Tupac Shakur was one of the most well-known rappers in the world and, during the 1990s, was the go-to artist if you wanted hardcore and passionate gangsta rap. As the primary artist of Dr Dre and Suge Knight’s Death Row Records, Pac undeniably made massive hits and, before his murder in 1996, was one of the most famous rappers in the world.
Even though the rapper is no longer with us, his legacy lives on not only in his music but in his belongings, and the highly-esteemed auctioneer Sotheby’s has now revealed that bidders can have a valued piece of the emcee’s legacy. A self-designed gold, ruby, and diamond ring the musician wore regularly.
Estimated to be worth more than $200,000, the ring was designed in celebration of the rapper’s engagement to Kidada Jones and boasted an inscription reading, ‘Pac & Dada 1996.’ The artist (real name Tupac Shakur) designed the ring himself.
The hip-hop artefact boasts a centred gold circle mounted with a cabochon ruby. The jewel is flanked by two diamonds, with the gold ring band encrusted with delicate diamonds.
The All Eyez On Me lyricist wore the ring alongside Snoop Dogg at the 1996 VMA’s, where he gave an iconic interview. However, Shakur was murdered three days later in a Las Vegas drive-by. The precious artefact will be on display at Sotheby’s New York before the online auction, which will take place between July 18th and July 25th.
Sotheby’s has been auctioning rap music relics in celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The auction house plans to share other items include original art, historic studio equipment, sneakers and jackets, archival flyers and posters, rare artefacts, and more.
Earlier this year, Pac’s Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur documentary aired, which explores Shakur’s relationship with his mother, Afeni, who was a member of the Black Panther Activist Party.
