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Rapper Eminem has taken to social media to pay tribute to Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80 on Tuesday.
Eminem, real name Marshal Mathers, shared a touching letter he had received from Parton four years ago, before paying his respects to the late singing icon.
The ‘Lose Yourself’ rapper was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Parton in November 2022, with the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Duran Duran, Eurythmics and Carly Simon also inducted in the same cohort.
Following the induction ceremony, Parton wrote to Eminem, congratulating him, as well as lauding his display, where he delivered renditions of several of his classic hits.
The letter read: “Marshall (Eminem), Congratulations on your induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Your performance was amazing and everybody said so.”
“Even though I don’t know a lot about rap music, I’ve come to know that you are the very best at it,” the country star admitted. “Aside from that I hope what I have to say will not seem weird or strange to you but I have always felt some unexplained connection to you like I know you somehow.”
“I had hoped to meet you at the show but you know how nuts those things are, personally I hate ‘em and I missed my chance but maybe someday we’ll meet,” she added. “In the meantime, keep doing what you’re doing because you do it so well and no matter how complex your world may be just know you are very special and touch people in ways you don’t even know. With love & respect, Dolly Parton.”
While the pair never actually met, Eminem revealed the profound “impact” it had on him.
“She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it,” the rapper wrote.
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon. A superstar in every sense,” he claimed, before concluding, “Rest easy, Dolly. And thank you for the kind words.”
Parton had been battling kidney and autoimmune issues before being diagnosed with cancer, dying just four days after she was initially admitted to a Nashville hospital.
A representative told PEOPLE that “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” the statement continued. “Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.”
The statement concluded, “Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.”
