Drake’s 2Pac Death Row Pendant Is Fake, According to Suge Knight: ‘Whoever Sold You That … He Played You’
Drake made headlines when he unveiled a custom Death Row Records pendant, a piece that blends hip-hop history with his own flair for luxury. The chain, created by celebrity jeweler Ben Baller, features the iconic Death Row logo set with diamonds, accompanied by a seated figure encrusted with gems. For Drake, the pendant isn’t just a flashy accessory — it’s a nod to the legacy of West Coast rap and a way of aligning himself with one of the most influential labels in hip-hop history. Unfortunately, according to Suge Knight, the pendant is fake. Here’s what Knight alleged.
Drake posted Tupac Shakur’s Death Row Records pendant on Instagram in August 2025
Drake once again turned Instagram into a headline-making moment in August 2025 when he revealed one of hip-hop’s most elusive treasures: Tupac Shakur’s Death Row Records pendant. The rapper shared a series of sleek photos showing off the diamond-studded medallion, instantly sparking buzz across social media. Fans quickly recognized the piece from Shakur’s All Eyez On Me era, with its inscription “All Eyez on YOU 1996” engraved on the back. For many, the post felt less like a flex and more like a resurrection of rap history, bringing an artifact from the golden age of West Coast hip-hop into the spotlight once again.
The pendant’s resurfacing carries weight far beyond its glittering design. Long considered lost since Shakur’s untimely death in 1996, the chain has lived in near-mythical status for decades. Drake’s decision to share it publicly reignited conversations about how hip-hop artifacts are preserved, displayed, and sometimes commodified.
The post impressed some fans. Others weren’t so sure about how Shakur would feel about Drake obtaining the pendant.
“Dang you got the ring and the chain sheeesh,” one fan commented.
“Ain’t no way Pac would’ve been cool with Drake,” another fan wrote.
Suge Knight says Drake doesn’t have the real Death Row Records pendant
On Aug. 26, 2025, The Art of Dialogue released a conversation with Death Row Records co-founder, Suge Knight. According to Knight, he was the only one handing out the chains in the ’90s. And Tupac Shakur wanted Knight’s chain. Knight then gave his chain and pendant to Shakur.
“He’s like, ‘S**t, you my big bro. Let me wear yours,'” Knight said. “‘That’s more important. I want to wear the one you got.'”
Knight noted that his chain had diamonds on both the chain and bezel and had nothing inscribed on the back of the pendant. While Drake’s chain has diamonds, the inscription on the back doesn’t match Knight’s description. Knight believes that Drake got played and bought a fake Death Row Records pendant.
“Drake should go back and kick their draws up their a**, but I don’t go hard about it because it ain’t Drake’s fault,” Knight said. “I believe Drake really admires 2Pac …. But when it’s all said and done, that’s not a 2Pac chain. That’s not a Death Row chain. But, back to Drake — whoever sold you that, Drake, you need to go beat his motherf***in’ a**. He played you.”
“Matter of fact, on the low, shoot that fool’s name and number and address if you got it,” Knight added.
The ‘Hotline Bling’ rapper previously bought another piece of Tupac Shakur’s jewelry
Back in July 2023, Drake made waves in both the hip-hop and fashion worlds when he purchased one of Tupac Shakur’s most iconic pieces of jewelry: the late rapper’s crown ring. The 14-karat gold piece, encrusted with rubies, diamonds, and sapphires, was custom-made by Shakur in 1996 and famously worn during his last public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards just weeks before his death. When it went up for auction at Sotheby’s, collectors expected a high bid, but Drake shocked many by reportedly dropping over $1 million to secure it, according to Billboard.
The ring’s sale became a major talking point among fans and critics alike. Some praised Drake for preserving a piece of rap history, while others debated whether items so deeply tied to Shakur’s personal story should end up in another artist’s collection. Regardless, Drake will likely continue to obtain items from Shakur — or, at least, items he believes Shakur previously owned.
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