The ongoing feud between two hip-hop heavyweights has reached a new level with the dispute over a legendary piece of hip-hop history, Tupac Shakur's iconic ring.
- Jun 26, 2024
AceShowbiz - The tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, two of the biggest names in the hip-hop industry, shows no signs of waning. Recently, the feud has centered on an iconic piece of jewelry: the crown ring that once adorned the finger of the late Tupac Shakur during his final public appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. In August 2023, Drake acquired this historic ring at a Sotheby's auction for $1.01 million, a purchase that has irked Lamar immensely.
The ring, which features a 14-karat crown encrusted with cabochon rubies and pave diamonds, bears the inscription "Pac & Dada 1996," an homage to Tupac's engagement to actress Kidada Jones. It represents not only Tupac's personal journey but also his influential legacy in the West Coast rap scene, a legacy that Lamar passionately upholds.
During his Juneteenth concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, Lamar set the stage ablaze by altering the lyrics of his track "Euphoria" to include, "Give me Tupac's ring back and maybe I'll give you a little respect." This public demand has not only inflamed the already intense rivalry but also captured the attention of fans and the media alike.
To add another layer to the controversy, Maksud Agadjani, a jeweler based in New York City, has offered to create a replica of the ring for Lamar. In a video posted on Facebook, Agadjani showcased the duplicate piece while saying, "Kendrick is telling Drake to give up Tupac's ring. Well, this is Tupac's ring right here, this is a replica of the original one purchased by Drake, and Kendrick's not happy about that."
Lamar has also called out Drake for using an AI-generated version of Tupac's voice in a track, asking pointedly, "Am I battlin' ghost or AI?" This question highlights Lamar's ongoing concerns about authenticity in the music industry and his determination to protect the legacy of those who paved the way.
