Rick Ross Praises Tupac At 40th Celebration, Mike Epps Gives $10k

Rapper Rick Ross expressed his affinity for Tupac Shakur at birthday celebration in Stone Mountain, GA, stating the rapper was a unique role model for a generation that looked up to the deceased icon.

The event, held at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) acted as a 40th birthday celebration for Tupac, which featured Meek Mill, Bun B, Warren G, Too Short, jazz singer/producer Roy Ayers and Erykah Badu.

"For a lot of lil' dudes in a single parent home [like me] with my mother, Tupac played father for a lot of dudes like me," Rick Ross said to the crowd at the event. "Tupac was the first one that showed me how to be fully committed. I took [aspect of him like] his [loyalty], to his hard work, his ethic, his family with me."

The Miami rapper also stressed the impact Tupac has had on the youth growing up.

Ross continued, "When we talk about his record sales, let's not forget the role he played to all the little Black boys around the world."

Comedian Mike Epps served as the Master of Ceremonies and he also presented Afeni Shakur with a $10,000 check for TASF. About 500 people attended the celebration.