Madonna wrote and recorded a song with the late rapper, but replaced him with someone else.

Madonna has been causing controversy ever since her career began. Her provocative image in the early eighties caused parents to wonder if she was an appropriate role model for their children. Her music videos would shock viewers with their boundary-pushing imagery. In 1990, her “Justify My Love” video was even banned by MTV.

However, when Madonna released her “Sex” book in 1992, the controversy ignited a backlash with many questioning the future of her career. In order to bounce back from this scandal, Madonna would need to avoid controversy with her next project.

It was around this time that Madonna was dating Tupac Shakur. The two even wrote and recorded a duet for Madonna’s next album. However, when the song was released, Madonna replaced his verse with someone else.

Madonna Wanted To Soften Her Image Following The ‘Sex’ Book Backlash

In October 1992, Madonna released her “Sex” book. The book was a collection of photographs by fashion photographer Steven Meisel. The shots depicted Madonna as well as a bunch of other models nude. It even featured cameos from Vanilla Ice, Naomi Campbell, and Big Daddy Kane.

The book caused controversy yet again for Madonna. However, the reaction sparked a backlash that had many wondering if Madonna’s career would survive.

“I think people’s reaction to specific situations in the book was much more a reflection of that person than me,” Madonna told 60 Minutes Australia at the time.

Thirty years later, Madonna reflected on the book’s legacy in an Instagram post.

“30 years ago I published a book called S.E.X. In addition to photos of me naked there were photos of Men kissing Men, Woman kissing Woman and Me kissing everyone. I also wrote about my 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual fantasies and shared my point of view about 𝓈ℯ𝓍uality in an ironic way,” she wrote.

“I spent the next few years being interviewed by narrow minded people who tried to shame me for empowering myself as a Woman,” Madonna continued. “I was called a whore, a witch, a heretic and the devil.”

Tupac Broke Up With Madonna And Later Wrote Her A Heartfelt Letter From Prison

Madonna made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman following the “Sex” book scandal in March 1994. During the interview, Madonna used the f-bomb 13 times and confronted Letterman for making fun of her in the past.

Years later, Madonna would reflect on her motivation for this moment when speaking to Howard Stern in 2015.

“I was dating Tupac Shakur at the time, and the thing is he got me all riled up on life in general,” Madonna said. “So, when I went on the show, I was feeling very gangsta.”

The revelation made headlines everywhere. There were rumors the two dated back in 1994, but this was the first time Madonna herself confirmed it.

Many have wondered if the two simply had a fling or if there was more to the relationship. In 2017, TMZ obtained a three-page letter Shakur wrote to Madonna from prison.

“First and foremost, I must apologize to you because, like you said, I haven’t been the kind of friend I know I am capable of being,” he wrote.

“An interview where you said ‘I’m off to rehabilitate all the rappers & basketball players’ or something to that effect those words cut me deep seeing how I had never known you to be with any rappers besides myself. It was at this moment out of hurt & and natural instinct to strike back and defend my heart & ego that I said a lot of things.”