Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris accidentally dredged up an old conspiracy theory on Friday after arguing that Tupac Shakur was the “best rapper alive.”
While speaking at a virtual convention for the NAACP, Harris referenced the deceased artist after being asked who she believed the best living rapper was.
“Tupac,” Harris said, seemingly forgetting that Shakur had died in 1996.
CNN commentator Angela Rye, who moderated the event, quickly chimed in to note that Tupac was not alive.
“Not alive, I know, I keep doing that,” Harris said.
Rye jokingly responded by stating that Tupac “lives on.”
“Listen, West Coast girls think Tupac lives on,” she said. “I’m with you.”
After being asked the question again, Harris was unable to provide an answer on who the best living rapper was.
Harris’ remarks quickly went viral online, producing a wide-range of positive and negative reactions.
Many humorously cited Harris as proof that Tupac had never actually died.
“Kamala Harris was asked who is the best rapper alive and she said 2pac!,” @rmawesome500 said. “She knows the truth. I told you he’s alive!!!!!”
But many instead used the opportunity to dunk on the politician and her comments.
“She should stick to something she is good at,” @mkolken said. “Like withholding evidence that exonerates innocent men on death row.”
Others argued that the issue was entirely overblown and pushed back on the criticism of Harris.
“Come on people! Give Senator Harris a break!” @Miguelserratoff said. “Anyone who speaks in public frequently knows that you can misspeak at any times.”
Tupac died in September of 1996 at the age of 25 after being in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. Conspiracy theories have since flourished online that the rapper actually faked his death and relocated to Cuba.
