Tupac Shakur wore the ring to the 1996 MTV Music Awards in his final public appearance before his death
Drake purchased Tupac Shakur’s self-designed diamond, ruby and gold crown ring at Sotheby’s Hip-Hop auction for a staggering $1.01 million.

The rapper showed off his new accessory in a post to his Instagram Story. (Drake Instagram / Fox News)
The 36-year-old five-time Grammy Award winner revealed that he bought the ring previously owned by the late rap icon in an Instagram Story that he shared on Friday.
Drake uploaded a photo in which he was seen showing off the sparkler as he promoted fellow rapper Travis Scott’s new album “Utopia.”
“UTOPIA out now meltdown,” the “Hotline Bling” hitmaker wrote in the caption.
Sotheby’s confirmed the sale in a press release, noting that the winning bid for the ring was triple its high estimate of $300,000. According to the auction house, the ring was the “most valuable Hip Hop artifact ever sold at auction” and “the only Hip Hop artifact to surpass $1 million.”
WHAT’S DRAKE’S NET WORTH?
Shakur sported the accessory at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 4, 1996, which would become his final public appearance before he was killed in a drive-by shooting nine days later.

Drake bought Tupac Shakur’s diamond, gold and ruby crown ring for a record-breaking $1.01 million at auction. (Getty/Sothebys / Fox News)
The ring was provided to Sotheby’s by Shakur’s godmother and advisor Yaasmyn Fula, who acted as a liaison between the recording artist and New York jewelers while he was designing the piece.
“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,” Sotheby’s Global Head of Science & Popular Culture Cassandra Hatton said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“We’re thrilled that this exceptional piece has entered a new chapter in the hands of another legendary artist.”
Featuring a diamond-encrusted gold band, the custom ring is set with a central cabochon ruby and two pavé-cut diamonds on a gold circlet symbolizing the “crown.”
The ring is inscribed on the palm-facing side with the words “Pac & Dada 1996,” in honor of his fiancee Kidada Jones, to whom he became engaged a few months before his death.
The “All Eyez on Me” rapper wore the ring on his left-hand finger as a sign of his commitment to Jones.

Shakur wore the ring at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, which would become his final public appearance before his death. ( Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage / Getty Images)
According to the press release, Shakur created the ring to mark the beginning of a new chapter of his life following his release from prison in 1995 on a sexual assault conviction and after inking his deal with Death Row Records.
The crown design was inspired by medieval European kings and Niccolò Machiavelli’s politic treatise “The Prince,” which Shakur had read during his incarceration. The press release noted that the design was intended as “an act of self-coronation” and he specifically chose the ruby as the central jewel as it is historically associated with royalty.
According to Fula, the ring was also “a celebration of survival through a tumultuous year in an oft tumultuous life.” She noted that Shakur was named after Peruvian indigenous revolutionary leader Túpac Amaru II and recalled the New York native’s mother Afeni Shakur teaching him the mantra “You are our black prince. You are my miracle, and you will make black people proud.”
News
Exatlón México: ¿Qué equipo ganó el “Duelo de los enigmas” HOY 1 de enero?
Los equipos de Exatlón México se preparan para ganar alguno de los premios que traerá el duelo de los enigmas. Exatlón México es un programa de supervivencia mexicano.Créditos: @ExatlonMx/ Canva Exatlón México se prepara para una nueva competencia por el “Duelo de…
¡ESCÁNDALO TOTAL! Cardi B SORPRENDE al Mundo al Mostrar Accidentalmente su “Partes privadas” Durante un Show en Vivo—¡El Video COMPLETO es Increíble y Está Rompiendo el Internet!
Cardi B genera controversia tras un descuido en Instagram Live La famosa rapera estadounidense Cardi B se encuentra nuevamente en el ojo del huracán después de un incidente inesperado durante una transmisión en vivo en su cuenta de Instagram. Mientras…
The Flames are facing a manpower crisis. They are giving many priorities to retain key players such as Bahl, Zary, Coronato and Wolf. However, the decision of the above players surprised the whole team and fans!
Burn The Bridge: Flames Should Avoid Past Mistakes With Key Contract Negotiations Ahead steve macfarlane Tue, Feb 11, 2025, 6:59 a.m. ICT·3 min read With the NHL deadline around the corner, the Calgary Flames are in great position to make…
After many times not being able to attend the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, goalkeeper Sam Montembeault made a shocking statement that made the relationship between him and the team’s leadership increasingly tense.
Quebec-born Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault might not even play at the 4 Nations Face-Off as Canada’s third option. Montreal will play host to the 4 Nations Face-Off. But when Canada plays Sweden in the first game of the tournament…
Jake Sanderson replaces Quinn Hughes for Team USA at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. Quinn Hughes revealed that in addition to his injury, there was conflict between him and team management.
The Vancouver Canucks announced that Quinn Hughes wouldn’t feature in the 4 Nations Face-Off, but Ottawa Senators D-man Jake Sanderson is the next man up for Team USA. The Vancouver Canucks announced on Sunday that defenseman Quinn Hughes will not…
Last week in the NHL: Driver accused of killing Gaudreau brothers makes stunning defence, Blackhawks beef with Bissonnette, 4 Nations rosters take shape
Fear not, hockey fans, we have all the good, bad, weird and viral news and stats you may have missed on and off the ice from the past seven days. Let’s dive in Every week, we’ll update you on all…
End of content
No more pages to load