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In the depths of despair, Nina Bhadreshwar began an unlikely correspondence with a rap legend.

During her teens, the British-Asian writer Nina Bhadreshwar felt alone and disconnected from the world around her. Then, as a young adult in the early 1990s, she discovered a world of graffiti art and rave music. This new passion inspired her to create a self-funded magazine highlighting the work of the underground artists that made her feel most alive. She called it The Real State, and it soon became her passport to the world – taking her from Yorkshire to the bright lights of New York City.

In America, Nina discovered the music of rap superstar Tupac Shakur. Tupac was revered by his fans but was also a complex and contradictory figure. He was known for his ‘thug life’ persona — tough, rebellious, outspoken and at times even violent. But to his fans, Tupac’s music became much more than that. He wrote about racism, inequality and the harsh realities of life in marginalised communities. It was raw and emotional and his music resonated with millions, including Nina.

She was so moved by Tupac’s powerful lyrics, that she decided to send a few copies of her magazine to him. This sparked an unexpected pen pal relationship which Nina credits as a turning point in her life from despair to joy and hope.

Nina recently published her first novel, The Day of the Roaring.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this programme, help is available at Befrienders.org or at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Nina Bhadreshwar and her letter from Tupac Shakur. Credit: Nina Bhadreshwar)