Jordan the Lion Faces Backlash After Filming Tupac Shakur’s Private Gravesite
Travel vlogger Jordan the Lion is receiving criticism after uploading footage from the private North Carolina property where Tupac Shakur’s cremated remains were laid to rest.
The controversy stems from Jordan’s recent video documenting the gravesite, which is located on property formerly owned by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, in Lumberton, North Carolina.
Despite describing the location as “abandoned,” the property remains maintained on behalf of the Shakur estate. Tupac relative Dante Powers has reportedly served as a caretaker for the property and grounds.
More significantly, the entrance to the estate is secured by a large gate displaying multiple No Trespassing signs.
Jordan nevertheless filmed extensively from inside the property, including footage of the house, surrounding grounds, and Tupac’s grave marker. Near the end of the video, Jordan himself referred to it as property that he had “snuck onto.”
The footage has since sparked criticism from viewers who questioned why Jordan did not seek permission from the Shakur estate before entering the property.
Tupac’s Private Resting Place
Tupac Shakur was cremated following his death in September 1996. His mother later buried his ashes on her North Carolina property in 2003.
Although Afeni publicly acknowledged that her son’s ashes had been buried there, the property was never established as a public cemetery or tourist attraction.
Shortly after Tupac’s ashes were buried, Afeni expressed her desire for her son to finally be allowed peace, saying she hoped people would “allow him to be gone” and adding, “I think we should let him be. He earned it.”
That history has added another layer to the criticism surrounding Jordan’s video.
Tupac frequently spoke during his lifetime about feeling exploited by the media, music industry, and people seeking to benefit from his fame. Decades after his death, footage of his private resting place is now being used as content for a monetized travel vlog.
Jordan’s video also concludes with a promotion for his Patreon account.
Dewmonic Abyss Covers the Controversy
Commentary YouTuber Dewmonic Abyss has now released a video examining Jordan the Lion’s visit to the property, titled:
“Jordan the Lion Trespassed on Private Property to Film Tupac’s Grave”
The video examines the footage Jordan uploaded, the No Trespassing notices visible at the property, the history behind Tupac’s burial, Afeni Shakur’s comments about allowing her son to rest, and Jordan’s own admission that he had “snuck onto” the estate.
Dewmonic also addresses speculation that Jordan may not have personally entered the property and could instead be presenting footage recorded by somebody else — a theory Dewmonic ultimately finds unconvincing.
The video additionally discusses Jordan’s history of copyright disputes with critics and the role of Fair Use when copyrighted footage is incorporated into criticism and commentary.
As Dewmonic argues in the video, the issue is not simply that somebody documented the grave of a famous musician. Tupac’s resting place has genuine historical significance, and fans understandably have an interest in seeing it.
The issue is the decision to enter clearly restricted private property in order to obtain that footage rather than requesting permission from those responsible for maintaining the estate.
Tupac finally got a resting place — and Jordan the Elephant found a way to monetize that too.
Watch the Full Video
Watch Dewmonic Abyss break down the entire controversy, including Jordan’s original footage, the history of Tupac’s gravesite, and the strange circumstances surrounding the visit.
Jordan the Lion Trespassed on Private Property to Film Tupac’s Grave
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