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, Hussle’s friend and business partner, where he praised Hussle’s attempts to revitalize the gang-plagued neighborhood where he was raised, and where he was gunned down in March.
Obama in his letter stated that while most folks looked at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and saw gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential, He saw hope. Obama referenced his efforts to build a skills-training center 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 procession through the streets of south Los Angeles.
Fellow California rapper, Snoop Dogg recalled Hussle’s former connections with the notorious Crips gang that the musician later parlayed into efforts to combat gang violence. Snoop referred to the Grammy-nominated singer as a peace advocate because of his work with all members of the community.
Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan said Hussle has become to hip hop and rap what Bob Marley was to reggae. Hussle’s two-year-old son, dressed in a blue suit, was brought on stage in the arms of the musician’s girlfriend, model Lauren Lond.
33 year old Hussle 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.
