Nipsey Hussle was laid to rest in a public and emotional memorial on Thursday morining.
Referred to as a Celebration of Life for the late rapper – who was shot to death outside his clothing store on March 31 – the event was held at Staples Center and, following a processional, Hussle was buired in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on April 4 that Eric Ronald Holder Jr. was charged with fatally shooting Hussle and wounding two others in Los Angeles.
Holder allegedly walked up to Hussle, shot him twice, realized he was still alive after Nipsey actually spoke to him… and then turned around, shot Hussle in the head and then ran away to a getaway vehicle.
But this memorial was not about mourning Hussle.
It was about honoring a life spent making music and inspiring others, as Hussle was dedicated to making the dangerous streets on which he was raised safe for current future generations at the time he was killed.
Former President Barack Obama was not in attendance at the service, but he did pen a message to Hussle’s loved ones.
It was read aloud and this is what it said:
I’d never met Nipsey Hussle, but I’d heard some of his music through my daughters, and after his passing, I had the chance to learn more about his transformation and his community work.
While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going.
His choice to invest in that community rather than ignore it — to build a skills training center and a coworking space in Crenshaw; to lift up the Eritrean-American community; to set an example for young people to follow — is a legacy worth of celebration.
I hope his memory inspires more good work in Crenshaw and communities like it
Michelle and I send our sympathies to Lauren, Emani, Kross, and the entire Asghedom family and to all those who loved Nipsey.
Elsewhere, Stevie Wonder sang “Rocket Love” and “Tears in Heaven” — and also gave a speech about the importance of taking action to change the gun laws in America.
“It is a heartbreak to again lose a member of our family. It’s a heartbreak because it’s so unnecessary,” the legendary artist said, adding:
“We, to be a civilized nation, civilized world, we are still living in a time where ego, anger, jealousy, is controlling our lives. It is so painful to know that we don’t have enough people taking a position that say, ‘Listen, we must have stronger gun laws.’ It’s unacceptable.”
Wonder concluded:
“It’s almost like the world is becoming blind. I pray that we will grow. I pray that the leaders who have a responsibility to perpetuate life will do it by making sure that the laws will make it so very hard for people to have guns and to take their frustrations out to kill life…
“I hope that it motivates us enough to say, ‘Enough of people being killed by guns and violence.’
“I hope that we don’t just talk about it but we be about it — make a difference for our future.”
Finally, and perhaps most emotionally, Lauren London addressed attendees.
The actress had been dating Hussle for five years at the time of his murder and has a two-year old child with the late Grammy nominee.
“Never would I prepare for something like this so bear with me, all,” the 34-year-old actress told the crowd of 21,000 in the Staples Center.
She continued through tears:
“You’re still the coolest guy in the world to me. Still! I love you so much. Unconditionally. My truth is this. I’m never going to give up on you. My loyalty and devotion is to you.”
London later shared a text message she wrote to Hussle after watching him sleep one morning and added:
“I’ve never felt this type of pain before but I know that God is alive but bear with me all,” as she read another passage of words she had put together for the memorial…
“His soul was majestic. He was the strongest man that I ever knew. A gentle father, a patient leader, a divine light. He was brilliant. He researched everything, completely self-taught, constantly seeking knowledge.”
Speaking of their son Kross, London grew emotional at the thought of her toddler growing up without his father.
“My pain is from a 2-year-old that probably won’t remember how much his dad loved him,” she said.
“This is something that I don’t really understand but I know Ermias always used to say that you can’t possess people; that you experience them. I’m so honored and blessed to experience such a man.”
London concluded her speech with one of Hussle’s most well-known phrases.
“In Hussle words, because he always used to say this: The game is going to test you but never fold, stay 10 toes down. It’s not on you, it’s in you and what’s in you they can’t take away. He’s in all of us.”
May he rest in peace.
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