An iconic ring designed and worn by the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur is set to go on auction at Sotheby’s, and it is expected to fetch nearly £250,000 ($327,000; N257m). The ring, known as the sovereign ring, is adorned with a jewel-encrusted “crown” made of gold, rubies, and diamonds, symbolizing a significant turning point in Tupac’s life.
Tupac Shakur, often regarded as rap royalty, tragically lost his life at the young age of 25 in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, US, just three days after wearing the ring at his final public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards. The ring marked a new phase in his career, signifying a departure from his “Thug Life” persona.
Following a period in prison, Tupac embarked on a new journey, transitioning into a more executive role in the music industry and founding the media conglomerate Euphanasia Incorporated. To celebrate this change, he commissioned two extravagant pieces of jewellery, including the gold crown ring.
The crown ring, featuring 10 carats of cabochon rubies and pavé diamonds, bears the inscription “Pac & Dada 1996.” It held great personal significance for the rapper, as it represented an act of self-coronation and a symbol of responsibility. According to Tupac’s godmother, the ring served as a powerful reminder of his mission to use his creativity to express injustice and love.
The ring will be sold at Sotheby’s annual hip-hop auction in New York on July 25, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Head of Science and Popular Culture at Sotheby’s, Cassandra Hatton, describes the ring as the crown jewel of the auction. Its public display before the sale allows fans and admirers to appreciate and commemorate the legacy of one of hip-hop’s greatest artists.
