Possibly the Finest Piece of Hip-Hop Memorabilia to Ever Hit the Open Market, With Great Provenance!
In the modern music genre of Hip-Hop, no one is more highly sought after in the collectible world than the infamous West-Coast artist Tupac “2 Pac” Shakur. Offered here is possibly the greatest piece of Tupac memorabilia to ever hit the market in the form of this Biltmore Imperial homburg, worn by the music icon in his fa- mous (or perhaps infamous!) 1995 music video “California Love”. After serving an 11 month prison sentence in Clinton Correctional Facility, Shakur would join forces with controversial figure Marion Hugh “Suge” Knight Jr. and Hip-Hop legend Dr. Dre to produce the “California Love” single under Knight’s infamous Death Row Records label, eventually released on Shakur’s multi- platinum selling album “All Eyez on Me.”
Crucial photo-matches have been provided of the hat including the inner stamping of “Biltmore Imperial” as Tupac flips the hat at the 3:16-3:17 portion of the video and a photo match of the bow on the left side of the hat. The hat sources from Sharise Neil, former wife of Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and current star of the “Ex Wives of Rock” television series. Prior to the shooting of the “California Love” video, Tupac and Sharise met at a gathering and a three-month relationship ensued shortly after. Within that time frame, Tupac gifted Sharise with the hat worn in the “California Love” video where it remained in her possession for over 15 years. In- cluded with the worn homburg is a sworn testament by Sharise that the hat was gifted to her by Shakur. Also included is the ticket stub from their Cabo San Lucas trip which included Tupac, Suge Knight, Snoop Dogg, Sharise and others. The trip was mentioned in another Tupac song which was believed to be written to Sharise “Heaven Ain’t Hard 2 Find,” which was another song Shakur featured on the “All Eyez On Me” album.
Due to Shakur’s early and unfortunate passing in 1996, worn/signed items of his are incredibly scarce and collectible with an ever growing fan base. This item glorifies what many believe to be one of Shakur’s best songs on his bestselling album, “All Eyez on Me.” Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from Iconic Memorabilia and a notarized affidavit from Sharise Neil.