Sotheby's First Hip-Hop Auction Features Biggie's Crown and Tupac's Letters
On September 15, Sotheby's will launch its inaugural auction dedicated to hip-hop memorabilia in New York, showcasing more than 120 items, such as artifacts, fashion, jewelry, and artwork. Among the standout pieces is a crown that belonged to and was signed by Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.), along with 22 letters from Tupac Shakur addressed to Kathy Loy. The crown, which was featured in a portrait by Barron Claiborne shortly before Biggie's passing, has a projected value of $200,000 to $300,000, while the letters are estimated between $60,000 and $80,000. Proceeds will support the Queens Public Library Foundation and Building Beats. Cassandra Hatton remarked that the auction honors hip-hop's roots and its global cultural impact.
Key facts
- Sotheby's first hip-hop auction on September 15 in New York
- Over 120 lots including artifacts, art, fashion, jewelry, and rare objects
- Most items consigned directly by hip-hop artists and personalities
- Highlights: Biggie's crown (estimate $200k–$300k) and Tupac's letters (estimate $60k–$80k)
- Crown worn by Notorious B.I.G. days before his death for a portrait by Barron Claiborne
- Tupac and Biggie were friends then rivals in East Coast–West Coast feud
- Both died at age 25 from gunshot wounds; killers unidentified
- Proceeds benefit Queens Public Library Foundation and Building Beats
Entities
Artists
- Christopher Wallace
- Biggie Smalls
- Notorious B.I.G.
- Tupac Shakur
- Tupac
- Kathy Loy
- Barron Claiborne
- BC Africanus
- Cassandra Hatton
Institutions
- Sotheby's
- Queens Public Library Foundation
- Building Beats
Locations
- New York
- Bronx