Tupac Shakur: Remembering Kendrick Lamar's heartfelt letter to 2Pac on the 20th anniversary of the rapper's death

'I was eight years old when I first saw you'

Tupac in 1993 (A CROLLALANZA/REX/Shutterstock)

Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, known as 2Pac, died in a Nevada hospital 20-years ago having been wounded in a drive-by shooting.

The incident took place on the 13 September 1996, with many of the details about the attack - which took place on Flamingo Road and Koval Lane in Las Vegas - remaining a mystery.

Tupac’s legacy on the rap and hip-hop world remains prevalent today, particularly when it comes to Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar whose To Pimp A Butterfly finished with words from Tupac.

Last year, Lamar paid tribute to Tupac in a moving open letter which can be read below.

“I was eight years old when I first saw you. I couldn’t describe how I felt at that moment. So many different emotions. Full of excitement. Full of joy and eagerness. 20 yrs later I understand exactly what that feeling was. Inspired.

“The people that you touched on that small intersection changed lives forever. I told myself I wanted to be a voice for man one day. Whoever I knew was speaking out loud for you to listen.

“Thank you. K.L.”

Lamar’s last album was originally not titled To Pimp A Butterfly, instead being given a name that could be abbreviated to TuPAC: Tu Pimp A Caterpillar.