeper of the Estate Dr. Dre Nate Dogg