Tupac Shakur has had a profound impact on many of today’s artists including Eminem. The Detroit rapper showed his appreciation for the late rap legend by sending a letter and illustration to Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur.
In his handwritten note, which surfaced on Reddit (via Complex) and appears in the 2007 book Tupac Remembered, Em thanks Afeni for everything she has done for him and tells her how much ‘Pac inspired his career. It’s unclear when he penned the touching tribute.
“You have no idea how much your son and his music has inspired not only the ‘hip-hop’ world, but speaking for myself, has inspired my whole career,” he writes. “He was, and still is, the true definition of a ‘Soldier.’ When I was feeling at my worst (before fame, before Dre) I knew I could put that Tupac tape in, and suddenly, things weren’t so bad.”
He also shows off his artistic skills with a drawing of ‘Pac and a note: “To Afeni, Your friend 4-ever! Marshall.”
The letter and sketch are on display at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Ga.
