A diamond and ruby ring designed by rap legend Tupac Shakur will lead Sotheby’s hip hop auction ending July 25. The Rap Crown Jewels are expected to fetch at least $200,000.
Tupac had designed the ring in 1996, just before he was shot in one of the music industry’s biggest mysteries, to celebrate his now infamous deal with Death Row Records and his release on bail from a facility. New York Corrections.
Sotheby’s described the creation of the ring, which is shaped like a crown, as “an act of self-coronation” inspired by the crowns of medieval kings of Europe and intended to “augurate a new era of prosperity” for the world. ‘artist. .
“Tupac’s selection of the ruby as the main stone of his crown is a continuation of this royal narrative, as rubies have long been symbolically linked to imagery of monarchy and wealth in our cultural imagination,” Sotheby’s said in a statement.
The ring is also inscribed with “Pac & Dada 1996” on the side of the band’s palm to celebrate their recent engagement to Kidada Jones, daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton and sister of actress Rashida Jones.
It was worn during Tupac’s last public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, days before his death, and was auctioned off by Yaasmyn Fula, godmother and trusted advisor to the late rapper.
Tupac typically wore the ring on his left ring finger, according to Sotheby’s.
The auction takes place to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop since its inception in New York’s Bronx borough in 1973.
Other memorabilia to be auctioned include artwork, sneakers and jackets, posters and more from musicians such as Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Ice-T and Afrika Islam, Fab 5 Freddy, Big Daddy Kane, Futura, Lee Quiñones, UNKLE and Mo’ Wax founder James Lavelle.
The 50th anniversary of hip hop is organized by entertainment company Mass Appeal, which is also planning a series of events across New York, including exhibits at Fotografiska and the Hall of Lights.
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