Both were Grammy-nominated artists at the top of their genre, making millions and receiving constant radio play. Their fued spilled over into their lyrics, and also led to threats and physical violence.

Violence erupted on the streets of Los Angeles following both shootings, as street gangs sought to hold one another accountable for the rappers’ deaths.

For years, neither murder led to arrests or convictions, just rumours and conspiracies.

“People will search for closure in any way they can get it,” Tinsley said. “People are trying to make sense of it for 30 years.”

Like Shakur’s death, countless theories and names have surrounded the death of Biggie in Los Angeles, but the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) have not made any arrests.

“It’s really a stain on the LAPD. The fact that this could happen and not a single arrest was made and no one was prosecuted,” Rahmani said, noting Biggie’s killing happened on a public street in the middle of the second most populous US city.

“Prosecutors don’t like to lose,” Rahmani explained. “But, maybe this [Tupac’s conviction] will embolden folks in Los Angeles to maybe take another look at it, a cold case that’s coming up on 30 years.”

Asked about the cases and whether the Tupac murder conviction could revive Biggie’s death, the LAPD told the BBC that it was aware of the conviction and the investigation into Biggie’s case remained active.

“The murder of Christopher Wallace remains an open, unsolved case within LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division,” Lt Elpidio Orozco said, urging anyone with any tips to call authorities.

Though Wallace’s case has gone cold, the public’s interest has not.

“They’ve been gone longer than they’ve been alive,” Tinsley said, “But the enduring mythology around these guys and their deaths will always be a topic of conversation.”

Kayla Epstein contributed to this report.