Nipsey Hussle’s unfortunate death has affected more than just South Los Angeles. For his family, friends, and fans all over the world, he was a great man with a purpose, and this was reflected in his memorial service.
Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle was brutally gunned down outside his clothing shop on March 31st. According to The Sauce, authorities say Eric Holder is the man held in connection with the shooting, which was ruled a homicide. Now almost a week after his death, about 21,000 family, friends and fans gathered at the Los Angeles Staples Center yesterday (11.04.2019) to eulogize the man who was known to many as a friend, and community mobilizer.
His girlfriend and mother of his child Lauren London, took to the stage to share her words to the man she termed as ‘the love of my life.’ Lauren remained strong throughout the eulogy and went on to encourage the people of Los Angeles to stay true to the work Nipsey began in the community. She immortalized him, with the anthem ‘ the marathon continues.’
Nipsey’s parents, Dawit Asghedom and Angelique Smith also gave a moving tribute. His mother called on their ancestors to protect her son Nipsey and went on to share words of wisdom, offering some solace to the large crowd that mourned the death of the local hero. Speaking about her Grammy-nominated son, she said “I am very proud of my son. My son, Ermias Joseph Asghedom was a great man.”
Close friend and mentor Snoop Dogg also shared a few words about the great man from Slauson. In a teary, emotional tribute rap legend Snoop spoke about his experiences with the ‘Ocean Views’ rapper and went on to thank his family for sharing the icon with the world. Speaking to his father, Snoop said, “you may have lost a son, but understand you have found another son in me.” Nearly breaking down to tears, Snoop a former gang member went on to salute his friend and collaborator.
The memorial service was well attended with the event being live streaming on Jay-Z’s Tidal streaming service. Top acts including Jhene Aiko, Anthony Hamilton as well as Marshia Ambrosia give moving performances at the sad occasion.
Former President Barack Obama also paid tribute to the changemaker. The former POTUS lauded the leader for his efforts to uplift his community economically and socially. And although Obama admitted that he never met him, his tribute acknowledged Hussle’s impact within his neighborhood.
Thank you to @BarackObama for sending this letter for me to read celebrating @NipseyHussle’s life & legacy. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/qwEjjb6O9d
— Karen Civil 🇭🇹 (@KarenCivil) April 11, 2019
CNN reports after thousands filled the Staples Center to honor Nipsey on Thursday, a funeral procession set off, carrying his body on a 25.5-mile circuit through the streets of Los Angeles. Hundreds of people lined up on the streets as the hearse with the rapper’s remains made its way by Nipsey’s childhood home and other places that were important to him. Onlookers took pictures of the hearse with their phones as it drove through their neighborhoods. Some rode their bikes while others ran alongside the funeral procession for a final farewell.
According to The Sauce Hussle, grew up in south Los Angeles and was a member of the Rollin’ 60s street gang as a teenager. He later became a community organizer and was involved with the Destination Crenshaw arts project.“I grew up in gang culture,” he told the Los Angeles Times in a 2018 interview. “We dealt with death, with murder. It was like living in a war zone, where people die on these blocks and everybody is a little bit immune to it.”
Nipsey Hussle is survived by two children, Emani Asghedom and Kross Asghedom.
