An authorised documentary on the life of Tupac Shakur has been announced. Amaru Entertainment—the company established by the late Afeni Shakur to release her son’s posthumous projects—has sanctioned the new film, which will be directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave).

“I am extremely moved and excited to be exploring the life and times of this legendary artist,” McQueen said in a statement.

“I attended NYU film school in 1993 and can remember the unfolding hip-hop world and mine overlapping with Tupac’s through a mutual friend in a small way.

Few, if any shined brighter than Tupac Shakur. I look forward to working closely with his family to tell the unvarnished story of this talented man.”

The film will be produced by Jayson Jackson (What Happened, Miss Simone?), White Horse Pictures’ Nigel Sinclair (The Beatles: Eight Days a Week), Nicholas Ferrall, and Shakur Estate trustee Tom Whalley. A new biopic about Tupac, All Eyez On Me, hits theatres next month.

Born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac, Makaveli, and Pac, was an American rapper, record producer, actor, and poet.

As of 2007, Shakur has sold over 75 million records worldwide.

His double disc albums All Eyez on Me and his Greatest Hits are among the best-selling albums in the United States.

He has been listed and ranked as one of the greatest artists of all time by many publications, including Rolling Stone, which ranked him 86th on its list of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.

On April 7, 2017, Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Punch