Written by Shamira James
Rapper Ermias Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was gunned down in front of his Los Angeles store, Marathon Clothing, this past Sunday. Hussle became known in the West Coast rap scene in the mid-2000s with several mixtapes he released, including his Bullets Ain’t Got No Name series, The Marathon, The Marathon Continues and Crenshaw. His much anticipated studio and well-received studio album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.
When the news broke late Sunday night, fans and celebrities took to Twitter to share their disbelief and condolences in the rapper’s murder. Ava DuVernay was among the celebrities that took to Twitter to share her condolences.
“I’ll remember him this way. Bright, genuine, forward thinking. I’ll remember the beauty that he saw in our community. And the beauty that he was. He loved us. He’s left that love with us. And it cannot die. Rest in Power, King. You mattered. #FarewellNipsey,” tweeted DuVernay.
Her tweet received a lot of buzz and attention as it highlighted a side of Hussle many often forget: his charitable side. Hussle established an organization called “Too Big to Fail,” a STEM center and marketspace for youth in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw with plans to expand to major cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
Hussle’s death came right in the middle of a documentary he was working on centered on Dr. Sebi, a man believed to have found the cure to AIDS. Many are speculating Hussle’s death as being Illuminati-related due to his involvement with the pseudoscientist, similar to the late Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes. Rapper Nick Cannon promised to continue his project, writing, “Where you left off, we gonna carry one! It’s a MARATHON, so I’m picking up the baton!” on an Instagram post this past Monday. Cannon added, “Now your Spirit is protecting your community eternally! Your words, your steps, your walk always was and always will be SOLID! Now, your message is my message! Your work is my work! I know you still rocking with us and your voice will never be silenced.”
Officials made an arrest in the case on Tuesday. 29-year-old Eric Holder was taken into custody after witnesses saw him at Bellflower, a city just 20 miles from the scene of the crime. LAPD chief Michael Moore said that Holder is a member of a gang and believes the murder is stems from gang-related activity.
Lauren London, Hussle’s wife, broke her silence Wednesday via Instagram: “I am completely lost, I’ve lost my best friend, My sanctuary, My protector, My soul….I’m lost without you, We are lost without you babe, I have no words.”
London had been in a relationship with Hussle for five years prior to his untimely death, during which they expanded their family by welcoming Kross Asghedom, Cameron Carter, and Emani Asghedom into the fold.
