This morning, news broke of the sad passing of Afeni Shakur, political activist and mother of rapper Tupac. Among the many tributes flowing from fans and supporters across the globe, long-time friend to both Pac and Afeni, Jada Pinkett Smith has penned a stirring note.

“I quickly remembered how calm Afeni was especially during any crisis. She always had a way of making me believe all would be well,” Jada laments.

Aside from iconic son, Afeni was an outspoken revolutionary in her own right, having made her own personal impact on the civil rights movement in the US. Her political voice was obviously passed on to Pac. Jada writes that through Afeni, she “got to see where Pac got his passion, his ideals for equality and justice but most of all his depth of thinking”.

In the statement, Jada references Tupac’s ‘Dear Mama’. A song dedicated to his mother, and their tumultuous yet strong relationship, where he raps that there “ain’t a woman alive that could take my mama’s place”. You can read the Facebook post in the link below.

• Words: Eleanor Beardsell