Nipsey Hussle: Obama, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg pay tribute to rapper

0
Nipsey Hussle memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday

Nipsey Hussle memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday

Former US President Barack Obama, legendary singer, Stevie Wonder and rapper, Snoop Dogg eulogised slain rapper, Nipsey Hussle in a very emotional memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Nipsey Hussle  memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday
Nipsey Hussle memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday

Obama wrote a letter to the family, which was read by Karen Civil, Hussleā€™s friend and business partner, where he praised Hussleā€™s attempts to revitalise the gang-plagued neighbourhood where he was raised, and where he was gunned down in March.

ā€œWhile most folks look at the Crenshaw neighbourhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential.Ā He saw hope,ā€ Obamaā€™s letter said, referencing his efforts to build a skills-training centre and a co-working space.

The memorial was held at the 21,000-capacity Staples Center, a sports and pop concert venue, which was packed with fans wearing white and blue for the three-hour memorial.

The ceremony was followed by a 25-mile (40-km) procession through the streets of south Los Angeles.

Fellow California rapper, Snoop Dogg, recalled Hussleā€™s former connections with the notorious Crips gang that the musician later parlayed into efforts to combat gang violence.

ā€œFor God so loved the world, that he gave us a good Crip, the late great neighbourhood Nip. Rest in peace,ā€ Snoop Dogg said.

He called the Grammy-nominated singer ā€œa peace advocateā€ because of his work with all members of the community.

Wonder played his 1980 hit Rocket Love and a version of Eric Claptonā€™s Tears in Heaven to pay respects to Hussle.

Also, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Hussle has become ā€œto hip hop and rap what Bob Marley was to reggae.ā€

ā€œHe lived the gang life but he didnā€™t stay there. He lived the life of the ā€˜hood but he rose above the pull of gravity,ā€ Farrakhan said in a speech.

Hussleā€™s two-year-old son, dressed in a blue suit, was brought on stage in the arms of the musicianā€™s girlfriend, model Lauren London.

Hussle, 33, was shot on March 31 outside a clothing store he owned in south Los Angeles. Shortly after, a stampede erupted at a local vigil for Hussle after reports of a gunman in the crowd.

A 29-year-old man on April 9 pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

Police said Hussleā€™s shooting was motivated by a personal dispute, although it took place in a surge of gang-related violence in south Los Angeles in March.

Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, was Grammy-nominated earlier this year for his debut studio album Victory Lap.

About Post Author

What are your thoughts?