TUPAC SHAKUR'S FIRST PUBLISHING CONTRACT, SIGNED THREE TIMES
A historic Tupac Shakur document signed three times, an agreement concerning his first officially-released and acknowledged song: "Same Song". This is a "Publishing, Copublishing and Songwriter Agreement", 13pp. 8 1/2" x 11", between record label TNT Recordings and the legendary hip-hop artist which allows the label to publish the song recorded by the rap group Digital Underground, on which Shakur was credited as a co-writer and featured artist. Shakur also appeared in the music video for the track, portraying an African king. The track was released as part of the soundtrack for the comedy film "Nothing But Trouble", and also appears on Digital Underground's 1991 EP album "This Is An EP Release". The song marked Shakur's first credited work as a writer and performer, making the document presented here among his very first professional music publishing contracts. The contract is boldly signed three times by Shakur in blue ink, on pages 10, 12 and 13, and on page 12 he adds the date March 13, 1991. The contract is not countersigned by the label, indicating that it was likely part of a larger group of contracts. The document shows light pencil notations throughout in another hand. The document shows file holes at the top margin and staple holes at upper left, else near fine condition. The contract is accompanied by three signed and notarized affadavits (one for each signed page) from Atron Gregory, president of TNT Recordings and Shakur's manager for much of his career, attesting to the authenticity of each signature. Also present are two signed and notarized letters of authenticity issued by JSA/James Spence Authentication.