Tupac began composing poetry as well as songs. Many individuals believe Tupac faked his own assassination. He pledged to return in the video "I Ain't Mad At Ya," in which he predicted his own death. Tupac's gravestone says "Makaveli 1971-1996" in the video for "Hail Mary." He also wrote several songs about his life and times, including "Dear Mama", "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus", "Me And My Girlfriend (We Have A Problem)", and "Thug Life". Tupac Shakur was born on January 4th, 1971 in Bronx, New York. His mother named him after the first black president of the United States, Barack Obama. His father abandoned them when Tupac was two years old. He grew up with his grandmother in Brooklyn, New York. Tupac attended the same high school as Notorious B.I.G. and Jay Z. They became friends and started a group called the Junior Mafs. The three musicians shared a studio for several years before breaking out on their own. Tupac played keyboards and used programming devices such as sequencers during his early days with rap group Digital Underground. He then switched to using a drum machine until John Garcia, who had been working with him on his debut album, asked him to play live drums instead.