Nipsey Hussle’s mother, Angelique Smith, took the 2019 BET Awards stage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night (June 23).
Alongside Nip’s grandmother, father, Lauren London and his three children, Smith accepted his posthumous Humanitarian Award.
Dressed in a tie-dyed skirt and bright orange jacket, Smith went into a colorful account of the moment she showed up to the Marathon Clothing Store on Slauson and Crenshaw, the location where Nip was shot and killed on March 31.
Smith detailed the conversation she had with a police officer on the scene and revealed she’d had a spiritual experience before she left for the hospital.
“One of Ermias’s close friends was very traumatized,” she said in part. “I walked over to him and put my hands on his shoulder, and I told him, ‘Evan, look into my eyes, Evan.’ I said, ‘You know that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience, right Evan? You understand that, right?’ So even though our bodies die, as they call it on this side of eternity, our spirits lives.
“We lift out of this vessel and we continue on, and then I felt a spirit of retribution and revenge when I had my hands on his shoulder and I had to talk .. I was 100 percent present in the spirit and 100 percent absent in the body until I felt that spirit of retribution and revenge … I could tell I chased those spirits away from him.”
Nipsey Hussle's Mom speaks at the 2019 Bet Awards#BETAwards #WatchWithBET #Betawards2019 pic.twitter.com/vQHLhS7jGf
— HIPHOP CROWN NATION (@hiphopcnation) June 24, 2019
When Nip’s father approached the mic, there was an awkward moment when Smith tried to get him to speak closer to the mic, but he told her, “Do your thing over there.”
@NipseyHussle DAD PUT MOMS IN HER PLACE ????♂️ #BETAwards2019 #BETAwards #NipseyHussle #RestInPeace King ? pic.twitter.com/WLXmNzkcks
— PAID & FULL (@GoGoDevSoFamous) June 24, 2019
Of course, Twitter had its commentary and most were intrigued by Smith’s words.
Check out some of the reactions below.
Nipsey Mother’s Spirit is so beautiful ?? #TMC
— Karma Renee (@kustomlooksbyk) June 24, 2019
Nipsey’s mom pretty much said she felt her’s son’s spirit in his passing and that she received confirmation his soul was being resurrected when she saw the officer’s badge said ressurecctión. Not that hard to understand? #BETAwards
— latrice (@_teapain) June 24, 2019
I’m not even finna lie, it might be the weed but Nipsey Hussle moms talking on the BET awards…. i was wondering where the speech was going it almost went over my head but the end part brought me back
— Tiff ? (@Tiff_Marsh_a) June 24, 2019
#I love the whole BET Awards show. They honored Mary J., Tyler Perry gave a great and inspiration speech and Nipsey Hussle's mom gave some deep spiritual insight in honoring her late son I enjoyed Lil Nas X and Billy Ray for that hip "Old Town Road" performance. #BETAwards2019
— TMac Pullum (@TmacPullum) June 24, 2019
Ppl who don’t understand Nipsey’s mom can only comprehend. THE DOOR IS OPEN, THE DOG IS BIG, I AM TALL. Etc
— AntwanBusiness (@AntwanBlack_) June 24, 2019
I really don’t know what to say except that I’m grateful BET gave Nipsey Hussle’s family time to say all that they needed to say. #BETawards
— fredara (@fredaraMareva) June 24, 2019
I was lost a few times in my life… but Nipsey Hussle's mom sent me into the quantum realm with that speech. #BETAwards2019 #BETAwards
— Marc Wattie (@MarcWattie) June 24, 2019
I understood Nipsey Hussle mom
To the fullest and she has every right to be mad— Epic performance on bet awards …thank you Mjb (@johnroy76) June 24, 2019
That @NipseyHussle tribute… job well done @BET. Y'all got it right! #BETAwards2019 #betawards pic.twitter.com/Ny0mXZy2sU
— Eb (@BrandMeEbony) June 24, 2019
@NipseyHussle deserved way better than that @BET..Guess @MTV should of did his tribute..they go all out in those situations..smh!
— Bag$ ? (@FOEBoss_NC) June 24, 2019
I had to include Nipsey Hussle’s Moms messages on my list of things Im grateful for! #BETAwards19
— Ashley Rae LLC.? (@AshleyRaeBrand) June 24, 2019