Photographs of Tupac Shakur will feature in a new book titled In The Limelight about the 1990s New York City nightlife.
The new book, titled In the Limelight, displays rare photographs taken by iconic New York photographer Steve Eichner. Published by Prestel, the book, released on October 20, gives the reader a full-color insight into the partying of the rich and famous in New York.
Working as a nightclub photographer in the 90s, Steve Eichner captured the nightlife of New York City. Loving the color, excitement and energy of New York’s club scene, he found happiness photographing others letting it loose. Nowadays mobiles have the capability of capturing the perfect picture. Whereas in the 90s, partygoers would rely on photographers like Steve Eichner to catch their memories.
Most of the clubs he worked for were where celebrities hung out. Some of the many high-profile names that Eichner has photographed include; Joan Rivers, Madonna, Prince and Tupac Shakur. The photographs that Eichner took of Tupac Shakur were from the evening of March 30, 1994, at Club USA.
Wearing his trademark bandanna, clutching a drink in hand, Tupac looks in a joyful mood. In one photograph, Tupac with a smile holds his fingers to his head in a pistol-like shape. He’s seen flanked by notorious music mogul and gangster, Jacques “Haitian Jack” Agnant. Priced at $45.00, In the Limelight undoubtedly showcases the glitzy lifestyle of some of the worlds most iconic figures.
This was a celebratory period for Tupac Shakur. The week before, Steve Eichner captured these now-iconic photographs of Tupac partying, Above the Rim hit movie theaters. Directed by Jeffrey Pollack, the movie also starred Duane Martin, Leon Robinson, Wood Harris and Marlon Wayans. The movie without a doubt proved a success, taking in $3,738,800 over the opening weekend.
In addition, the release of the soundtrack from Death Row Records and Interscope matched the success of the movie. It features artists like Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Nate Dogg and Tupac himself. Regulate, taken off the soundtrack, found itself nominated for Best Movie Song at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards.
Also watch: Wenzday Reveals Who Got Her Into Tupac’s Music
“He would not stand still. He stopped for a photo once in a while but he was bopping around the club looking at everything. He was excited like a kid with boundless energy and he was happy and he was a young guy who is in awe of the club itself because it was full of neon lights. Most of the time I was walking backward and shooting. Then I got this one picture of him where he’s holding his fingers to his head like a gun and I always thought it was foreshadowing of his murder. Such a poignant picture for me,” said Steve Eichner speaking of Tupac on March 30, 1994.
