Lawsuit Over Three Hours of Tupac: Director Demands Rare Footage

Three hours of unseen footage, filmed at the home of Afeni Shakur: that is the core of a dispute between video director Stephen Blake and Universal Music Group. Blake filed a lawsuit at the Superior Court in Van Nuys, California, on September 1, 2020. He claims to be the owner of the rare footage featuring Tupac and wants to auction it off. AllHipHop reported on September 7, citing the Los Angeles Daily News.

Verbal Promise from 1993

In 1993, Interscope Records hired Blake to direct the video for Tupac’s Holler If Ya Hear Me. Alongside the roughly four-and-a-half-minute clip, three hours of exclusive raw footage were produced. In it, Tupac reportedly speaks about injustice and deaths he had witnessed. Blake says a former Interscope executive verbally promised him that he could keep the footage and these interview recordings.

Universal Holds the Master Rights

Today, Universal holds the master rights. The label ignores his inquiries, Blake explains. However, AllHipHop notes that according to the written contract, Blake was hired merely as a contractor. The lawsuit is an ongoing dispute; according to the report, no ruling had been issued.