Tupac Shakur‘s self-designed crown ring fetched a staggering $1,016,000 at a recent Sotheby’s auction, breaking all previous records for the “most valuable hip-hop artifact ever sold at auction.”
Surprisingly, the ring found its new home in the possession of none other than Drake. The Canadian rapper revealed himself as the buyer when he shared a glimpse of the prized jewel on his Instagram Stories on July 28, alongside the caption “Utopia out now meltdown,” referencing his collaboration with Travis Scott on Utopia, in which he reignites his beef with Pusha T and audaciously threatens to melt down Pharrell’s N.E.R.D. Brain Pendant chain he had bought at an auction last year.
The crown ring, fashioned from 14-karat yellow gold and adorned with diamonds and rubies, far exceeded initial estimates of $200k-$300k at the auction. Notably, this opulent piece of jewelry holds historical significance as it was worn by Tupac himself during his final public appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.
“This one-of-a-kind, custom ring was meticulously designed by Tupac and is among the final products of his boundless creative energy — a unique artifact from a period of time that is a testament to his enduring influence on both hip-hop and global contemporary culture. We’re thrilled that this exceptional piece has entered a new chapter in the hands of another legendary artist,” said Sotheby in a statement per Consequence.
Drake’s purchase of Tupac’s ring comes amidst renewed interest and developments surrounding the death of the legendary rapper. Recently, Las Vegas police conducted a raid at the home of Keefe D, leading to the recovery of certain bullets. Keefe D has previously claimed to have been present in the car with his cousin Orlando Anderson when Anderson allegedly opened fire and killed Tupac.
In the same vein, a previously unseen footage of Tupac just moments before his tragic murder in Las Vegas surfaced online this week. In the poignant clip, Tupac can be seen conversing with a group of women outside a Las Vegas hotel. Suge Knight approaches, and they eventually get into a car. The tragedy unfolded later, with Tupac falling victim to a drive-by shooting near the intersection of East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane
Watch the clip below.
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