Secret Tupac letter reveals why he dumped Madonna

A rare photo of Madonna and Tupac Shakur together at an Interview Magazine in New York, 1994. Photo/Getty

A letter written by Tupac Shakur while he was in prison reveals the real reason why he dumped Madonna after a secret three-year relationship.

The late rapper - who died 21 years ago when he was shot six times in a drive-by shooting - dated the Like a Virgin hitmaker for three years before his death.

In a gripping letter he penned when he was in prison, Tupac reveals he ended their secret relationship because of their different cultures and how his "people" would react.

Read the letter here: http://www.tmz.com/2017/07/05/tupac-handwritten-letter-to-madonna-from-jail/

He wrote at the time: "For you to be seen with a black man wouldn't in any way jeopardize your career. If anything it would make you seem that much more open and exciting. But for me at least in my previous perception I felt due to my 'image' I would be letting down half of the people who made me what I thought I was.(sic)"

Although he called it quits with the now 58-year-old singer, he claimed in his letter that he never meant to "hurt" her and offered out his hand for a possible friendship.

He explained: "I never meant to hurt you. As you can see I have grown both spiritually and mentally. It no longer matters how I'm perceived.

"Please understand my previous position as that of a young man with limited experience with a extremely famous sex symbol.

"I offer my friendship once again time this time much stronger and focused. If you are still interested I would like to further discuss this with you but some it couldn't wait. I felt compelled to tell you... just in case anything happened to 2 me."

The letter is set to go up for auction between July 19 and July 29 at Gotta Roll, according to TMZ, and the bids will start at US$100,000.

Following her relationship with Tupac, Madonna went on to have daughter Lourdes, 20, with ex-partner Carlos Leon, son Rocco, 16, with her ex-husband Guy Ritchie, and adopted four children; David, 11, Mercy, 11, Stelle and Estere, four.

- Bang! Showbiz