The ring, a creation of Tupac Shakur’s artistic vision, was intended to represent a symbolic departure from his gangsta rap image, which regrettably never had the chance to come to pass.
During his last public appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, just over a week before his tragic death in Las Vegas at the age of 25, Tupac Shakur was seen wearing a custom crown ring he designed himself on his left ring finger. The ring bore the engraving “Pac & Dada 1996,” signifying his engagement to actress Kidada Jones.
The auction estimate for Tupac Shakur’s crown ring was set at a minimum of $200,000, as it took center stage in Sotheby’s third dedicated hip-hop auction, coinciding with the genre’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
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In a definitive statement, Drake revealed that he was, indeed, the ring’s mystery purchaser, showcasing it on his Instagram story. Sotheby’s further verified this fact through an official news release to CBS News, officially recognizing the Grammy-winning rapper as the new owner of the crown ring.
In his music video for “Jumbotron S*** Poppin,” released in January, Drake showcased his extravagant purchase of Pharrell’s jewelry, exceeding a whopping $2.5 million. The video features a lavish selection of pieces from Pharrell Williams‘ prestigious Jacob & Co. collection, with special emphasis on the stunning 14K three-tone N.E.R.D. pendant chain.
Image Credits: Instagram @champagnepapi
