Drake Fuels Speculation Over Buyer of Tupac's $1M Ring Sold at Sotheby's

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On Monday, Tupac Shakur's custom gold, diamond, and ruby ring, which he wore nine days before he was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Las Vegas at the age of 25, sold for more than $1 million. The sale marked it as the most valuable hip-hop artifact ever auctioned, according to Sotheby's.

The legendary auction house showcased the ring as part of its third dedicated hip-hop sale, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the genre and its profound impact on art and culture.

VIDEO: Tupac Shakur's ruby ring sells for record $1 million

A gold, ruby and diamond ring worn by American rapper Tupac Shakur during his last public appearance sold for $1 million at auction in New York on July 25 pic.twitter.com/PL6kfLS0BP

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 26, 2023

Crafted by Tupac himself, the ring bears the inscription 'Pac & Dada 1996,' symbolizing the artist's engagement with Kidada Jones. It gained global attention when Tupac proudly displayed it during his appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.

The final sales price of the ring reached $1,016,000, surpassing Sotheby's estimated value of the item after a bidding war that more than tripled the initial appraisal.

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As of now, the buyer's identity remains shrouded in secrecy, with no official disclosure from Sotheby's. However, intrigue surrounds the purchase as hip-hop sensation Drake hinted at his involvement by subtly claiming ownership of the iconic ring in a late-night Instagram post on Thursday.

In an Instagram story promoting Travis Scott's album "Utopia," where the two artists collaborated on the track "Meltdown," Drake appeared to be holding the unique ring.