Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur

by Jeff Pearlman

New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman turns his sharp eye and meticulous storytelling to one of pop culture’s most enduring and enigmatic figures—Tupac Shakur—presenting the definitive retelling of his life, complete with explosive new details. 

Scrutinized in life, mythologized in death, Tupac Shakur remains a subject of immense cultural significance and speculation nearly thirty years after his murder. Despite a multitude of books, documentaries, and even a feature film, much about Tupac’s story remains shrouded and misunderstood. Like many icons who died tragically young, Tupac the man has long been obscured—his edges sanded down, his complexity numbed—by the competing agendas that surround his legacy.

In Only God Can Judge Me, accomplished biographer and cultural historian Jeff Pearlman tackles his most nuanced subject, telling the definitive story of Tupac Shakur in unprecedented depth. In this authoritative look at Tupac’s life, Pearlman skillfully recreates West Coast hip hop in all its glory, going inside Death Row Records and on the sets of movies like Juice and Poetic Justice to offer the most clear-eyed rendering to date of the man who still casts a shadow over modern hip hop. But more than just a biography of a complicated figure, Only God Can Judge Me also captures the time and place in which Tupac rose, a singular moment in music history when West Coast hip hop became a phenomenon and transformed popular music.

Featuring nearly seven hundred original interviews and never-before-published details from every corner of Tupac’s life, the result offers a truly singular portrait of one of modern pop culture’s most towering figures.  Guided by the voices of those who knew and lived life alongside him, Only God Can Judge Me captures the layers of a man who, even thirty years after his death, remains as elusive as ever. 

Genres: Music, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Memoir

464 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Jeff Pearlman is an American sportswriter. He has written nine books that have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list: four about football, three on baseball and two about basketball. He authored the 1999 John Rocker interview in Sports Illustrated.

Reviews

[Sierra| HooksxBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, Only God Can Judge Me.

This has to be the most detailed and best biography I've ever listened to. Pearlman, went deep in the trenches to dig up the truth about Tupac's true upbringing - the good, the bad and the (real) ugly. I was 6 years old when Tupac died, I remember watching the people around me grieve, and I mean GREIVE this man. I remember dancing to his music, watching him on tv in movies that I shouldn't have been watching back then. I knew who he was, but his impact became what it was AFTER death.

Listening to this biography, and learning about who he really was, how he grew up and what his life was like. It gave me a perspective of Tupac that was different than what he portrayed himself to be. There were so many moments in Only God Can Judge Me where my jaw dropped, Learning more about Afeni and her drug habit. Tupac growing up without his father. Tupac and his sister having a strained relationship. The backstory to the Biggie and Tupac beef - tidbits I've never heard before.

Only God Can Judge Me truly showed Tupac as he was. Even down to the violence, his unstable mental health, the charges due to SA towards women and the strain with his family and friends. He carried a lot of weight on his shoulders and lashed out in ways that carried major consequences.

Kudos to Jeff Pearlman. You truly put the work in to find all of the right people to bring this biography to life. They brought the realness and the rawness that was needed for this to be the 5 star listen that it was. I enjoyed the narrator, James Shippy and his ability to code switch. He was able to narrate and give professionalism for the "essay like" portions and have the proper cadence and flow when it came to the lyrics, the AAVE, the lingo. It was enjoyable.

I plan on purchasing a hard copy of this book for my home. This is a coffee table book for sure.

I received a copy of this audio ARC from NetGalley.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a well-researched gift I have in my hands. I was lucky enough to win an ARC from the publishers and feel good about this being shared with the world. I am a longtime fan of Tupac; his music, his poetry, his films. You know, when people die, we like to turn them into Gods. This book shows the very human side to the man who left us too soon. He was talented, beautiful, and wise beyond his years. He was also flawed, with a dark side, and made some stupid decisions. I would recommend this book to any Tupac fan, but I would also recommend this to anyone who appreciates realness - good and bad. You don't have to know or be a fan of Tupac's work to appreciate his story, though it helps to connect, I think, on a more emotional level. I most certainly cried at the end. I will leave a quote from Pac's sister, Set Shakur, which really got me 😭

"My brother died feeling alone. He died with the world on his shoulders, unable to ever take a break. He couldn't rest because there were no saviors for him. There was no protection for him. There was no big cousin to guide him. There was no best friends. There were no safe harbors. He was so popular, but so alone."

thank you so much to Goodreads and @mariner @harpercollins for this ARC
I give this 5 full 🌟 stars to Jeff Pearlman's hard work.

[Eddie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was twelve years old when Tupac died. I’m about to turn forty-two, and somehow we’re still talking about him — and after reading Jeff Pearlman’s Only God Can Judge Me, I understand why.

Pearlman doesn’t write this like a gossip book. He writes it like a psychological study of a man who built a myth so powerful it swallowed him whole. Tupac wasn’t just living life — he was performing identity. You see him constantly shifting — around Suge Knight, he’s one person; when Suge leaves, another. It’s not schizophrenia, it’s survival. He built the “Thug Life” persona as both armor and advertisement, a brand that sold records and protected him, but also boxed him in.

What I love is how Pearlman doesn’t sanitize it. He shows the side that most people ignore — the impulsive, self-destructive side that kept putting him in danger. And here’s where I push back a bit: the author says Tupac wasn’t a thug, but if you’ve grown up seeing people crash out, throw their lives away over ego or impulse, you know that is thug behavior — not because they’re evil, but because they’re lost and reacting to environments that reward hardness over vulnerability.

This book made me feel like I was finally reading about the real Tupac — not the legend, not the mural, but the man. The contradictions, the genius, the emotional hunger, the need for love that fame could never satisfy. It’s haunting, it’s human, and it’s one of the best biographies I’ve ever read.

[Brandys_bookography · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to sit on this one for a few. I was one of those teenagers that grieved when Tupac was murdered. I was devastated by the prospect of him not being there anymore to use his lyrics to open your eyes to things that you may have not noticed or known about. Yes, not all of his songs were prophetic but there were a lot that was.

This book both written and audio was one of the best biographies that I know of telling Tupac's story. There were so many moments in his youth that really showcased how he because the man that he was. His life was not easy but he had skills and an unwavering belief in himself. Sure, he did not always make the right choice and was hot headed but you can understand his pain through memories of his classmates and the other people that was close to him throughout his too short life.

You get a real and deeply moving story of his childhood, where he lived and the unique tastes in books and music that he had. As someone who loved Tupac, there was a lit that I didn’t know. Some of it was troubling and some was just moments that you know even with all the poverty and trouble in his life that he lived for those moments. From performing in plays to reading a new Shakespeare book. Tupac had depth to him that makes you understand some of the stories he told through his lyrics.

James Shippy did a great job on the narration of this book. He was able to bring some of the emotion to statements made in this story. I cannot recommend this book enough. I will absolute have to get my own print copy of this because it just deserves to be mixed in with some of my other favorite reads.

Thank you NetGalley, Mariner Books, and HarperAudio Adult for allowing me to read and listen to this story early. All of my opinions are my own.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's always interesting to read a biography about a celebrity through another perspective. This one was a good example of that. The detail, depth and research put into this book was impressive and I enjoyed the storytelling aspect of it. I grew up being intrigued by Tupac because he had a noise piercing and because he rapped with such passion that you couldn't not listen to his songs. I knew most of his career highlights through my husband (Big Tupac fan) and biopics I watched but this book focused heavily on what lead to his existence.

It was enlightening to learn about his mother and her background for the first third of the book and then transitioning to his childhood, his time at BSA for theater, ballet and arts, and then finally getting into the rap game. The details tied in to famous moments and events was what kept me fascinated with this one and told Tupac's story with an emotion we will always be curious about for the truth. By the end, I felt a new appreciation for Tupac or perhaps new empathy for a young life gone too soon.

I know nothing about Jeff Pearlman but I did appreciate the immense research he went after for this book. The amount of people he interviewed and the digging that was done to articulate this story was clear in the delivery of this biography. Kudos to the narrator James Shippy because it was eloquently narrated, whether it was switching to verse or slang, he did it seamlessly without taking away the story's focus.

Special thanks to Harper Audio and Mariner Books for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

As a person born in the mid 80s, I was a huge Tupac fan as a kid and I remember the news coverage of his death vividly. However, this book showed me how little I really knew about the life Tupac lived before he died at 25.

Pearlman doesn't shy away from the unsavory and negative aspects of Tupac's life instead of giving a sanitized account. Learning more of how Tupac treated women was tough to swallow, but Pearlman did mention the dichotomy at play between the songs he wrote to empower women and his behavior behind closed doors. There is a fair amount of misogyny and discussion of sexual assault, so be aware before jumping in. 

The mini deep dive on Suge Knights early life was not expected, but I think it did shed a lot of light on how it helped explain who Suge became when he gained power through Death Row. 

This book was obviously well researched and Pearlman obviously respects Tupac Shakur. I'm not sure if him mentioning he might believe Tupac isn't really dead was truly needed though. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. 

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Pearlman’s Only God Can Judge Me is a stunning, deeply human portrait of Tupac Shakur. Not just the legend, but the man behind the myth. With his trademark blend of fearless reporting and compassion, Pearlman delivers a biography that feels alive, honest, and impossible to put down.

This isn’t just another retelling of Tupac’s rise and fall. It’s an exploration of art, anger, genius, and contradiction. Pearlman captures Tupac’s brilliance and flaws with such nuance that you walk away feeling like you’ve truly met him. The research is impeccable, the pacing electric, and the storytelling cinematic.

Every page pulses with emotion and truth. From Tupac’s early days of hope to the chaos of fame and the tragedy that followed. Pearlman honors his subject without mythologizing him, offering a raw, empathetic look at a man who changed culture forever.

🔥 Verdict: 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A masterpiece of biography and cultural journalism. Only God Can Judge Me isn’t just about Tupac. It’s about America, art, and the enduring struggle to be seen and understood. Absolutely unmissable.

[Anniee Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review – Only God Can Judge Me by Jeff Pearlman
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early.

Only God Can Judge Me offers a detailed, well-researched look into Tupac Shakur’s life—from his rise in music and acting to the chaos surrounding Death Row and his untimely death. Jeff Pearlman clearly put in the work, and it shows in the depth of interviews and insight.

While I appreciated the thoroughness, the book didn’t fully pull me in. It felt more like a report than a story at times, and I found myself wanting more emotional connection or narrative flow. Still, for fans of Tupac or hip-hop history, there’s value here.

[Jack Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads for the advanced copy I won in their giveaway. Jeff Pearlman is the greatest nonfiction writer of this era in my opinion, no one attacks the story harder than Jeff. What an amazing read and captivating that explored everything about Tupac. Everytime I read an underwhelming book or am in a reading rut, I look for a Jeff Pearlman book. Not many non fiction authors are hilarious, detail-oriented, and eccentric as Jeff. The man puts in 100’s of interviews per book. I’ve yet to read a mid book by Jeff and I believe he fully exceeded my expectations in his shift in genre and his first non sports book!

[John Kerth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I've read several of Jeff Pearlman's previous books and, as his first non-sports biography, this was right up there with the best of them. Pearlman covered Tupac Shakur without rose-tinted glasses, painting a vivid picture of a brilliant yet troubled artist. Look past the headlines and sensationalist stories and you find a talented but flawed man who just didn't seem to know who he was.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five out of five stars.

I would like to start out by letting you know that I personally knew very little about Tupac Shakur prior to reading, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur by Jeff Pearlman. I will say I could name a few song titles, sing along to a couple choruses and knew what he visually looked like, but that’s about it. After completing this beautifully researched and written book I’m proud to say I know a lot more.

I found that, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur by Jeff Pearlman left me with a much deeper appreciation for Tupac and his life story. The book spans Tupac’s life from his meager beginnings to his untimely passing. I found that the pace of this book felt perfect. I never felt like a section of Tupac’s life was rushed through.

Jeff Pearlman has done an amazing job of portraying every complex side of Tupac in this book. Tupac lived through many hardships; moving frequently, growing up poor, living with an addict, and navigating rough neighborhoods. After all of that and against all odds he somehow ended up being someone who should be remembered.

Whether or not you enjoy rap, this book is worth reading. Tupac’s life was fascinating, and I had no idea how much I was going to enjoy this title when I started it. Even though I personally grew up in very different situations than Tupac; his life still had glimmers of relatability. I think that anyone who chooses to read, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur by Jeff Pearlman will finish the book feeling like they made a good choice by picking it up.

I am truly thankful for being given the opportunity by NetGalley, author Jeff Pearlman, and Mariner Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Famously infamous figures are the hardest to hear about. Tupac has been dead for nearly 30 years. He is remembered as almost a mythical being. Jeff Pearlman successfully takes on the task of dissecting Tupac's life from the beginning. Even super fans might not know much of the information Pearlman includes. As mentioned in the acknowledgements, he interviewed close to 700 people for the book. The result is a narrative with well-backed evidence. The reader learns that Tupac was a much more complicated individual than his public persona let on. Tupac was a genius poet, actor, lyricist, and creator. However, how he truly lived from the beginning to end of his life is covered only in this book. The story is beautiful and heartbreaking. It doesn't matter if you weren't alive for the events of the book; you feel every moment. You can visualize the apartments and houses Tupac grew up in. You can hear the sounds of the cities he lived in. You can feel the weight of his choices. You finish reading with a mental dichotomy of Tupac. On one side, he's the smart, sensitive actor just trying to be seen, heard, and loved. On the other, he commands nonstop attention, makes detrimental choices, and acts like he's playing the part of a thug. It's heartbreaking to think what he could have become, but this book demonstrates that Tupac was a multifaceted being in ways not yet known by the public. Pearlman's commitment to research shines through this book. Though much of it is quotes, it flows like a story more than a biography. In piecing together the collective memory of Tupac, Pearlman ultimately creates a masterpiece.

[Honestly Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride. Tupac remains a towering figure not only in rap and hip hop, but also in 90s pop culture. When I came across this book, my inner child demanded I read it—and I’m so glad I did.

What makes Tupac so endlessly fascinating is his complexity. He was an enigma: a poet, the son of a Black Panther, an art student, and a West Coast gangsta rapper. Only God Can Judge Me thoughtfully unpacks those layers, offering a glimpse into the many sides of Tupac. Still, I’m not sure we’ll ever truly know who he was at his core.

From a young age, Tupac had to master the art of survival, which meant knowing who to be and when. That adaptability was part of his brilliance, but it may also have contributed to his downfall. This book, however, captures his humanity, allowing us to see the “baby” behind Brenda’s Got a Baby—a song that, heartbreakingly, remains as relevant in 2025 as it was in the 90s (Google Na’Ziyah Harris for proof).

And that’s Tupac’s enduring brilliance: his ability to spotlight the issues that continue to plague our country, particularly communities of color. Sadly, so much of what he rapped about hasn’t changed—but that’s also why his voice and message still carry so much weight today.

A fascinating, engaging, and deeply moving read. Without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve picked up this year.


Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

[Mim_Who _Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Pearlman’s Only God Can Judge Me presents Tupac Shakur in all his complex layers. brilliant, magnetic, and vulnerable. What stood out the most was the author’s ability to strip away myth and present the person behind the legend, weaving together a good amount of research and first-hand accounts into something that felt real and unapologetic. The narrative provides a multifaceted image of Tupac but at the same time it sort of doesn’t sanitize or glorify the late amazing artist. For those curious about Tupac as more than just an icon, this book digs beneath the surface and reveals the heavy burdens he carried, the spaces he transformed, and the tragic loneliness that shadowed him until the end.

The book also shines a light on the layers of oppression and inequality many Black people face in this society. It shows that success isn’t simply a matter of pulling oneself up by the bootstraps, because the systems in place often work against them. I truly enjoyed this book

I listened to the ALC from NetGalley, and while the narrator’s voice was pleasant, the delivery often felt monotone and flat. It was more like a 5PM news report than a compelling story. Having said that, it didn’t take away from the overall narrative and its message.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | Mariner Books for the ALC

[Adam Parrilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems there will never be a DEFINITIVE book on Tupac Amaru Shakur, that is, until he himself pens it. This book, like every other one of its ilk, still manages to stoke the faintest flame of conspiracy that 'Pac is alive and well somewhere in Havana, Stockholm, or Sydney.

The greatest section of this book for me was the come up. Tales of Tupac's youth and teenage years in NYC, Baltimore, and Marin City. I was definitely surprised that the author, Jeff Pearlman, undertook this subject. Most of his other books are about sports celebrities. It is a well done work on an impossibly difficult to trace individual. Based on his public persona it's astounding that Tupac is described as "effeminate" innumerable times in this book. Tupac was so misunderstood and sadly allied with the wrong people/person.

I hope Tupac is resting wherever he is and at least we have the brilliance of his music to keep us. Pour one out and pump the tune "Check Out Time." Rest in power, legend.

[JSinghD · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author said on a podcast that Tupac couldn’t fight or shoot a gun, that makes me question what angle the white author was playing, and what is actually factual in this book.

Napoleon from the Outlawz, Tupac’s aunt, rapper Shock G, and Snoop Dogg all said he could shoot. We have videos of him at a gun range. There was literally a trial about him shooting cops. K Solo and Kurupt talked about Tupac fighting,

Tupac grew up around Black Panther Party members. A man raised around revolutionary violence who had a sensitive and poetic side, but also involved in gangster rap.

Staci Robinson, who met Tupac when they were young, released a biography on Tupac last year that his estate gave permission to, not sure why this was needed.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Pearlman does a great job at flushing out Tupac Shakur's life and how the circumstances he grew up with (a drug addict mother Afeni, no father, humble beginnings) shaped who he was as an artist. I thought I knew a lot about Tupac's life, but found that it was not the case at all! There were so many nuances that were flushed out. Some examples - finding the now-adult baby that inspired the song "Brenda's Got a Baby"; interviews with prior music partners, teachers, Pearlman did such a good job giving us a rich context of Tupac's life; you can tell that he did a lot of work gathering the information to present this very thorough biography. Kudos to him for such a great job!

Thanks to NetGally for the advance copy of this book. I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think there is nothing left to be said about Tupac, you have clearly never touched this book. With a subject matter that has been detailed countless times, Pearlman is somehow able to deliver a product packed with hard-earned nuggets of detail that leave you craving the next page. Tupac sprinted through life at superhuman speed, but this book manages to capture the moments that define him most and create something magical. As ubiquitous as he is, Tupac is portrayed with a rare nuance. "Only God Can Judge Me" does not tell the tale of an untouchable rap icon, but rather the thrilling, tragic, and definitive story of Tupac Shakur.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this upcoming book***
As someone who grew up during the heyday of the East Coast/West Coast rivalry that consumed hip-hop music in the 90's, this book is like being a fly on the wall for Tupac's view of things. This book is so much more and is a wonderfully written deep dive into the short life and times of the enigma that was Tupac Shakur. This is a must read for all hip-hop/music fans and I can't recommend it enough.

This is my second Pearlman book (the first being "The Bad Guys Won!) and I will definitely be checking out his other works in the future!

[Aaron Buitron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I went into this book knowing very little about Tupac Shakur, hip hop music has never been terribly appealing to me but from what little I knew of him Tupac always struck me as a fascinating figure. Jeff Pearlman’s biography certainly reinforced that notion, he gives a full picture of Shakur’s artistic talents and his compassion and sensitivity while at the same time laying out his flaws and poor decisions that got him in trouble. I can whole heartedly recommend this book fans of Shakur as well as anyone who just enjoys an engrossing biography.

[Jackson Herod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Pearlman

I got super excited when I saw this was the next book Jeff Pearlman was working on, because I knew he'd put the time in to make it special. Boy, was I right. Pearlman spent years working on this book, and multiple times I stopped reading to message friends about something new I learned about Tupac. If you are a fan of Tupac's music, or his films, grab this book today. I can almost guarantee you will learn something new about this extremely talented, yet flawed man.

[Francisca Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only God Can Judge Me by Jeff Pearlman is written in a way I respect. It seems to be written with very little bias from the author and conveys the troubled life Tupac had. I enjoyed learning more about his life that hasn't been told through the years, as well as reminders of other things that have.

James Shippy is a good narrator.

Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for providing me with an ALC.

[Jessi B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the early read.
It felt more like watching a documentary than reading a book, the content was very matter-of-fact and unfiltered. It lays out Tupac’s life in a raw way, it gave a deeper understanding of Pac beyond the headlines and rumors.

[Ashley Beard]

This book was far too long and I couldn’t even finish after listening to 42% of it. Maybe I’ll come back to it eventually, but it hasn’t held my interest so far.

I received a copy of this audio ARC from NetGalley.

[Davi Kladakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

ThankyouThank you, thank you, NetGalley, for the audio ARC of this book. I literally bought the physical copy yesterday. This is a very good biography about Tupac. ( I have read several), and I love his music. This book tells almost everything.. from his birth to his murder.

[Brendan O'Meara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few biographers go at their subjects with the rigor and tenacity of Jeff Pearlman. It doesn't matter if you like hiphop or not, a good story is a good story and Jeff delivers.

[Terrence Bizor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that provides so much depth in who Tupac really was. Love it

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

For readers drawn to culture, music, and the fight for justice. Or those simply captivated by the unfiltered journey of a life lived boldly…this book is a must-read. Fans listen… you should prepare to face some things you may have never heard, the kind that may challenge what you thought you knew, but ultimately deepen your understanding.

Thanks for the ARC of this audio!

[Andi Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly, incredibly well researched and written. That said, it is not a memoir. It is (and is written as) a biography of Tupac Shakur. I walked away knowing so much more about Tupac and being even more interested in watching the murder trial in Las Vegas as it progresses.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book.