Drake Acquires Tupac’s Ring for Over $1 Million in Landmark Sotheby’s Auction

The self-designed ring of Tupac Shakur, which the late rapper wore during his final TV appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards before being fatally shot in Las Vegas, was recently sold at an auction for a staggering $1.01 million. The buyer, none other than the renowned rapper Drake, revealed himself on Friday by featuring the ring in an Instagram Story to promote his new song “Meltdown” with Travis Scott. This iconic piece of jewelry is adorned with a gold, ruby, and diamond-encrusted crown.

Tupac Shakur created this ring during a significant period of his life. He was focused on youth outreach programs, making a name for himself as an actor, and developing his own projects. Unfortunately, his life was tragically cut short by an unsolved drive-by shooting. He was just 25 years old.

Prior to his passing, Shakur had established Euphanasia Incorporated, a media company that represented his transition from his “Thug Life” persona. This transition was symbolized by the ring, which Shakur designed in collaboration with jewelers in New York. The ring features a combination of 10-carat cabochon rubies, pavé diamonds, and a golden crown. On the outer side, it is inscribed with a dedication to his then-fiancée, Kidada Jones: “Pac & Dada 1996.”

Being raised by Afeni Shakur, a dedicated Black Panther, Tupac learned from a young age to stand against racism, police brutality, and economic inequality. His godmother, Yaasmyn Fula, played an instrumental role in his transition and the formation of Euphanasia Incorporated. She guided Tupac during this transformative period, and the ring became a symbolic representation of his journey.

Like many other rappers who respect and appreciate his legacy, Drake has shown admiration for Tupac Shakur. In July 2020, Drake revealed that he owns a matching pair of diamond pendants portraying Shakur with red and blue bandanas, symbolizing his hope of uniting the Bloods and Crips against more systemic forces. These pendants are valued at $300,000 each and feature Christ-like crowns of thorns, showcasing Tupac’s profound influence and message.

Cassandra Hutton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Science & Popular Culture, expressed delight that the ring has found its way into the hands of another legendary artist. She described the ring as a unique artifact that exemplifies Tupac’s lasting impact on Hip Hop and global contemporary culture. The final selling price of $1 million is a testament to his status as music royalty.