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MTV/TRL/Getty ImagesThe hip-hop community is in mourning in the wake of Sunday’s shooting death of rapper and community leader Nipsey Hussle, who was gunned down at age 33 in front of his Marathon clothing store in LA. Here are just a few of the early reactions:
Chance the Rapper, whose community work and investment in his native Chicago mirrors Hussle’s efforts in L.A., tweeted, “RIP Nipsey man. This is tragic.”
“Nipsey you a legend,” J, Cole tweeted. “I respect and admire your career path and what you did for the neighborhood. My heart broke today when I saw the news. I’m praying for your loved ones.”
Rihanna shared similar sentiments, tweeting and writing on Instagram: “This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! I’m so sorry this happened to you Nipsey Hussle.”
JAY-Z’s Roc Nation official Twitter declared: “Our hearts are heavy over the loss of our brother, Nipsey Hussle. Rest In Peace. Our thoughts, love and prayers to his family and friends.” Hova of course was a huge early supporter of Hussle, famously purchasing 100 copies of Nipsey’s Crenshaw mixtape for $100 each.
“This is so painful!” Colin Kaepernick tweeted. “@NipseyHussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King.”
“Artist. Activist. Angeleno. L.A. mourns the loss of one of our own, Nipsey Hussle,” was the message on the official Los Angeles Lakers Twitter, accompanied by a pic of Hussle courtside in a Lakers jersey.
“Heavy. Sending nothing but love and condolences to Nipsey’s family, friends, Lauren, loved ones,” tweeted Miguel. “Man had a lot of v positive things he was working on for his community and overall consciousness not to mention always solid energy when we crossed paths.”
Meek Mill wrote: “Broke me…. we really fighting for our lives against our own kind and really have to take risk and match the level of hatred that we are born in .. I’m tired prayers for my brother and his family.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted Sunday night: “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.”
LAPD Commissioner Steve Soboroff tweeted Sunday night that he and LAPD Chief Michael Moore “were meeting, at the request of @NipseyHussle with him and @rocnation tomorrow at 4pm to talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids. I’m so very sad.”
“Words can not express our sadness,” Hussle’s label, Atlantic Records, tweeted. “Nipsey was not only one of the greatest artists we worked with but an amazing father and leader in his community. One of the kindest and brightest stars in the universe, he was inspiring to all. We will miss him, his music and everything he stood for. Our deepest sympathy, love and prayers go out to his family. May Nipsey Hussle Rest in Peace.”
Hussle, born Ermias Davidson Asghedom, leaves behind two children, the most recent, son Kross Asghedom, born in 2016 with actress Lauren London, with whom Hussle was in a five-year relationship. The rapper was also a father to daughter, Emani, from a previous relationship.
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