More 20,000 friends, colleagues, family members, performers and fans gathered at the Staples Center for a televised memorial service to celebrate the life and legacy of Nipsey Hussle. The late rapper, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, made a great impact not only in the Hip Hop world, but also in his Los Angeles community.
The ceremony opened with songs from his Grammy-nominated album Victory Lap.
“It’s a victory baby,” DJ Battlecat yelled. “The Marathon continues!”
Minister Reid Rich and Pastor Shep Crawford began the service, followed by a slideshow of Nipsey’s life while Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background.
Karen Civil Reads Barak Obama’s Condolence Letter
Longtime friend Karen Civil read a letter from Barak Obama, sharing his words with those in attendance and watching at home. Obama praised Hussle’s efforts in lifting and investing in his Crenshaw and Eritrean-American community, writing, “He set an example for young people to follow and is a legacy worthy of celebration.”
Civil’s reading was followed by passionate words from Minister Louis Farrakhan and Father Thomas Uwal from Eritrea, the home country of Nipsey’s father.
Nipsey’s Children Remember Him
Nipsey’s children Emani and Kross, along with Lauren London’s son Cameron Carter, also appeared on stage. Carter recalled being visited by Nipsey in a dream.
“I was in paradise and I was playing in the ocean water when Ermias popped up right behind me,” he said. “I realized that Ermias told me what heaven was like. He told me it was paradise.”
Carter also got the audience to chant “Respect!” He told the crowd it was something Nipsey said every morning.
Lauren London Tearfully Reads Text To Nipsey
London, the slain rapper’s girlfriend, then took the stage and began her powerful speech.
“Never was I prepared for anything like this, so bear with me y’all,” she said.
She mourned for their son Kross, saying, “My pain is for my two year old, who probably won’t remember how much his dad loved him.”
London also read a text message she’d sent Hussle one morning while she watched him sleep.
The text, which was printed in its entirety on the service pamphlet, read: “You’ve made me into more of a woman. You’ve given me an opportunity to really love a man. You’ve been with me while I’ve been sick. Through my fears.”
It continued, “You’ve been my turn up and my church. I wouldn’t want to go thru this journey with anyone but you.”
Snoop Dogg And YG Reflect On Nipsey’s Friendship And Career
A choked up Snoop Dogg reflected on his good times with Nipsey, bringing laughs to the crowd. He remembered the late MC bringing him a mixtape and commended Nipsey’s parents for raising their son to be an influential leader.
Before saluting the casket, Snoop pointed out Nipsey’s role as a peacemaker — a Crip who made songs and friendships with Bloods.
YG then emerged as an example of what Snoop said.
“That’s my brother from the other color,” the Compton-bred rapper told the crowd.
YG, a Blood, spoke about their bond and reflected on Nipsey’s positive influence on him.
Stevie Wonder Calls For Stronger Gun Laws & Performs “Rocket Man”
The legendary Stevie Wonder fulfilled a wish that Nipsey had shared on his 2016 song “Ocean Views.” On the track, Nipsey rapped about his death and dropped the following line: “Play a Stevie Wonder song, smoke some flight bro.”
Wonder expressed the need for stronger gun laws and reminisced about meeting Nipsey before performing “Rocket Love” and a rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Tears In Heaven.”
“I was told that this was one of his favorite songs that I had done,” Wonder said of “Rocket Love.”
Earlier in the proceedings, Jhené Aiko sang a solemn version of her song “Eternal Sunshine” at the memorial. Marsha Ambrosius also performed “Fly Like a Bird” and Anthony Hamilton sang “Do You Feel Me.”
Rest in peace Nipsey Hussle. The Marathon continues!
I just watched a glorified Crip funeral. I’m so confused and this was embarrassing to watch. Just wondering if all these celebrities knew of him 12 days ago?
So you think the exploitation of Nipsey death is not over the top to you. He was beloved by his inner circle I get but everybody like Stevie Wonder, Obama, Farrakhan who called him Nipsey Russell and the rest is just fake love. Nipsey could of used the uptick of 3k% streaming when he was alive to be more influential. Just saying
If being over the top influences at least one person in that crowd or watching online to change their life, then yeah, I’m good with it. Anytime someone dies, especially in entertainment, you wish they could’ve received those roses in life, so I get it. But I think if it can ultimately do somebody some good in any type of way, it’s worth it
I totally get what you saying. If you or others was a day 1 Nipsey fan following him on old YouTube videos when he was speaking about uplifting the community but gillie da kid dumb ass interrupts saying some stupid shit Having no money then cool but I’m more upset at the newly minted 7 days ago Nipsey fans all of sudden posing like day1. Nipsey could of used the 3k% streaming that happen over night when he was alive which means he would of got more money and be able to do way more for his community and spread his message of financial ownership in the black community. Where was this uptick in streaming last month? That’s all I’m saying. All I see since this happen are opportunists and fake ppl saying they love him. That memorial was somewhat of a circus tho. No cap.
Nah it was definitely getting close to some circus shit at times. But that’s why, even though it’s not no “highlight” his brother hit me the most. He was genuine, raw. He was gripping that mic the whole time, I could feel his pain. And from personal experience, you just don’t know how to keep composed so props to him that he got through it.
You don’t have to be day one to be down…That’s like saying someone who discovers and adopts Jesus’ philosophy today is a clout chaser who is following two thousand nineteen years too late…
If being over the top helps influence just one person in attendance or watching online to better themselves or their community, yeah, I’m fine with it.
For me, his brother was the highlight.
Highlights? At a memorial service? Sums up the bullshit media’s take on things. The guy was murdered, there are no “highlights” to be mentioned…Get your clicks and coverage at the expense of a man’s life, this whole farce of support for Nipsey by the mainstream media is embarrassing.
Yea it was disrespectful cursing going on sad he passed but these people we’re horrible
Highlights huh?
Why do you care so much? Like you spent time out of your day to type that and hate on someone who was famous for whatever reasons because your life is shallow and insignificant? Like if you died, would anyone even care? Regardless of what YOU think, this person was talented and had a big reach globally. Stop showing your pointless life on this site and go cross a street and please don’t look both ways.
But that’s the point. I and most others don’t care about every other hood shooting. I am in Chicago right now and we average 2-3 shootings a day and no one cares. Go on white owned media local news sites and see the racist comments underneath of how people care about feel about black on black violence that happens every day. The point is Nipsey is a famous RAPPER. A musician, an artist, a celebrity and does draws attention and his death is more important then Jesus in modern times. Jesus is not relevant in 2019 as much as certain people. I hope you live a good life and just stop hating.
You fixed your fingers to say Jesus isn’t relevant? Keep that same energy when Judgement comes for you and the rest of the world and your in front of God by yourself and that comment is brought up. Don’t say my bad I didn’t know. Be a G and tell it straight to the ALMIGHTY GOD FACE. Y’all non believers keep thinking shit sweet. Nipsey more important than Jesus you say. If he ain’t repent of his sins then Nipsey is in hell burning. …Bible says The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire……Keep that same energy
Dude you sound so ignorant. Jesus is not everyone’s truth. Do you follow everyone of Jesus’s commandments? There are billions of people in the world that don’t even know was Christianity, Jesus or the white man written bible is. There are 7.53 billion people in world and only 2.18 billion Christians. And hundreds of thousands get born and die everyday. There are so many other religions and gods including Hindus and Muslims so don’t act jesus even really matters. Thats your opinion. Nipsey was a rapper that made good music and people respect him enough to see the end of his life. Stop getting jealous and literally no one is comparing him to jesus but you. Jesus is not relevant. If you do any drugs, any sex before marriage, any Christians rules broken, you are not wanted by jesus or god or allah or whatever you believe in so stop bruh.
respect and luv to the king. rest in peace brother
you know I just want to say that I think there is something more behind this which could have allowed nipsey to continue living. I had never heard of him until his tragic passing. I think Rupert Murdoch is involved.
Pretend to drink that Flint water Barack.
his family was fans of the comedian you dumbass. they decided to change russell to hussle for his rap moniker. it wasn’t a typo by farakhan.
My homie won free tickets and invited me but I had work today. I should have called out. Damn
Regardless of what you think of nip or it being publicized that was some beautiful shit man. I don’t think I ever seen a funeral that well done. He deserved all that.
end the silence people – do it for nipsey.
“if I die, the set is proud”. And Sam added “the world is proud”. No. Nipsey died for nothing. People won´t stop the killing. All these so called “geez” like Snoop and YG talking all that gang smack. Ex-Pres Barack trying to uplift the Dems with a letter. Rappers buying that Marathon Merch for self-marketing. Yeah, everybody loved him and was close. Parasites eating of the love of man for his community, that only brought death for him self. Fucking sad to watch. Only NORE spoke truth after Nip passed. smh smfh
Bro…keep this negative shit to yourself. Nip dedicated his life to positivity and being an inspiration. I’m willing to bet he did more in his 33 years for himself and his community than you will do in your entire life.
Hey Rob Fuck you!! Dick riding Nipsey Bitch
So memorial services have highlights? Y’all some uncompassionate piece of shits. Not everything needs to be commodified for clicks and ad dollars.
Who the fuck tags a headline “highlights from a memorial service” the sheer lack of humanity is horrible. Hopefully when die we’ll be analyzing the best parts by of ya funeral.
I definitely feel your concern, as I too am always leery about mooching over death circumstances. That said, I was there and there were plenty of undeniable highlights (e.g. Stevie Wonder dominating the performance spotlight but Marsha and Jhene did great as well; Snoop’s comedic relief, the story about Nipsey building a CPU) that despite having everyone’s attention and being encapsulated on TIDAL and BET, will still get lost in the shuffle. It was a joyous celebration whose many highlights should be dissected for more exposure.
RIP Nipsey, the sun shines eternal where you going.
What if we clone nipsy
Rest eaz hussle in paradise may our higher power our lord and saver continue to bless his family and shine down upon them with the shield of protection in the motivation in strength to keep his legacy and impact alive and well. Live Love Life Respect