Posted by Actively Black
on September 25, 2026
Black Enterprise reported in December 2024 that Actively Black, the Black-owned athleisure brand founded by Lanny Smith, was launching a limited-edition collection inspired by Tupac Shakur in partnership with the Shakur Estate. The story, “Actively Black Launches Limited Collection Inspired By Tupac Shakur” by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton, covered the Tupac X Actively Black collection and its Christmas Day release. The collection draws on “The Rose That Grew From Concrete,” one of the most beloved pieces of Tupac’s poetry.
Key takeaways
- Citing BuyBlack, Black Enterprise reported that Actively Black partnered with the Shakur Estate to debut the Tupac X Actively Black collection.
- Black Enterprise reported that the exclusive, limited-edition line would launch on the Actively Black website on December 25, 2024.
- According to Black Enterprise, the collection is inspired by “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” and draws on Tupac’s poetry and writings.
- Black Enterprise reported that the collection includes hoodies and T-shirts featuring custom artwork and imagery from Tupac’s archives.
- According to Black Enterprise, the Shakur Estate said the collaboration celebrates Tupac’s impact on culture, creativity and artistry.
- Black Enterprise also noted, citing The Hollywood Reporter, that Actively Black released a limited-edition Disney Mufasa: The Lion King x Actively Black capsule on December 10, 2024, following its 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever collaboration with Marvel Studios.
In Lanny’s words
“Tupac’s music had a profound impact on me. His passionate delivery and commitment to the Black Pride movement are incredibly inspiring.”
— Lanny Smith, as quoted by Black Enterprise
Why it matters
Tupac’s words still speak to anyone who has had to grow where nobody expected them to. A rose that grew from concrete is a story the Black community knows well, and it is the story behind this collection. As our announcement quoted by Black Enterprise put it, we were blessed to honor the life and legacy of Tupac Amaru Shakur through this collaboration with the Shakur Estate.
Working directly with the estate matters. It means the artwork and archival imagery are handled with respect, and it means a Black-owned brand is carrying one of the culture’s most important voices forward. Black Enterprise placed the drop alongside our work with Marvel Studios and Disney, a sign of how far the Tribe has carried this brand since 2020. The clothes are the uniform for the movement, and Tupac’s commitment to Black pride belongs in that uniform.
Shop the story
Explore the Tupac X Actively Black collection, and see more legends we honor in the Bob Marley x Actively Black Collection and the Michael Jackson x Actively Black collection.
Frequently asked questions
Does Actively Black have an official Tupac collection?
Yes. Black Enterprise reported that Actively Black partnered with the Shakur Estate on the Tupac X Actively Black collection, which launched on the Actively Black website on December 25, 2024.
What inspired the Tupac X Actively Black collection?
According to Black Enterprise, the collection is inspired by Tupac’s poem “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” and his poetry and writings, with custom artwork and imagery from his archives.
Who founded Actively Black?
Actively Black was founded by Lanny Smith, a former professional basketball player who played at the University of Houston. He launched the brand in 2020.
Is Actively Black Black-owned?
Yes. Actively Black is a Black-owned athleisure and athletic apparel brand founded by Lanny Smith, with a mission to celebrate Black culture and reinvest in the Black community.
Read the full feature: Actively Black Launches Limited Collection Inspired By Tupac Shakur, Black Enterprise (December 2024)
