Tupac Shakur Estate Unveil Plans For New Cafe, Limited Edition Collectible With Bravado

Mat Vlasic

THE ESTATE OF TUPAC SHAKUR and UMG's merchandising and brand management arm, BRAVADO, will launch the POWAMEKKA CAFE, the late rapper's original restaurant concept, and the release of an exclusive, limited-edition apparel and merch collaboration. 

Over 20 years has passed since TUPAC conceptualized POWAMEKKA CAFE in three handwritten pages of his notebook. A place for all to “play and parlay,” the CAFE, representing the finest in “down home SOUTHERN,” was to serve as a place for friends and family to get together and “escape the worldz cold reality.”

TUPAC's vision will be realized starting APRIL 7th–9th as the POWAMEKKA CAFE takes over NEW YORK's LOWER EAST SIDE bistro SWEET CHICK, on LUDLOW STREET, owned and backed by restaurateur JOHN SEYMOUR and NAS. The café will give TUPAC’s friends, family and fans a chance to revisit him through a curated collection from his archives including personal photos from his childhood, his poetry and music memorabilia from his favorite artists and through the food he loved, including mea tloaf, gumbo and, one of his favorite dishes -- his cousin JAMALA’s fried chicken wings.

Commented TOM WHALLEY, trustee of THE ESTATE OF TUPAC SHAKUR, “TUPAC’s creative vision was limitless. He was constantly working on ideas and plans that reached far beyond music and film. One of the things he was extremely passionate about was opening a restaurant; he even sketched out plans and a concept for a menu. We are proud to bring TUPAC's POWAMEKKA CAFE to life." 

Added BRAVADO's MAT VLASIC, “TUPAC continues to impact music, art, fashion and culture around the world and POWAMEKKA CAFE will offer his fans a new and personal way to reconnect with him through his passion for food and the restaurant he dreamed of opening. It’s our duty to create opportunities for our artists to fulfill their creative vision and give their fans new ways to engage with them and their music. We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with TOM and the ESTATE to bring this venue to TUPAC’s fans, family and friends.”

Commented JOHN SEYMOUR, “SWEET CHICK is about community and culture at its core, and so was TUPAC. As a restaurant, we embody everything he represents -- music, style, food, and neighborhood. We are honored to be hosting the POWAMEKKA CAFE pop-up at SWEET CHICK, and help bring his vision to life with the dishes that he loved.”

The POWAMEKKA CAFE will be located at 178 LUDLOW STREET in NEW YORK CITY from APRIL 7th to 9th, open FRIDAY from 11a–2a (ET) and SATURDAY/SUNDAY from 10a–2a (ET). Reservations will be taken exclusively by restaurant technology company, RESERVE, on a first-come-first-serve basis at reserve.com/r/powamekka-cafe.

More information on the clothing and merchandise line is forthcoming.

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