Drake Breaks Records: Reviving Hip-Hop's Legacy with a Million Dollar Purchase of Tupac Shakur's Crown Ring

Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock ; Courtesy of Drake/Instagram

Step aside, "Hotline Bling," because Drake now has a new accessory to marvel at - the legendary ring formerly owned and crafted by the iconic Tupac Shakur.

Drake, aged 37, acquired a unique and exclusive piece of jewelry at the recent Sotheby's Hip-Hop Auction. Sharing a photo of his new accessory on his Instagram Story on Friday, July 28, he captioned it with "UTOPIA out now meltdown," while promoting fellow rapper Travis Scott's latest album.

The ring, adorned with gold, rubies, and diamonds, fetched a staggering price of $1.01 million at the auction. It was made available thanks to the efforts of Tupac's godmother and trusted advisor, Yaasmyn Fula. Drake's winning bid catapulted the ring into the highest valued hip-hop artifact ever to be sold at auction, surpassing the $1 million mark.

The custom ring, designed by Tupac himself, is a unique and exceptional artifact that showcases his enduring influence on Hip Hop and global contemporary culture. According to Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's Global Head of Science & Popular Culture, the ring is a testament to Tupac's boundless creative energy. It is now in the hands of another legendary artist, marking a new chapter for this extraordinary piece.

Tupac wore the ring for his final public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards before his untimely death in September 1996 at the age of 25. The highlight of the ring is the gold circlet, adorned with a cabochon ruby and two pavé-cut diamonds, forming a "crown" on a diamond-encrusted gold band. Adding a personal touch, the band also bears the inscription "Pac & Dada 1996," honoring his connection with his fiancée, Kidada Jones.

Tupac Shakur’s gold crown ring seen at Sotheby’s auction house in New York on July 20, 2023. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Shutterstock

In early 1996, Tupac spent several months crafting a jewel to symbolize the beginning of a new chapter in his life. This period marked his release from prison in 1995 after being convicted of sexual assault and signing a significant contract with Death Row Records. Fula, acting as a go-between, ensured that the jeweler adhered to Tupac's specific requirements. Drawing inspiration from Niccolo Machiavelli's influential text "The Prince" and the regality of medieval monarchs, Tupac fashioned the crown design. Fula explains that the design also embodied the triumph of surviving a challenging year in Tupac's often tempestuous life.

In December 2022, designer Alex Moss disclosed that Drake, well-known for his sophisticated fashion sense, had commissioned a unique necklace. This necklace was crafted from 42 diamond engagement rings that had remained unused with his previous partners. Moss posted a picture of the necklace on Instagram, captioning it with the words "For all the times he thought about it but never did." Drake proudly wore this remarkable piece during his performance at Lil Baby's concert in Atlanta earlier that same month. Since then, Drake has been candid about his hesitance to commit to marriage.

"It feels like something from a bygone era," he stated on the July 20th edition of the "Really Good" podcast. When questioned about his single status, he revealed, "The truth is, I don't believe I can currently provide someone with what they seek in a relationship. My work holds utmost importance to me, and I wouldn't want to be unable to fulfill my role as a partner. I simply wish to avoid causing disappointment to another person."