Who would’ve thought that a ring created by Tupac Shakur in 1996 would be the source of such deep contention nearly 30 years later? However, due to the parties involved and their outward dislike of each other, it’s been one of the most talked about topics in music over the past two months.
Drake has essentially been waving it in the face of every hip-hop fan since he purchased the piece of jewelry in July 2023. In response, Kendrick Lamar has told the Toronto rapper to stop playing with Pac’s legend, telling him, “Gimme Tupac ring back & “I might give you a little respect.”
But with everyone talking about the ring and questioning whether the 6 God deserves to have it, let’s dive into the origin of this historic piece?
As explained in the 2020 book “Spirit of an Outlaw,” the ring was created to commemorate Shakur entering a new phase in his career (after he was released from prison) and the creation of his company, Euphanasia Incorporated. One of the first people he hired to work at his conglomerate was Yaasmyn Fula, a woman he considered his godmother, advisor, supporter, and manager. Pac brought her on to be an office manager and head of business at the company.
Shakur trusted Fula so much that he trusted her with the production of the sought-after “crown” ring. While in Los Angeles, she would work with jewelers in New York to help create the ring and a “Euphanasia” medallion. She ensured that all of Pac’s design requests were carried out perfectly.
More from Sotheby’s:
Reflecting his recent affinity for Niccolo Machiavelli’s political manifesto The Prince—Tupac would start going by “Makaveli” after reading The Prince while incarcerated—Tupac modeled his design after the crowns of the medieval kings of Europe in “an act of self-coronation,” according to Fula, a celebration of survival through a tumultuous year in an oft tumultuous life. Sitting atop a diamond-encrusted gold band is the crown itself: a gold circlet studded with the three largest jewels in the entire piece—a central cabochon ruby, flanked by two pavé-cut diamonds. Atop this circlet sits 16 rays (or spikes) of descending heights—the crown proper—with the tallest 5 rays being topped with round cabochon rubies set in gold. Inside of the circlet band is a 6-pronged ‘arch’ and capped with a cabochon ruby ‘ball’—traditional European design elements that characterize this crown as a specific coronation piece.
The ring also includes an inscription that reads, “Pac & Dada 1996,” which is a reference to his engagement to Kidada Jones, according to Sotheby’s.
The historic piece of jewelry was brought to auction by Fula and purchased by Drake in July 2023 for more than $1 million, blowing away the presale estimate of $300,000.
Drake announced he owned the ring shortly after the auction, posting it on his Instagram story at the time.
While it initially wasn’t used as a way to mock Lamar, it became a source of contention after he mentioned it in the song, “Euphoria,” rapping “Somebody had told that me you got a ring/ On God, I’m ready to double the wage/I’d rather do that than let a Canadian n***a make Pac turn in his grave.”
Since then, the legendary piece of jewelry has been a hot topic among hip-hop fans. But will Drake ever “give” it back? Doubtful, but we’ll have to wait and see.