LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tupac Shakur's legendary crown ring, worn during his final public appearance in 1996, is now hailed as the "most valuable hip-hop artifact ever sold at auction." The 'California Love' hitmaker wore this distinctive ring at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, shortly before his death on September 13, 1996, at the age of 25, in a drive-by shooting.
The custom-designed ring, meticulously crafted by Tupac, stands as a testament to his lasting influence on the hip-hop scene, as noted by Sotheby’s. The inscription, "Pac & Dada 1996," pays homage to his engagement to Kidada, daughter of Quincy Jones, whom he was romantically involved with until his death.
How much is Tupac's ring worth?
The legendary crown ring managed to fetch an amount of $1,016,000 at a Sotheby's auction, surpassing all previous records and becoming the first piece to be purchased for over one million dollars, according to a statement released by the auction house. Moreover, the exquisite ring, made of gold and studded with rubies as well as diamonds, gained significant attention during the sale, ultimately surpassing its initial estimate of $300,000.
"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," said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s global head of Science and Popular Culture, in a statement. The ring's concept was born when Tupac reached out to his godmother and trusted advisor, Yaasmyn Fula, in late 1995, seeking a symbolic piece to represent the next phase of his career.
'His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today'
The 'All Eyes on Me' superstar and Fula collaborated to design the ring, and she facilitated the connection between the rapper and New York jewelers to ensure the ring was crafted to his specifications. Inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli's book 'The Prince' which he read during his time in jail in 1995, Tupac adopted the moniker "Makaveli" and sought to model the ring after the crowns of medieval European kings, symbolizing his own "act of self-coronation." The crown boasts a gold structure adorned with three prominent jewels: a central cabochon ruby and two pave-cut diamonds. The choice of a ruby as the primary stone aligns as "a continuation of this royal narrative, as rubies, have long been symbolically tied to the imagery of monarchy and wealth in our cultural imagination," Sotheby’s explained.
Tupac's legacy continues to be celebrated even after his passing. On June 7, just nine days before what would have been his 52nd birthday, the late rapper was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the recording category. Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, Tupac's sister, paid tribute to him during the unveiling, stating, "As the proud sister of Tupac Amaru Shakur, the daughter of Mutulu and Afeni Shakur, it fills my heart with honor to stand here today representing the Shakur family," adding, "Before anyone recognized his name, he knew he had the dream to have a star here on the Walk of Fame." Expressing gratitude for the fans, Sekyiwa said, "Work and the passion that he has put into making his dreams come true. His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today."
