Janet Jackson turned heads at the 2026 BET Awards on Sunday night, 28 June, with a look that immediately sparked conversation for its clear nod to rap icon Tupac. The appearance was especially meaningful given their shared history in the 1993 film Poetic Justice, where both stars shared the screen in one of the most talked-about Black romantic dramas of the decade.
The timing also added weight to the tribute. It marks 30 years since Tupac's death in 1996, a moment that continues to be reflected on across music, film, and fashion culture.
Inside Janet Jackson's BET Awards Look
Jackson's outfit is built around strong layering and contrast.
She wore an oversized black graphic T-shirt over a crisp white button-down shirt. Around her waist sat a sharply cinched wide black leather corset belt. Below, she opted for loose pinstripe trousers with dramatically exaggerated cuffs.
Accessories pushed the look further with a tilted black fedora and stacked silver cuff bracelets on both wrists.
The Meaning Behind the '2PAC' Tee
The T-shirt featuring '2PAC' written on the left side of the chest is the centrepiece of the outfit and the most direct reference in Jackson's look. It nods to Poetic Justice, the 1993 film in which she and Tupac starred.
Jackson played Justice, a poet processing grief and trauma. Tupac played Lucky, a postal worker who forms a complicated but emotional connection with her character during a road trip story.
Their on-screen pairing remains one of the most recognisable moments in early 1990s Black cinema, often revisited in discussions about Tupac's acting career and Jackson's film work. The film also helped cement Tupac's presence beyond music, introducing him to wider film audiences during the early stage of his career.
Tupac's Life and Tragic Death
Tupac Shakur was an American rapper, actor and cultural figure whose music shaped 1990s hip-hop and beyond. Known for albums like All Eyez on Me and Me Against the World, he became one of the most influential voices in rap, addressing themes such as inequality, systemic injustice and life in America's inner cities.
On 7 September 1996, Tupac was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. He died six days later, on 13 September 1996, at the age of 25.
In September 2023, Duane 'Keefe D' Davis was arrested and charged in connection with the rapper's murder, marking the first major breakthrough in the case in decades. Davis is a former gang member associated with the Southside Compton Crips who has previously spoken publicly about his alleged involvement and knowledge of the events surrounding the shooting.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the case continues to attract widespread public and cultural attention.
Red Carpet Tribute to a Hip-Hop Icon
At the 2026 BET Awards in Los Angeles, US, Janet Jackson's appearance stood out primarily as a red carpet moment, drawing attention for both her fashion choice and its cultural significance.
Her attendance contributed to the broader cultural tone of the evening, which often celebrates legacy acts and influential figures in Black entertainment history. Her Tupac-inspired look reinforced that theme, tying together fashion, film, and music in a single conversation-driving moment while paying tribute to one of hip-hop's most enduring icons.
