This picture isn’t “exclusive.” To my knowledge, it’s been floating around the Internet for several years now.

The interesting facet about Tupac’s catalog is that many of the songs which never landed on any of his “living” albums are just as popular as some of his biggest hits. The other day, “Made Niggaz” came on shuffle. It was one of those tracks Pac recorded sometime in 1996; the same year which would prove to be the last of his life and the year which would spawn some of the more mythical marathon studio sessions the culture of Hip-Hop has ever known. 

According to a few sources Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are bringing back to life some special guests at this weekend’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: The late G-funk legend Nate Dogg, and rapper Tupac Shakur, who was gunned down in 1996, will also be resurrected by using holographic technology to bring their deceased collaborator back from the dead.

Joining them will be plenty of surprise guests like Eminem, Wiz Khalifa, and Nate Dogg’s partner in regulation, Warren G.

YouTube is streaming Coachella concerts live for the second year in a row. You can learn more about that here.

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1. Adele – 21 – 296,549 - Y’all thought I was joking when I said she has a legitimate shot at surpassing 10M albums sold? Well, I was. Forget “legitimate,” she will break that barrier some point very soon. She damn near sold 300K last week? Unreal.

2. Whitney Houston – Greatest Hits – 173,778 – For situations like this, I always refer to Jadakiss’ classic line. “Controvery sells, but not like death.”

4. Tyga – Careless World – 61,231 - Considering the success of “Rack City,” one would probably expect this number to be higher. Then you remember this number is based largely off digital sales because all of albums were taken off shelves, including Best Buy.

13. Drake – Take Care – 26,025 - I’m going to keep saying it until it happens (or doesn’t). A video for “Underground Kingz” would be dope.

14. Rihanna – Talk That Talk – 23,202 – Imagine the controversy that’d come if she and Chris Brown actually shot a video for their “Cake (Remix).” 

2Pac feat. Tha Dogg Pound – “NY 87″

2Pac – “Watch Ya Mouth”

I can’t remember where I read it – this was years ago – but I swear I recall reading some interview with Afeni Shakur and her acknowledging that hundreds of unreleased 2Pac songs were still in the vaults. The stories of his marathon recording sessions, especially during the year 1996, have become iconic urban legends in Hip Hop; they really help define his output as an artist.

Late last night, completely from left field, two new, unreleased tracks from Pac hit the Internet. Both showcase the aggressive side leaving no rapper he had problems with during the time unaddressed: Biggie, Bad Boy, Nas, Dr. Dre, De La Soul, Jeru and more. Even 15 years later, it’s still crazy (and eerie) as hell to hear Pac ride on his enemies.

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For the third consecutive year, Mike Epps and Afeni Shakur will host a celebration for the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. The celebration is on June 16th for Tupac’s 40th birthday and will be held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall in Atlanta, Ga. Headlining the event as far as performances go is Erykah Badu. Making a major appearance at this special event is Maybach Music Group’s own Meek Mill. Meek will hit the stage and pay tribute to Tupac by performing his single “Tupac Back”. Tons of artist and celebrities will be at this event including Jasmine Guy, DJ Drama, Too Short, Bun B and a few more who haven’t been announced at this time. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation for the Arts.

Seven days after what would have been his 39th birthday, another chapter was added to Tupac Shakur’s legacy. His song “Dear Mama” is now preserved in the Library of Congress. Tupac is one of only 3 American rappers to have that honor (following Public Enemy and Grandmaster Flash).

“Dear Mama” was chosen for its “moving and eloquent homage to both the murdered rapper’s own mother and all mothers struggling to maintain a family in the face of addiction, poverty and societal indifference.” The song joins 24 others to be added to the National Recording Registry this year.

You can view a complete list of the registry here.

Time passes. People pass. But memories don’t. Like November 22 in politics or April 4 in civil rights, March 9 and September 13 are two dates which will forever live in infamy. It never fails to cause that same sense of pride and sadness each year. If you’re still living under a rock, March 9, 2010, marks the 13th anniversary since the murder of Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. Depending who you ask, the name Biggie Smalls evokes acronyms of “G.O.A.T.” or “K.O.N.Y.” Regardless, “icon” is pretty much the settled upon title.

But with the pride and joy that comes with listening to his music, comes the depression of still unanswered questions. I was 10 when ‘Pac died and 11 with Biggie. I still remember hiding my cassette tapes of Ready To Die and Me Against The World under my bed from my mother. I knew the music was great, but it was only over time I’d understand the significance of their murders. I’ve got books on the subject, as well as DVD’s. In a sense, both Pac and Biggie’s death were horrible realizations of some of their lyrics. Like my big homie Gotty said, Pac seemed to embrace death while B.I.G. seemed to enjoy the finer things in life (even though he knew an early death was a very possible reality).