Canadian-born artist Drake shelled out over $1 million for a ring once owned and worn by rapper Tupac Shakur. With the purchase, Drake, who is worth an estimated $250 million, adds to his collection of high-priced rapper-worn jewelry. The ring is now considered to be the most valuable hip-hop artifact ever sold.
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Drake shared the news on Friday (July 28) via Instagram Story (fans can see an image below). The “Hotling Bling” singer purchased the ring amidst an auction in New York City run by Sotheby’s, which alerted prospective buyers on Monday that the ring, bejeweled with ruby and diamond, sold for $1,016,000.
The ring, which auctioneers thought would sell for around $200,000-300,000, went for four- or five times that, thanks to Drake. The ring was up for sale as part of Sotheby’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop this year.
Earlier this month, Sotheby’s alerted buyers of the ring, sharing on Instagram, “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.
“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 says, “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.
“The Hip Hop online auction, presented in collaboration with @massappeal, will be open for bidding from 18-25 July and on view to the public in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries from 20-24 July. #HipHop50 #Tupac“
Also according to the fine art company, the words “Pac & Dada, 1996” are inscribed on the underside of the ring. Sotheby’s got the ring from Yaasmyn Fula, mother of Outlawz Yaki Kadafi, who was known as Tupac’s close family friend. Tupac wore the ring at the 1996 Video Music Awards.
Previously, Drake purchased a 14-karat chain once owned by Pharrell, along with some other jewelry from the former N.E.R.D. star.
See the video, from Sotheby’s, about the ring, below.
Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage
