Nipsey Hussle: Obama, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg pay tribute to rapper
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.
Obama wrote a letter to the family, which was read by Karen Civil, Hussleās friend and business partner, where he praised Hussleās attempts to revitalise the gang-plagued neighbourhood where he was raised, and where he was gunned down in March.
āWhile 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 Obamaās 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 Hussleās former connections with the notorious Crips gang that the musician later parlayed into efforts to combat gang violence.
āFor 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 āa peace advocateā because of his work with all members of the community.
Wonder played his 1980 hit Rocket Love and a version of Eric Claptonās Tears in Heaven to pay respects to Hussle.
Also, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Hussle has become āto hip hop and rap what Bob Marley was to reggae.ā
āHe lived the gang life but he didnāt stay there. He lived the life of the āhood but he rose above the pull of gravity,ā Farrakhan said in a speech.
Hussleās two-year-old son, dressed in a blue suit, was brought on stage in the arms of the musicianās 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 Hussleās 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.