Why is Drake’s recent acquisition of what appears to be a Tupac Shakur Death Row Records chain causing such widespread controversy in the hip-hop community? The Canadian rapper’s purchase from collector Alexander Bitar has ignited a firestorm of criticism, most prominently from Tupac’s own family and former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight.
Mopreme Shakur, Tupac’s stepbrother, publicly condemned the acquisition, asserting that such personal artifacts should remain within the family. “All of Tupac’s belongings should belong to the family,” Mopreme stated, questioning Drake’s motives for pursuing Tupac memorabilia while simultaneously promoting other artists. This acquisition follows Drake’s previous purchase of Tupac’s crown ring for approximately $1 million, establishing a pattern of collecting the late rapper’s personal items.
The controversy deepened when Suge Knight challenged the chain’s authenticity, claiming it was “not authentic” to Tupac. According to Knight, the genuine article was diamond-studded with no engravings on the back, unlike the piece Drake purchased. Knight emphasized that Tupac wore an exclusive original chain given personally by him, distinguishing it from the officially distributed Death Row chains that other artists received. Knight also stated that he was wearing this original chain when picking Tupac from jail in 1995.
This dispute occurs against the backdrop of Drake’s recent use of an AI-generated Tupac verse during his feud with Kendrick Lamar, further complicating perceptions of Drake’s relationship with Tupac’s legacy. Such controversy could potentially impact how Drake’s music is treated by performance rights organizations that manage the collection and distribution of royalties for public performances. Meanwhile, industry analysts point out that such controversies can actually increase artists’ visibility and potentially boost their sync licensing deals with media companies seeking provocative content. Mopreme specifically highlighted the perceived contradiction in Drake’s actions, noting his recent comments about London rappers being superior to American rappers while simultaneously collecting American hip-hop history. The timing has led many to question whether these acquisitions represent genuine admiration or opportunistic behavior.
The controversy highlights broader ethical questions about posthumous ownership of cultural artifacts. While some fans applaud Drake for preserving pieces of hip-hop history, others argue these items belong in museums for public access or with Tupac’s family as meaningful heirlooms.
Social media debates continue to proliferate, centering on authenticity, ownership rights, and appropriate ways to honor influential cultural figures whose impact transcends their physical possessions.
