Eminem has shared the touching letter he once received from Dolly Parton, while thanking the late icon for her “kind words”.
The rapper (real name Marshall Mathers) paid tribute to the country icon on social media, following her death, aged 80, yesterday (Tuesday August 25).
He attached the letter Parton had sent him after he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2022, with Parton being inducted that same year.
“I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me. She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it,” Mathers wrote in the caption.
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon. A superstar in every sense. Rest easy Dolly. And thank you for the kind words.”
Parton’s letter to Eminem 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.
“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.
It continued: “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.”
The letter also contained Parton’s pink signature – you can see the post here:
Mathers’ performance at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame saw him team up with Ed Sheeran and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. The rapper was inducted by his long-term friend and mentor Dr Dre, who hailed him as not “just an underdog who broke through the glass ceiling of hip-hop – he shattered that shit”.
That year, Parton initially asked to be taken out of consideration for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, saying she didn’t feel like she had “earned that right”. However, she ultimately reversed her stance: “Well, I’ll accept gratefully. I will say ‘thanks’ and accept that.”
Parton’s team has confirmed that the singer passed away following “a brief battle with cancer”, saying she was “surrounded by loved ones”.
Tributes have poured in from the music world and beyond. The likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Mick Jagger, Debbie Harry, Miley Cyrus (Parton’s goddaughter) and Jack White are among the other major artists to have shared messages.
The latter performed his cover of Parton’s classic track ‘Jolene’ at his show in London last night, describing her as “an incredible artist, philanthropist, advocate, and human being”. Elsewhere, Glastonbury boss Emily Eavis remembered Parton’s historic Legends Slot performance at the 2014 festival.
“There was a vast crowd in the field for her slot, the sun shone, and when she walked out on to the Pyramid Stage she reigned supreme,” Eavis wrote. “It was just magic. Thank you for it all, Dolly.”
Parton’s family confirmed her death in a statement, saying: “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
“Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
In an update published last week, Parton told fans that she was dealing with issues she had neglected while caring for her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, before his death last year. “Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’,” she explained.
This March, the singer made her first public appearance in several months when she gave a keynote speech at Dollywood: “I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on.
“I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
The NME obituary for Parton concludes: “As we all reel from Dolly Parton’s death, that glorious 2014 Glastonbury set may prove a balm. Introducing ‘Coat Of Many Colors’, her 1971 country hit about a patchwork coat sewn by her mother, this humble ‘farmer’s daughter’ paid tribute to her family’s love and resilience. Resplendent in her rhinestone suit, she embodied both qualities as a unifying icon. The world has become more divided since that set, but everyone will always love Dolly.”
