Hip-hop lost one of it's greatest mothers this week. Afeni Shakur, the mother of the late Tupac Shakur, passed away at the age of 69 on Monday (May 2).

She died in her Sausalito, Calif. home after suffering a possible cardiac arrest. Hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Atmosphere and many more voiced sadness on social media after learning about Afeni's sudden death. Her impact in not only hip-hop but in the world following her own son's death was felt and she will truly be missed.

Born Alice Faye Williams in Lumberton, N.C., Afeni changed her name and joined the city’s chapter of the Black Panther Party in 1968. Along with several BPP members, she was involved in Panther 21, a group eventually arrested and charged with conspiracy to blow up department stores, subways and police stations. Acting as her own lawyer, she would beat the state’s case against her. A little over a month after being released from prison, Afeni would give birth to Tupac. She opens up about her survival story and her son's legacy in XXL's 2003 cover story, Afeni Shakur, Survivor, here.

One of 2Pac's most iconic songs in his entire discography is undoubtedly his ode to his mom, "Dear Mama." The track was the lead single from his third studio album, Me Against the World, which dropped in 1995. The song was extremely personal and touched on the roller coaster relationship the rapper had with his mother. The touching tribute to his mom was well-received and critically acclaimed, inspiring many other artists to pay tribute to 'Pac with their own similar lines to the track. Since the release of "Dear Mama," many hip-hop artists have made references to the exemplary track. Here are 15 Songs That Reference 2Pac's "Dear Mama."

  • "Peepin' Tom"

    Knoc-Turn'al
  • "The Bigger Picture"

    Dilated Peoples Featuring Krondon
  • ''Mama's Family''

    Mia X Featuring Fiend, KLC, Mr.Serv-On, Mac, Kane & Abel
  • "2Pac Problems"

    Maino
  • "Take My Pain"

    Fiend
  • "Deer Mama"

    Yelawolf
  • "Hustlers Dream"

    The Game Featuring Anthony Hamilton
  • "Take A Minute"

    K'NAAN
  • "Taxi Driver"

    Royce Da 5'9"
  • "Top 5 (Dead or Alive)"

    Jin
  • "Soul Power"

    Common
  • "Letter 2 Pac"

    Boosie BadAzz
  • "I Put On (Remix)"

    Young Jeezy Featuring Jay Z and Kanye West
  • "Kurt Kobain"

    Proof
  • "It Won't Be Long"

    J. Cole

More From XXL