In a historic moment for the hip-hop community, Tupac Shakur's crown ring shattered records and fetched an astonishing $1 mn at a special auction held by Sotheby's in New York. This sale marks the 50th anniversary of the hip-hop genre and solidifies Tupac's influence and enduring legacy in the music industry.
Sotheby's, known for hosting high-profile auctions of rare and valuable items, was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected winning bid for the iconic crown ring. The final sale price far surpassed their initial pre-sale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000, making it the most expensive hip-hop artifact ever sold.
The crown ring holds significant sentimental value as it was famously worn by Tupac during his final public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 4, 1996. Tragically, just days after the event, the young rapper, aged only 25, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 13.
Tupac's vision for the design of the crown ring was influenced by Niccolo Machiavelli's political manifesto "The Prince," which he deeply connected with during his time behind bars on sexual harassment charges. The ring drew inspiration from the majestic crowns worn by medieval European kings and was brought to life through a collaboration with his godmother, Yaasmyn Fula.
This record-breaking auction follows Sotheby's groundbreaking international auction in 2020, which exclusively featured artifacts from the hip-hop world. Notably, the plastic crown worn by the renowned rapper Notorious B.I.G during a 1997 photo shoot sold for an impressive $600,000 at that time, becoming the most expensive hip-hop item ever sold until Tupac's crown ring surpassed it.
Furthermore, the auction showcased the Rammellzee vs. K-Rob "Beat Bop" sealed original 12-inch single, featuring custom artwork by the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who also contributed to the LP's production. This vinyl, considered a treasure in the hip-hop community, fetched an astonishing $126,000, a staggering 50 times its original catalogue estimate, setting a new record for the most expensive hip-hop record ever sold at auction.
The soaring prices of these hip-hop artifacts at prestigious auctions indicate the increasing recognition of hip-hop as a culturally significant and historically important genre of music. These items serve as tangible reminders of the genre's transformative power and the enduring influence of iconic artists like Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.
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