Drake’s Tupac Death Row Chain Sparks Court Ruling in 2Pac Murder Case

In a stunning twist to one of hip-hop’s most enduring mysteries, a Las Vegas court has issued a ruling regarding the authenticity of a Death Row Records chain, allegedly owned by Tupac Shakur (2Pac), purchased by rapper Drake from collector Alexander Bitar in August 2025.

The diamond-encrusted pendant, famously worn by 2Pac on the cover of his 1996 album All Eyez On Me, has been thrust into the spotlight as a potential piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation into 2Pac’s 1996 murder.

However, the court’s decision has left Drake unscathed—and reportedly “grinning with joy”—as it stops short of compelling him to surrender the chain, citing its legal purchase and the case’s age.

The Chain’s Controversial Journey

Drake, a known admirer of 2Pac, acquired the chain for an undisclosed sum, with estimates ranging between $500,000 and $1 million, from Alexander Bitar, a prominent dealer in hip-hop memorabilia. The pendant, engraved with “All eyez on YOU 1996,” was showcased by Drake on Instagram during his Copenhagen tour stop, sparking both admiration and skepticism.

2Pac’s stepbrother, Mopreme Shakur, criticized the sale, arguing the chain should have remained with the family, while former Death Row CEO Suge Knight called it a “fake,” claiming the original had no engravings and was fully diamond-encrusted. Despite these claims, Bitar defended the chain’s authenticity, pointing to photographic evidence of 2Pac wearing similar pendants with minor variations.

The chain’s significance extends beyond its cultural value. Investigators believe it could hold forensic evidence—such as DNA or trace materials—linked to the night of September 7, 1996, when 2Pac was fatally shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas.

The murder, tied to the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry and gang conflicts between the Bloods and Crips, has seen renewed attention following the 2023 arrest of Duane “Keefe D” Davis, a former South Side Compton Crips member charged with first-degree murder.

Keefe D’s confessions, detailed in his 2019 memoir and 2008 police interviews, implicate himself and others in the shooting, allegedly motivated by gang retaliation and a rumored $1 million bounty from Sean “Diddy” Combs—a claim Diddy vehemently denies.

Court Ruling: A Delicate Balance

On September 10, 2025, a Las Vegas district court addressed the chain’s potential role in the case. Prosecutors argued that the pendant, if authentic, could provide critical evidence, especially given its proximity to 2Pac at the time of his death. However, the court ruled that the chain’s authenticity remains uncertain due to conflicting claims from Suge Knight and others, as well as the lack of definitive provenance linking it to the crime scene. Moreover, the passage of nearly three decades since the murder complicates forensic analysis, reducing the likelihood of viable evidence.

Crucially, the court acknowledged Drake’s legal purchase of the chain through a reputable dealer. As a result, it declined to issue a seizure order, stating that confiscating private property without clear evidence of its relevance would violate due process. Instead, the court issued a formal request, urging Drake to voluntarily submit the chain for forensic examination to “assist” the investigation. The ruling emphasized that cooperation would be a “public service” but stopped short of mandating compliance, leaving Drake in full possession of his prized acquisition.

Drake’s Reaction and Public Debate

Sources close to Drake report that the rapper is “thrilled” with the ruling, viewing it as validation of his legal ownership. Drake has not publicly commented on the court’s request, but his Instagram posts flaunting the chain suggest he’s unfazed by the controversy. Fans are divided: some praise Drake for preserving 2Pac’s legacy, while others, including Mopreme Shakur, see the purchase as exploitative, especially amid Drake’s 2024 feud with Kendrick Lamar, who referenced 2Pac’s memorabilia in diss tracks.

The ruling has also reignited debates about the commercialization of hip-hop artifacts. Supporters argue that Drake, who also owns 2Pac’s $1.1 million crown ring from a 2023 Sotheby’s auction, is honoring a legend. Critics, however, question whether such items should be privately owned rather than preserved in museums or returned to 2Pac’s family. The chain’s potential as evidence adds a layer of complexity, with some legal experts suggesting that even if Drake complies, the chances of recovering usable DNA after 29 years are slim.

Implications for the 2Pac Case

The court’s decision underscores the challenges of solving a decades-old cold case. Keefe D’s trial, set for February 2026, relies heavily on his own admissions, as other suspects—like Orlando Anderson, the alleged shooter—are deceased. The chain, while symbolically significant, may offer little practical value unless it yields unexpected forensic breakthroughs. For now, the investigation continues to focus on Keefe D’s testimony and circumstantial evidence, with no direct link to the chain established.

Drake’s ownership of the pendant keeps 2Pac’s legacy in the headlines, but it also raises questions about the intersection of fame, history, and justice. As the hip-hop community watches closely, the chain remains a glittering enigma—authentic or not, it’s a reminder of 2Pac’s enduring impact and the unresolved tragedy of his death.