Tupac Shakur was more than just a rapper, actor, and eventual future hologram; he was also a would-be restaurateur, spending his down-time sketching out plans for a place where people could “escape the worldz cold reality” that he called the Powamekka Café. Now, that dream is coming true, with Page Six reporting that people will soon be able to “play and parlay” while dining on good Southern food like Sunkist-infused chicken wings at a pop-up version of the restaurant in New York.
The new Powamekka is being backed by rapper Nas and John Seymour, the duo who currently own the city’s popular Sweet Chick restaurant. The pop-up’s opening is being pegged to this month’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, where Shakur is being honored.
Given the rampant commercialization of Shakur’s legacy, it’s not wholly surprising to learn that this is actually the second time someone’s tried to bring the Powamekka Café to life. (A California burger joint rebranded itself for a single day on the 20th anniversary of the rapper’s death for last year.) This latest take on the concept—which will hopefully also include the “Playaz” and “Divaz” restaurant signs highlighted in Shakur’s extensive notes—has the blessings of his estate.