Late rapper Tupac Shakur, actor Bill Cosby honored by Library of Congress

The late rapper Tupac Shakur was honored Wednesday by the Library of Congress, which named his iconic 1995 hit “Dear Mama” to the institution’s eighth annual National Recording Registry.

Considered one of the godfathers of hip-hop, Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas less than a year after the release of “Dear Mama.” The case remains unresolved.

The list of inductees also includes country crooner Loretta Lynn, the band R.E.M. and comedian Bill Cosby.

Each year, 25 recordings are selected by the Library of Congress for special preservation, designated as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” to American history.

In a statement Wednesday, Librarian of Congress James Billington praised the new entries, saying the list “showcases the diverse beauty, humanity and artistry found in the American soundscape,” offering “significant examples of our creative spirit.”

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