Drake has all the money in the world, and even though he gambles a lot of it away (literally), the Toronto native appears to have allocated some of his funds for good use. As per a recent Instagram story posted by the 6 God himself, he seems to have bought Tupac Shakur’s recently auctioned crown ring.
The hip-hop artefact reportedly sold for $1 million at a Sotheby’s event, far surpassing its estimate of $2,000–3,000. The auction was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, so it should come as no surprise that Pac was among those whose items were put up for sale.
What did surprise many, however, is that Drake was the one who kept pushing till he obtained the ring worn by the late rapper during his final public appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. The jewelry piece is made up of diamonds, gold and ruby, with its value now proliferating tremendously.
Two days after the auction, Drake posted an image of him holding the ring on his social media while promoting Travis Scott’s new album, UTOPIA. Check it out below:
Tupac was shot and killed soon after the ’96 VMAs in Las Vegas after a Mike Tyson fight. Over 25 years since the incident, the murder remains unsolved. However, Pac’s legacy persists as he is now considered one of hip-hop’s most revered figures. Thankfully, artists like Drake have used their leverage to bring attention to how much Pac and his legacy are worth despite his absence.
In all the years since Tupac’s passing, hip-hop has come a long way. The stakeholders of the culture continue to uphold his impact on the craft and the recent sale of his ring is a testament to how greatly he influenced younger generations.
As we celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, may we never forget the heroes.
