'Thank you for giving us your son': Eminem reveals debt of gratitude in touching handwritten note to Tupac Shakur's mother

Eminem has made it clear over the years that one of his greatest influences was the late Tupac Shakur.

Now in an uncovered handwritten letter to the deceased rapper's mother Afeni Shakur, the 42-year-old, born Marshall Mathers, expresses his deep gratitude for the seminal rapper.

It is not clear when the letter was written, which also included a hand drawn portrait of 2Pac, but it clearly comes after Eminem's meteoric rise.

Heartfelt: In an uncovered handwritten letter to deceased rapper Tupac Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur, Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, expresses his deep gratitude for the seminal rapper

Posted on a Reddit thread, the letter is said to be a part of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center collection, and was published in the 2007 book Tupac Remembered.

In the letter, Eminem apologizes for the quality of his drawing, which he used an ink pen, but goes on to personally thank Afeni, 68.

'When I was feeling at my worst (before fame, before Dre),' he admits. 'I knew I could put that Tupac tape in, and suddenly, things weren't so bad. 

Devoted fan: It is not clear when the letter was written, which also included a hand drawn portrait of 2Pac, but it clearly comes after Eminem's meteoric rise

Uncovered: Posted on a Reddit thread, the letter is said to be a part of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center collection, and was published in the 2007 book Tupac Remembered

'He gave me the courage to stand up and say "f**k the world! This is who I am! And if you don't like it, go f**k yourself!" Thank you for giving us his spirit, and yours!'

Considered one of the most influential, and bestselling, rappers of all time Tupac was tragically assassinated at the age of 25.

In 1996, the rapper was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, following a feud in the infamous East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry.

Before his time: Considered one of the most influential, and bestselling, rappers of all time Tupac was tragically assassinated at the age of 25

Her darling son: Tupac, born Lesane Parish Crooks, was born to Afeni and Billy Garland, who were active members of the Black Panthers in the 1960s and 1970s

He died six days after the shooting at a Nevada hospital.

Tupac, born Lesane Parish Crooks, was born to Afeni and Billy Garland, who were active members of the Black Panthers in the 1960s and 1970s.

The roots of his politically and socially conscious rap clearly stem from his parents involvement in active protest.

Tupac was born a month after his mother Afeni was acquitted of more than 150 charges of 'Conspiracy against the United States government and New York landmarks' in the 'Panther 21' court case.