Joel Anderson, a writer at Slate and host of the Slow Burn podcast, dives deep into the enduring mystery of Tupac Shakur's murder, discussing the recent arrest of Dwayne Keith Davis, a key suspect. He explores the emotional legacy Tupac left behind and the ongoing fascination with his life and death. The conversation also touches on the chaotic events leading up to the shooting, police investigations, and how new confessions are reshaping the case. Anderson’s insights create a compelling narrative around one of hip-hop's greatest tragedies.
Dwayne Keith Davis, also known as Kefi D, has admitted his involvement in the murder of Tupac Shakur, shedding new light on the case and leading to his recent arrest.
The investigation into Tupac's murder faced challenges from the start, including hesitant witnesses and difficulties in identifying the shooter.
Deep dives
Kefi D's Confession and Arrest
After years of silence, Dwayne Keith Davis, also known as Kefi D, has come forward and admitted his involvement in the murder of Tupac Shakur, leading to his recent arrest. In interviews and his autobiography, Kefi D provides detailed explanations of the events that transpired on the night of September 7th, 1996. Although he is not believed to be the actual gunman, Kefi D's confession sheds new light on the case and has led to murder charges against him. However, there is still confusion surrounding his motive and the identity of the actual shooter, as Kefi D has been inconsistent in his statements.
Challenges in the Investigation
The investigation into Tupac's murder faced various challenges from the start. Initially, witnesses were hesitant to cooperate with the police due to the antagonistic treatment they received. Furthermore, the drop-by shooting made it difficult to identify the shooter. Over the years, the case remained unsolved, with key evidence stored away. It wasn't until recently, with Kefi D's admission and new information coming to light, that the investigation gained momentum again. Despite some progress, cooperation among remaining witnesses remains unlikely, including Shug Knight, who has stated he will not testify.
Impact and Continued Uncertainty
While Kefi D's confession and arrest provide a sense of closure for some, there are still unanswered questions and uncertainties in the case. Kefi D's attempts to muddy the details and conflicting statements raise doubts about the accuracy of his account. Additionally, his autobiography includes statements he later disavows in interviews, casting further doubt on his reliability. As the legal proceedings unfold, there is a lingering sense among fans that true justice may never be fully served. Ultimately, Tupac's legacy as a groundbreaking artist and influential figure in hip-hop will endure, transcending the unresolved mysteries surrounding his tragic death.
For 27 years there was no arrest in the shooting death of rapper Tupac Shakur. Slate’s Joel Anderson explains how that finally changed.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette with help from Siona Peterous, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.