FORMER Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has caused astonishment after quoting lyrics from 2Pac as he expressed his sorrow at the death of US rapper, Nipsey Hussle.

He tweeted his condolences in a message that said: “Was recently informed about the death of @NipseyHussle and I was saddened to hear about his death and the other 10 people killed in Los Angeles last week. 

Was recently informed about the death of @NipseyHussle and I was saddened to hear about his death and the other 10 people killed in Los Angeles last week. How can one take someone's life so easily? 'Baby Don't Cry Gotta Keep Your Head Up Even when The Road is Hard Never Give Up'

— Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (@Ahmadinejad1956) April 14, 2019

“How can one take someone’s life so easily? ‘Baby Don’t Cry Gotta Keep Your Head Up Even when The Road is Hard Never Give Up’.”

His statement came as a surprise to many amid claims that Mr Ahmadinejad banned all Western music from appearing on Iranian state television and radio soon after taking power in 2005 — an accusation denied by Iran.

Mr Ahmadinejad uses his social media account to post musings on sport, describing himself in his Twitter profile as a “Husband, Dad, Grandfather, University Professor, President, Mayor, Governor, Soccer Player, Proud Iranian.”

A recent post congratulated the University of Virginia men’s basketball team for winning the US national championship.

In February he joined in the widespread 10-year challenge posts, posting photographs of himself taken in 2009 and 2019.