Recent speculation that Drake may have purchased the BMW in which Tupac Shakur was fatally shot has been called into question by car enthusiasts and keen-eyed fans.
The rumors began after Drake posted an Instagram story featuring OVO co-founder Niko Carino posing next to a black luxury sedan. While some thought it resembled the 1996 BMW 7 Series (E38) associated with Shakur’s shooting, some have pointed out possible discrepancies.
The vehicle in Drake’s post, one X user pointed out, appears to be slightly shorter in length, potentially matching an E30 3 Series BMW rather than the larger 7 Series. Additionally, the image shows what look to be silver door handles, whereas the Shakur vehicle reportedly had black handles.
Adding to the ambiguity, it’s unclear from the image whether Carino is standing in front of a sedan’s rear door handle or if the vehicle is a coupe.
These differences suggest that the car in question may not be the exact vehicle involved in Shakur’s shooting.
While unfounded, the rumor set social media ablaze. Hip-hop commentator DJ Akademiks briefly acknowledged it in a now-deleted post. However, without an official statement from Drake’s camp, this could simply all be a case of the rapper planting Easter eggs and allowing internet speculation to run wild.
This rumor follows Drake’s $1.01 million acquisition of Shakur’s custom-designed ring at a Sotheby’s auction in August 2023. The purchase drew criticism from fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, who sees himself as carrying on Shakur’s West Coast rap legacy.
During a sold-out performance at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, Kendrick Lamar added a pointed lyric to his song “Euphoria,” demanding: “Give me Tupac ring back and maybe I’ll give you a little respect.”
The tension between the two artists highlights broader debates within hip-hop about cultural authenticity and the ownership of significant artifacts. Vikki Tobak, author of Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History, commented on the controversy: “Drake just sort of buying his cred — it doesn’t sit well with a lot of people.”
As speculation continues, questions persist about the preservation and accessibility of hip-hop’s historical items. Drake has yet to comment publicly on the rumors or the ongoing controversy surrounding his alleged acquisitions of hip-hop artifacts.
