If you’ve heard anything about Coachella this year, you’ve heard that Tupac Shakur  performed alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on Sunday evening.  As expected, video of the performance became an instant sensation.

Of course, it wasn’t the real Tupac, but a hologram. The hologram was created by  Digital Domain Media Group Inc., the same guys who were behind special effects for 2008′s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”  Though the rapper died more than 15 years ago,  new technologies have created a world of possibilities for bringing the deceased star to the masses.

The image of Tupac isn’t archival footage, or digital imaging.  According to The Wall Street Journal,  “the image was created on a computer, using physical characteristics and movements captured from recorded performances.” So, kind of a little of both, but neither. The Coachella performance had been in the works fro about four months prior, and Dr. Dre is said to have a vision for tours featuring the hologram.  This is just the beginning,”  Digital Domain’s chief creative officer, Ed Ulbrich says. “Dre has a massive vision for this.”

Exciting!  I would pay money to see this tour. Would you?

Photo: Fame/Flynet

Tags: Coachella, concert, Dr. Dre, hologram, Music, news, rap, Snoo Dog, Snoop Dogg, technology, Tupac