Darrius Barron
Sports Editor
On March 31, 2019, the hip-hop community was saddened with the news of Nipsey Hussle’s untimely demise.
Although Hussle got his claim to fame from being a popular music artist from South Central Los Angeles, his reach and influence became that of a social activist.
Before his death, Hussle gave back to his community and quickly became a symbol of hope for young and old people around the country.
Unfortunately, after all his acts of peace and charitable work, he was gunned down in front of his clothing store, Marathon Clothing on Slauson Avenue.
According to ThisIsInsider.com, Marathon Clothing was a small part of a greater plan. Hussle planned to redevelop the strip mall where the store was housed, and serve low-income locals.
Beyond his charity work, community development, Hussle also began working on a documentary that would illuminate the name of the late Alfredo Bowman, notably known as Doctor Sebi.
After days of investigating, Los Angeles police arrested Eric Holder for the murder according to an article published on CNN.com
Holder is a member of Los Angeles’ rolling 60’s neighborhood Crip gang, of which Hussle was also affiliated and is said to have killed Hussle over a previous dispute.
Days after the shocking murder, fans gathered at the Marathon Clothing store for a candlelight vigil for Hussle.
The event concluded in controversy when people began fighting, resulting in several people being shot, and others being stabbed.
Los Angeles Police Commissioner, Steve Soboroff told NBC News that Hussle planned a three-way meeting between himself, LAPD officials, and representatives from Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to find ways to reduce gang violence in Los Angeles.
It is reported by NBC that the meeting will continue to happen out of respect for the late Hussle.
A great number of fellow entertainers and many fans are left mourning from the way the Hussle’s life was claimed by senseless violence.
Caleb Thames, a sophomore biology pre-pharmacy major from Chicago, Il., believes that Nipsey Hussle did reach his full potential in a certain way.
“He impacted the community in the way he was bringing about change and the way his death impacted people like the Nation of Islam, and even the LAPD said how he impacted his community by being a strong leader,” said Thames.
The Hip-Hop community especially is sensitive about the loss of Hussle, and is unrelenting in holding up his name and family.
Kodak Black, a fellow hip-hop artist, took his comments to Instagram live where he spoke about Hussle’s girlfriend, Lauren London.
“Lauren London that baby though. She’s about to be out here single. She’s about to be a whole widow out here, I’ll be the best man I can be for her. I’ll give her a whole year, she might need a whole year to be crying and s**t for dude. I ain’t trying to shoot at her, I’m saying she can do two to three years, I’ll try to be a friend to her, or a shoulder to cry on. You can call my line,” said Kodak.
After the Instagram live video went viral, several people in the hip-hop community demanded that Kodak remove the video from the site, and to apologize to the mourning London.
Other artists like T.I, Game, Tank, Gillie Da Kid, and even radio personalities like Big Boy from Los Angeles’ Real 92.3 took to social media to chime in.
Los Angeles’ Power 106’s Justin Credible took to his Twitter to show his support for Hussle and his family.
“We stand with the family of Nipsey Hussle and are appalled by the disrespectful and poor comments made by Kodak Black. With that, Power 106 will not support Kodak Black’s music,” said Credible.
Josiah Burleson, a freshman political science major from Denver, Colo., does not think Kodak Black’s comment was distasteful, but the timing was a bit too soon.
“I do not think he was out of line for what he said, but I think he was out of line for when he said it. I don’t think it was the right time,” said Burleson.
According to BET.com, Nipsey Hussle’s memorial is scheduled to be held at the Staples Center on April 11, 2019.
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