The Resurrection Of Tupac

It was already one of the most highly-anticipated performances of the Coachella festival this year.

But Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre achieved the impossible last night as they brought back late rapper Tupac Shakur for their headline performance.
Snoop was joined by a life-size hologram of Tupac who stunned the crowd of 75,000 fans when he appeared onstage
Click To Watch Tupac's Coachella Appearance

They said he wasn't dead: Tupac was resurrected - in hologram format - as part of Dr Dre's headlining Coachella performance last night in Indio, California

The bare-chested Tupac - who was dressed in sagging jeans and Timberland boots circa 1995, just like ones he wore around the time he was shot dead on September 13, 1996, aged 25.
And he greeted the roaring crowd saying:' What's up Coachella?' - a festival that wasn't even taking place at the time of his death - before joining Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre on hit single Hail Mary.
Shakur also joined Snoop for songs Come With Me and Gangsta Party stalking around the stage in his trademark style.

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Spectacular sight: Snoop Dogg was joined in a duet on stage by Tupac Shakur, as a projection was played of the dead rapper

The gang's all here: The performance was a hit with celebrity fans such as Rihanna and Katy Perry who tweeted: 'I think I might have cried when I saw Tupac'

HOW TUPAC'S HOLOGRAM WAS CREATED

The hologram of Tupac was put together by video technology firm AV Concepts with the help of James Cameron's visual effects company, Digital Domain, writes The New Scientist.
It used a mix of previously recorded live footage (thought to be from a 1996 Death Row concert), CGI and an 19th Century magic trick called Pepper's Ghost.
The hologram effect was created using a system developed by London-based Musion, which employs an advanced version of Pepper's Ghost to great effect.
While the traditional illusion uses light partially reflected off a pane of glass, Musion's version involves a custom-developed foil to create more believable images.

The image of a shirtless Tupac, wearing a pair of jeans and brown boots, was also seen interacting with Snoop - making it look incredibly realistic to the cheering crowd.

After performing the track Dr Dre came on stage and screamed: 'Make some f**ing noise for Tupac.'
The hologram of the late rapper had been programmed to greet the crowd by saying: '“what the f*** is up, Coachella?'
And the stunt certainly drew some mixed reactions from those watching.
While some argued that the inclusion of the late rapper's image was in bad taste, many of his celebrity fans took to  Twitter page to express their excitement over the dramatic performance.
Katy Perry tweeted: 'I think I might have cried when I saw Tupac.'
RIhanna added: 'TupacBack unbelievable Iwasthere Story4myGrandKidz (sic).'
The pair were later joined by famous friends including 50 Cent, Eminem and Wiz Khalifa.
And following the performance, Khalifa tweeted: 'F*****g 2pac Ahhhhhhh!!! I Performed Wit Dr Dre And Snoop Dogg!!! Awww f*** Im So Happy To Be Alive. That Was The Best s**t I Seen In My Life! Thank Everybody!!! Snoop. Dre. Warren G. Pac. The Stoners. The Ratchet!!! Usher. 50 Cent. Coachella Was Life Changing!!!"

Back in the day: Snoop and Tupac attending the MTV Video Music Awards back in 1996

Tupac died in 1996 aged 25 after being shot four times, but is still one of the best-selling musical artists in the world.
The resurrection was achieved with the use of modern technology derived from a 19th Century technique called Pepper's Ghost.
The very same technology was used to help Mariah Carey perform a special Christmas treat for fans in five different European cities last year.

20-years together: Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg celebrated more than two decades performing together headlining at Coachella

Excited: The crowd waited anxiously for what was one of the most highly-anticipated performances of the festival

The singer worked with Deutsche Telekom to appear in Germany, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Poland.
Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre celebrated more than two decades performing together on stage at the music event in Palm Springs, California.
And Snoop, real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr, decided to practice what he preaches and after telling fans to 'smoke weed everyday' the rapper decided to light up on stage.

That's a strange-looking cigarette: Snoop was seen puffing away throughout the set

What's that you've got there: Wiz Khalifa made his way onto the stage with a huge roll-up

The 40-year-old hitmaker was seen smoking a suspicious looking roll-up on stage in front of the packed out crowd.
Snoop was seen smoking several 'joints' throughout hour and a half set including a huge white 'cigarette' with his prodigy Khalifa, who is engaged to Kanye West's ex-girlfriend Amber Rose.
The pair rapped about smoking weed while sharing the large roll-up.

Having a great time: The thousands of fans in the crowd appeared to be having a great time during the headline set

Old pros: The pair performed their classic hits including The Next Epsidoe and Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang

Old friends: 50 Cent also came out on stage to perform alongside Snoop

As well as paying tribute to Tupac, Snoop and Dre also paid homage to another deceased friend, Nate Dogg, who passed away last March from complications relating to a series of strokes - he was just 41 years of age.
Warren G joined the duo on stage to perform famous hit Regulate while pictures flashed up behind them.
Tens of thousands of music fans surrounded the stage to watch Snoop and Dre play their old hits including Old Pros, The Next Episode and Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang as well as some of their newer tracks. 

Look who's back! Eminem joined Dre on stage

Look who's back! Eminem joined Dre on stage