In a recent profile of Toronto coffeeshop Run and Gun Coffee, the owners revealed a special off-the-menu item that is available: the “Tupac.” Why is this particularly coffee named after one of the best rappers to ever do it? Because it has five espresso shots in it.
Yes, that’s right. The coffee is a play on the death of Tupac Shakur. In addition to the five espresso shots contained in the drink, the coffeeshop puts five dots of milk across the top of the latte that are supposed to look like bullet holes. Tupac was shot five times in his 1994 shooting at Quad Recording Studios. We’ll be over here shaking our heads.
Profiteering off of someone’s death is a fairly tasteless exercise, but is especially questionable when it’s one of the most beloved rappers of all time. Does referencing the shooting 'Pac didn't die in make it better? For what it's worth, the coffeeshop's name is supposedly inspired by the basketball offense, not gun violence.
We’ve reached out to Run and Gun Coffee for comment. They've also made a joke about the Notorious B.I.G., but it isn't as directly about his death. How do y'all feel about this?
