Tributes have been pouring in droves for the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom.
The beloved rapper, businessman and philanthropist was shot dead on Sunday outside his Marathon clothing store in Los Angeles’ Hyde Park area. He was 33 years old.
According to news reports, the Grammy-nominated rapper was one of the three people shot in front of his store. Hussle was shot multiple times in the parking lot and was later confirmed dead at a Los Angeles hospital. This confirmation was announced by the Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti via Twitter.
Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy. L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence. My Crisis Response Team is assisting the families coping with shock and grief.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) April 1, 2019
Many celebrities and fellow California natives like Issa Rae, Tiffany Haddish, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg have reacted to Hussle’s death.
Issa Rae wrote “Watching Nipsey inspired me to invest and own in our communities. He was a solid man who loved his woman, his family and his community. This hurts.”
Other prominent figures including Rihanna, Diddy, Drake and Colin Kaepernick have shared stories about the “Victory Lap” rapper’s positive energy and the impact of his reach within the Black community. Many of them also send best wishes to Hussle’s girlfriend and mother his son, Lauren London.
John Legend tweeted “RIP Nipsey. I just spent Thursday with him filming a video for a beautiful new song we created with Khaled. We filmed in Inglewood, close to where he grew up. He was so gifted, so proud of his home, so invested in his community. Utterly stunned that he’s gone so soon.”
RIP Nipsey. I just spent Thursday with him filming a video for a beautiful new song we created with Khaled. We filmed in Inglewood, close to where he grew up. He was so gifted, so proud of his home, so invested in his community. Utterly stunned that he's gone so soon.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 1, 2019
We pray his soul rests in peace.