Rapper Eminem paid tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton after her death at 80, sharing a personal 2022 letter from Parton that he said had made a lasting impact on him.
The Detroit rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, posted the note on social media after Parton’s death on August 25. He said they never had the opportunity to meet but described her as an icon and a “superstar in every sense.”
Parton wrote the letter after she and Eminem were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She congratulated him on the honour, praised his induction-night performance and told him she admired his work despite not knowing much about rap music.
The letter also revealed that Parton felt an “unexplained connection” to Eminem and had hoped to meet him during the ceremony. She encouraged him to continue making music, saying his work reached people in ways he might not realise.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame confirms both artists entered its performer category in the Class of 2022, alongside Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo.
Read: Eminem’s Ex-Wife Hospitalised After Fainting at Michigan Home
Eminem joined a wide range of musicians and entertainers who publicly mourned Parton following her death.
