The hip-hop icon, who was close friends with the teenager's mum Jada Pinkett-Smith, was murdered in Las Vegas in 1996, but he lives on in the Smith household, thanks to Willow, who wasn't born when he passed.

Remembering him on what would have been his 44th birthday on Tuesday (16June15), Willow took to Instagram and posted a simple "Happy Birthday, Pac" alongside two throwback photos of her mother embracing him, and a letter the youngster wrote years ago, which reads: "Dear Tupac, I know you are alive someplace I think that my mommy really misses you. Can you please come back so mom and me can be happy! I wish you were here... I really do. Love, Willow."