Actor Jussie Smollett recently survived a harrowing attack in Chicago, which has put all eyes on him. Living through the brutal assault has left the Empire performer feeling like a rapper who also famously survived an attempt on his life, Tupac Shakur.

Smollett performed for the first time since the racially-charged attack during performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on Saturday night (Feb. 2). During a break in the action he took some time to clear a few things up in regards to his attack.

"I was bruised but my ribs were not cracked. They were not broken. I went to the doctor immediately," he said. "I was not hospitalized. Both my doctors in L.A. and Chicago cleared me to perform but said to take care, obviously and, above all, I fought the fuck back. I'm the gay Tupac."

As previously reported, Smollett was reportedly assaulted by two men "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs" on Tuesday (Jan. 29). Following the assault, the men poured an "unknown chemical substance" onto the actor and put a thin rope around his neck before fleeing on foot. Police are looking into the assault as a hate crime.

A number of rappers offered their well-wishes to the actor in the wake of the incident including 50 Cent, T.I. and Meek Mill.

Check out Smollett's L.A. performance where he proclaims to be the gay Tupac Shakur below.

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