LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Drake has literally added a ‘gem’ to his collection and it is no usual piece of diamond. The ‘Know Yourself’ crooner took to Instagram to share Tupac Shakur’s crown ring which was bought over an auction. As per reports, the jewelry was worn by the legend days before he was assassinated in Las Vegas. The 25-year-old donned the ring at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 4, 1996.
The buyer’s identity was kept a secret after it was sold way more than Sotheby's pre-sale estimate of between £200,000 and $300,000, in New York. The shining 14k ring is made of gold, ruby, and diamond jewels and will now decorate Drake's already rich jewelry collection. Interestingly, Drake, in his latest song, raps about possessing Pharell’s jewelry and ‘melting’ it. "I melt down the chains that I bought from yo' boss. Give a f**k about all of that heritage shit. Since V not around, the members done hung up the Louis, they not even wearing that shit," he says.
Did Drake buy Tupac Shakur's $1M diamond ring?
Drake knows how to live thug life and the artist reminded us all again why he’s a king! In his latest Instagram Story, the 36-year-old shared a photo of famous Tupac’s ring as he promoted his new song 'Meltdown' with Travis Scott.
The seller Sotheby described the ring on their website before the auction, “[It] sits atop a diamond-encrusted gold band is the ‘crown’ itself: a gold circlet studded with the three largest jewels in the entire piece—a central cabochon ruby, flanked by two pave-cut diamonds." Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's Global Head of Science and Popular Culture, said, "This one-of-a-kind, custom ring was meticulously designed by Pac 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 hip-hop."
'Pac & Dada 1996' is engraved on the iconic ring
They even promoted the auction over their Instagram account, “To celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary this year, #SothebysNewYork third dedicated Hip Hop sale, kicks off 18 July, highlighting the movement’s profound impact on art and culture across five decades, from its inception in the South Bronx in 1973 through today.”
It further said, “Leading the auction is a gold, diamond, and ruby ring designed by Tupac Shakur himself and worn during his final public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996. Tupac’s godmother and staunch supporter Yaasmyn Fula helped commission the piece and said, “That ring is a powerful symbol. Whoever wore that ring had to accept that they have a responsibility to have an impact on the world,” according to Complex.
'Pac & Dada 1996' is engraved on the iconic ring which is in reference to Tupac’s girlfriend Kidada Jones.