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Drake Purchases Tupac’s Original Death Row Records Chain from Famed Collector Alexander Bitar

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WhatsOnRap Staff
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Drake Adds Tupac’s Iconic Death Row Chain to His Collection, Bought from Renowned Collector Alexander Bitar

Tupac wearing the original Death Row Records chain in 1996

Drake just turned up the heat on his social feed, flexing an ultra-rare artifact that’s now officially part of his collection.

The Canadian rap icon dropped a stunning post on Instagram, holding none other than the original Death Row Records pendant that once graced Tupac Shakur’s chain.

Drake purchased Tupac Shakur’s rare Death Row pendant

Tag game strong, he tagged Alexander Bitar, the heavyweight art collector behind We Sell History, confirming the move went down.

Bitar followed suit, posting a pic with Drake and sealing the deal for real. The pendant, etched with the immortal phrase “All Eyez on YOU”, stands as one of the most exclusive pieces of Shakur’s hip-hop jewelry legacy.

While the price remains under wraps, previous auctions put similar Tupac chains in the $500K to $1 million ballpark. Safe to say, Drake didn’t pull up to this with loose change.

Timeline: Crowns, Chains & Punchlines

  • July 2023:
Drake earns his hip‑hop trophy shelf’s centerpiece: the crown ring once worn by Tupac. Price tag: ~ $1.01M.
  • April 2024:
Kendrick Lamar drops Euphoria, a fiery diss track aimed at Drake, loaded with scathing bars about authenticity, race and culture.
  • June 19, 2024 – The Pop Out: Ken & Friends Concert:
Kendrick opens his Juneteenth show in L.A. with Euphoria, but mid-performance, pivots and injects a fresh diss line.
  • August 2025:
Drake adds the Death Row pendant to his collection, signaling the feud continues in full exhibitions.

Kendrick Lamar: Bars, Fire, and “Euphoria” Gets an Upgrade

This isn’t the first time Drake has dipped into Tupac Shakur’s legendary vault.

Back in July 2023, the Toronto rapper made headlines after acquiring Tupac’s iconic gold crown ring for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s auction.

The ring, famously engraved with “Pac & Dada 1996” and worn during Tupac’s final public appearance, was seen by many as a bold move by Drake to align himself with West Coast royalty. But not everyone viewed the purchase as an homage.

Kendrick Lamar, long regarded as the modern voice of West Coast hip-hop, took clear issue with Drake’s flex.

Fast forward to June 2024, Kendrick Lamar didn’t just sit back. At his explosive Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert at LA’s Kia Forum, he ignited the stage with his diss track “Euphoria,” but not just the studio version.

“Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect.”

Kendrick Lamar Calls Out Drake After Changeing ''Euphoria'' Lyrics:

That one lyric reignited a rivalry already burning and signaled that this beef wasn’t just about bars, it was about legacy, authenticity, and who really speaks for hip-hop culture.

Now, with Drake adding Tupac’s Death Row Records pendant to his collection in August 2025, the cultural chess match continues.

Why This Rivalry Is Fire

This isn’t just shade, it’s culture. Drake’s moves to own and flash Tupac relics hit a nerve for Kendrick and many rap purists. It’s about how we preserve legacies in hip-hop, not just who owns the bling.

Kendrick’s lyrical comebacks, spanning “Like That,” “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and “Not Like Us, ”build a narrative that positions him as the guard of West Coast respect and authenticity.

His Pop Out concert, complete with dozens of LA artists and massive viewership, was a triumphant declaration of that positioning.

At the Super Bowl stage, he again steered the narrative, omitting some pointed lyrics but not backing down on substance.

Final Thoughts:

Drake’s acquisition of Pac’s pendant and ring are bold flexes, literal and symbolic.

But Kendrick’s bar, “Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect,” pierced past the ice and hit the heart.

This feud leaps beyond diss tracks; it’s about guardianship of hip-hop’s roots and values.

If history has taught us anything, it’s that real hip-hop discourse happens in bars, stages, and moments like these, when rap stars turn culture into headlines and heirlooms into statements.

FAQ'S:

Q: What about the crown ring? A: Drake bought Tupac’s gold crown ring at Sotheby’s in July 2023 for about $1.01 million. Engraved “Pac & Dada 1996,” it was worn at the 1996 VMAs. Q: What line did Kendrick add during Euphoria at the Pop Out show? A: He added: “Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect.” This replaced original bars mid-show, sparking headlines. Q: When and where was The Pop Out: Ken & Friends concert? A: June 19, 2024, at Kia Forum in Inglewood, Kendrick’s Juneteenth show celebrating West Coast unity and culture. Q: What other diss tracks were part of the feud? A: Beyond Euphoria, Kendrick dropped Like That, 6:16 in LA, and Not Like Us. Drake replied with The Heart Part 6. Heat escalated. Q: Is this feud over? A: Not officially—while Kendrick took the win culturally, the rivalry remains active and potent, with artifacts and lyrics still in play. Q: Why is Tupac’s jewelry so important in hip-hop culture? A: Tupac Shakur is a symbol of authenticity, rebellion, and lyrical genius. His jewelry, especially iconic pieces like the Death Row chain and crown ring, are more than accessories. They're considered sacred relics in the rap world. Owning them signals status, respect, and a direct connection to hip-hop royalty. Q: What does the engraving on Tupac’s Death Row chain say? A: The pendant is engraved with “All Eyez on YOU”, a direct reference to Tupac’s 1996 double album All Eyez on Me, which remains one of the most influential albums in rap history. The engraving personalizes the piece and ties it even closer to Tupac’s legacy. Q: Who is Alexander Bitar and why is he relevant? A: Alexander Bitar is a world-renowned collector and dealer of historical and celebrity artifacts. His platform, We Sell History, specializes in high-value collectibles from global icons. He confirmed Drake’s acquisition of Tupac’s chain by posting a photo with the rapper after the deal. Q: What does Kendrick mean by ‘give me the ring back’? A: He’s referencing Drake’s purchase of Tupac’s gold crown ring, suggesting that owning a piece of Pac doesn’t earn automatic respect, especially from those Kendrick feels are exploiting rather than honoring hip-hop’s legacy.
Q: Did Drake use AI Tupac vocals in a diss track? A: Yes. In “Taylor Made Freestyle”, Drake used AI-generated vocals mimicking Tupac (and Snoop Dogg) to diss Kendrick. This sparked controversy, and Tupac’s estate reportedly asked for the track to be taken down. Drake complied, but the move further inflamed tensions between him and Kendrick.

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