Rap star Drake has made headlines as the new owner of the late Tupac Shakur's iconic crown ring, which he purchased at auction for over $1 million. The custom-designed ring was worn by Shakur on his left ring finger during his final appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, just days before his tragic shooting death in Las Vegas. The ring, engraved with "Pac & Dada 1996" in reference to Shakur's engagement to actress Kidada Jones, features a large ruby surrounded by two pav?© diamonds. Sotheby's, the auction house that sold the piece, confirmed Drake as the mystery buyer.

The sale of the crown ring shattered expectations, tripling its initial estimate of $300,000 and becoming the most valuable hip hop artifact ever sold at auction. In fact, it is the only hip hop artifact to surpass the $1 million mark. The ring holds immense historical and cultural significance, as Shakur designed it with his godmother, Fula, in 1996. At the time, Shakur had recently been released from prison and signed a deal with Death Row Records. He was also working on launching a media group called Euphanasia. Inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli's political manifesto "The Prince," Shakur modeled the design after the crowns of medieval European kings as a symbol of self-coronation and survival.

The auction of Shakur's ring coincided with ongoing investigations into his murder, which has remained unsolved for nearly three decades. Last week, Las Vegas police searched a home in Henderson, Nevada, in connection with the investigation. The home belongs to Duane Keith Davis, also known as Keffe D, who allegedly confessed to his involvement in Shakur's murder while being questioned about the killing of Biggie Smalls.

Tupac Shakur, known as one of the greatest rappers of all time, was a central figure in the West Coast hip-hop scene and sold 75 million records. His murder, followed by the killing of East Coast rapper Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, sparked theories of a rivalry between their music labels, Death Row and Bad Boy Entertainment. However, some music historians argue that the coastal feud was exaggerated for commercial reasons.

The sale of Shakur's crown ring serves as a testament to his enduring influence on hip-hop and marks a milestone in the genre's history. The ring represents a symbol of Shakur's creativity, resilience, and his impact on the music industry. As the ring finds its new home with Drake, it continues to preserve the legacy of one of hip-hop's most influential artists.