Never-before-seen mugshots of legendary hip-hop artists Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. will soon be up for auction. Decades after their tragic deaths, the legacy of these iconic figures continues to resonate, with their memorabilia fetching millions.
Key Takeaway
Never-before-seen mugshots of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., as well as rare footage of B.I.G.’s last performance, are up for auction. The items hold immense value due to the enduring legacies of these legendary hip-hop artists and the recent developments in the investigations into their murders.
The Auction
GottaHaveRockandRoll, a prominent auction house, has announced an upcoming auction set to take place from October 25 to November 10. Among the items up for bidding is rare footage of B.I.G.’s final performance. Recorded during the Sting festival in Kingston, Jamaica on December 26, 1996, this performance holds special significance as it was the rapper’s last before he was murdered on March 9, 1997.
B.I.G.’s Last Show
During the concert, B.I.G. appeared in a wheelchair, still recovering from a car accident where his friend and fellow rapper Lil Cease was driving. Despite his injuries, B.I.G. delivered an unforgettable performance. Grainy footage of the event has circulated on the internet, but GottaHaveRockandRoll guarantees the authenticity of the original video, which has never been released to the public. The winning bidder will also receive the full copyright of the footage as well as a copy of the agreement Biggie signed with Sting to join the festival lineup.
The Auction Highlights
In addition to the rare footage, the auction will feature the aforementioned never-before-seen mugshots of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Tupac’s mugshot, taken with a Polaroid, has never been made public and is estimated to fetch anywhere between $20,000 to $40,000. On the other hand, Biggie’s mugshot comes with a signed thank-you note from jail and is predicted to command a similar price as Tupac’s.
The Intrigue
The recent testimony of a retired Vegas detective before a grand jury has reignited speculation about the connection between the murders of Tupac and B.I.G. According to the detective, both killings are linked to the same individuals. This theory gained further traction with the recent arrest of Duane “Keefe D” Davis in connection with Tupac’s murder. Law enforcement in Las Vegas believes they have apprehended the last living suspect in the 1996 slaying, adding to the value and intrigue surrounding collectibles associated with both Tupac and B.I.G.
