invest
February 1990
Tupac was no stranger to hard work, hustle, and the constant grind. But February 1990 brought an unexpected windfall. His latest single, "Dancing with the Devil," had taken off. A track born from his raw, unfiltered creativity, it had already sold over 2 million copies in just two months. The response was overwhelming, and the numbers didn't lie.
As the royalty checks began pouring in, Tupac knew that the game had changed. No longer was he just a rapper. He was a businessman, a visionary with control over his future. The single was certified double platinum, but the financial impact was just beginning.
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Tupac's Breakthrough: The Profit from "Dancing with the Devil"
By the end of February, "Dancing with the Devil" had sold 2 million copies. The average price per copy of the single was about $10, and with 2 million copies sold, the gross revenue generated was $20 million. But what was most important was how the royalties were split.
Gross Sales: $20 million
Death Row's Cut (60%): $12 million
Tupac's Royalties (30%): $6 million
For an artist like Tupac, this was a monumental payout. While Death Row took their 60%, Tupac's 30% cut amounted to $6 million. The label, which had been responsible for much of the groundwork, still made a profit of $6 million, but Tupac had just received the lion's share for his artistic contribution.
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Investment Decisions and Portfolio Progress
With his newfound wealth, Tupac didn't just sit back and enjoy his earnings. Instead, he continued to work his money, ensuring that his financial empire would only grow stronger. He had already been making smart investments in the stock market since late 1989, and the returns were starting to show.
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Microsoft (MSFT) Investment Progress
Tupac's first major investment had been in Microsoft. He had bought $400,000 worth of shares at the end of December 1989 when Microsoft was trading at around $21 per share. This gave him about 19,000 shares in the company. At the time, Microsoft was already becoming a force to be reckoned with, but Tupac saw more potential.
By February 1990, the price of Microsoft shares had risen to $25 per share. The increase might not have been massive, but it was steady growth. The value of Tupac's Microsoft shares had increased by $4 per share, bringing his 19,000 shares to an additional value of $76,000.
Initial Investment in Microsoft: $400,000
February 1990 Value of Microsoft Shares: $476,000 (profit of $76,000)
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Apple (AAPL) Investment Progress
Similarly, Tupac had invested $400,000 in Apple stocks. At the time of his purchase, Apple shares were priced at $3.50, giving him a total of 114,000 shares. By February 1990, Apple's stock price had risen to $4.50, which was still relatively low compared to its later peaks but offered consistent growth.
This rise in Apple's share price meant that Tupac's initial investment had increased in value. The value of his 114,000 shares had increased by $1 per share, bringing an additional $114,000 in profit.
Initial Investment in Apple: $400,000
February 1990 Value of Apple Shares: $514,000 (profit of $114,000)
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Other Investments: Intel, IBM, and Oracle
Tupac had also diversified his portfolio by investing the remaining $400,000 in a mix of companies like Intel, IBM, and Oracle. These companies were all in growth phases, with substantial potential in the tech sector.
By February 1990, Intel had increased from $35 to $40 per share, Oracle had risen from $25 to $30 per share, and IBM had moved up from $125 to $135. Each of these increases contributed a healthy amount of profit to Tupac's portfolio.
Intel Investment: $100,000 in Intel at $35 per share, now worth $114,285 (profit of $14,285).
IBM Investment: $100,000 in IBM at $125 per share, now worth $108,000 (profit of $8,000).
Oracle Investment: $100,000 in Oracle at $25 per share, now worth $120,000 (profit of $20,000).
Together, these three stocks had given Tupac an additional $42,285 in profit by February 1990, which further solidified the strength of his portfolio.
Total Profit from Investments by February 1990: $76,000 (Microsoft) + $114,000 (Apple) + $42,285 (Intel, IBM, Oracle) = $232,285
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Additional $5 Million Investment
With the $6 million he earned from "Dancing with the Devil," Tupac made the decision to invest another $5 million. His strategy was to balance his portfolio between stocks and more stable investments like gold and silver.
$3 million in Stocks: Tupac injected an additional $3 million into more tech stocks, focusing on companies like Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, and telecommunications companies he believed had potential.
$1 million in Gold & Silver Bonds: He placed $1 million into precious metals, buying gold and silver bonds, which he saw as long-term stability.
$1 million in Bonds: The final $1 million was invested in a mix of corporate and government bonds for steady interest income.
His financial knowledge, aided by Marcus, helped him invest in assets that would appreciate over time.
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Tupac's First Major Purchase: A Home for His Family
Despite all the money pouring in, Tupac understood the importance of family. He knew that his mother and sister needed security, so he made his first major purchase in February 1990—a $200,000 house in Los Angeles under his mother's name.
The house wasn't extravagant, but it was perfect for them. It was in a safe neighborhood, away from the streets. His mother, Afeni, and his sister, Sekyiwa, moved in shortly after Tupac secured the deal.
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Tupac's Personal Purchases
While making investments, Tupac also allowed himself to enjoy his success. He bought jewelry worth $20,000, including:
A gold watch
A diamond chain
A custom Death Row Records logo pendant
Tupac had always dreamed of owning a Buick GNX, one of the fastest cars of its time. Now, he finally made that dream a reality, purchasing the black GNX for $30,000. It was sleek, powerful, and matched his personality—bold and untouchable.
Tupac didn't forget where he came from. With Marcus's help, he established the Shakur Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to uplifting underprivileged communities. He appointed his mother, Afeni, as the leader and provided $1 million to fund its projects.
The foundation focused on:
Providing food and clothing to struggling families.
Funding job training programs to help young men and women find employment.
Creating educational programs to uplift the youth.
Additionally, Tupac donated $100,000 to local schools in Compton, distributing the funds equally to ensure every school got resources.
PAC never published this news because he didn't do for the good image. Ini
By the end of February 1990, Tupac currently net worth is around 7 million dollars but if you add death row then it will increase from 7 million to 20 million dollars from label share
With investments in tech, gold, and bonds, a home for his family, and charity work supporting the community, Tupac was proving he wasn't just making money—he was making a difference.