Today marks the 17th anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s untimely death. Highly regarded as arguably one of the best, and in some eyes the best, hip-hop artists of all time, the influence and impact of of the California legend is still present in today’s music landscape.

By just barely grazing the surface level of his material, Pac released classic albums such as Me Against The World and All Eyez On Me and delivering timeless tracks such as “Dear Mama,” “California Love” and “I Get Around,” which provided a collection of gems to be sampled and recycled for new mics.

Nearly two decades later, the MC, who famously repped “Thug Life” but spewed conscious raps, still ignites generations of hip-hop listeners through today’s hip-hop stars. Those same stars not only carry on the memory but contain some of the elements of Pac’s style within their music which perserves the spirit of the West Coast rap star.

Check out a few artists who are influenced by Pac after the jump…

Bursting onto the scene with classic LP Illmatic back in 1994, Nas is similar to Tupac in formulating his gritty street culture and experiences into rhymes his listeners can experience. Although Nas also holds one of those coveted G.O.A.T. spots, the homage is not short as he linked with Ja Rule for 2002’s”The Pledge (Remix),” which looped Pac’s “So Many Tears.”

Showing love to both the late “Hit Em Up” rapper, as well as the aforementioned Nas, J. Cole delivered the line “Pac was like Jesus, Nas wrote the Bible” on his latest album Born Sinner–a direct salute to the fallen soldier. North Carolina’s own will also be the first to tell anyone that Pac is his favorite MC. That thought is evident through his intense storytelling and emotion that is found from The Come Up, Cole’s first tape, to every current feature.

Currently representing Cali, where Mr. Shakur reigned supreme, lies the young spitter Kendrick Lamar. With classic West Coast flare, pride in his California roots and an intricate and realistic story told through his debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city, the structure for the Pac comparison is evident. Accompanying the talent possessed by King Kendrick is the bravado to challenge his peers and aim to be regarded as a force in the game…just like his West Coast forefather.