When interviewed about the early years of his career, Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has often praised Tupac Shakur and expressed how much he respects the late rapper as an artist and more.

Over the weekend, on a Reddit thread, a user posted images of a handwritten letter and illustration from Eminem to Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur. In the letter, the Missouri rapper thanked her for everything she has done for him and expressed how her son inspired him in life.

Complex confirmed with Shady Records the letter and drawing are authentic.

"I will never forget the opportunities you have given me. You will always be in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers," he wrote.

He also mentioned how her son's music helped him when he was down and out.

"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," Eminem wrote. "He gave me the courage to stand up and say 'F*ck the world!' 'This is who I am! And if you don't like, go f*ck yourself!'"

The "Always Be Shady" rapper also revealed in the letter he's been drawing since the age of 10. He mentioned he didn't have "the right pencils" to draw Tupac; he had to use a pen.

"I could've done a little better if I had the right pencils," Eminem wrote.

Here is a picture of the drawing:

Neither the letter nor drawing is dated. Both are on display at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and the letter was featured in the 2007 book, "Tupac Remembered."

Eminem has yet to comment on when he penned this letter to Tupac's mother.