One year after the death of rapper and activist, Nipsey Hussle, people pay tribute to him. Hussle was killed on March 31, 2019.
The 33-year-old community activist, whose real name is Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was shot and killed by Eric Holder, 30, a fellow gang member. The incident took place outside Hussle's clothing store, Marathon Clothing, in Hyde Park, Los Angeles.
People commemorate both Hussle's achievements in music as well as his empowerment of his community. He was reportedly connected to the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips gang. However, he was believed to be using his wealth and power to give back to and improve the South L.A. neighborhood where he grew up.
Shortly after Hussle's death last year, Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson released a statement referring to the slain artist as a "West Coast hero" and an "icon". Further extolling his "genuine nature" that allowed Nipsey Hussle to "be a light to everyone he interacted with".
Messages poured in at the rapper's one-year death anniversary, including one from Matthew A. Cherry, director of the Oscar-winning animated short "Hair Love", posted a picture of Hussle on Twitter with the caption, "Rest In Peace Nipsey Hussle", followed by #TheMarathonContinues, which was the late rapper's catchphrase.
Hussle's 2018 debut studio album, "Victory Lap", was met with critical and commercial success, and also earned a Grammy Award nomination for the Best Rap Album. Also, his singles "Racks in the Middle" and "Higher" were awarded two posthumous Grammys for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap/Sung Performance, respectively, in the award ceremonies held last January.
Three months after his death, the BET Awards also awarded him a posthumous Humanitarian Award. Among the artists that paid tribute to Hussle was T.I., who said that Nipsey "proved that your life is your canvas and your body of work is your legacy".
Other people who paid respects yesterday was Frederick Joseph, an author, philanthropist, and media representation advocate; he said that he could not believe it has been a year. He also expressed gratitude to Hussle for "always trying to figure out what we can do for the community".
"Don't worry, we are still down here doing the work, RIP NIP", Hussle's fellow philanthropist said.
In a BBC documentary released last week, titled "The Mysterious Murder of Nipsey Hussle", British journalist and filmmaker Ben Zand interviews people around Hyde Park to learn more about the rapper's murder.
One of the respondents, a store-owner named Sedrick, said Nipsey should have security on that fateful day, noting that his wealth made him a target. Sedrick also accused the "Higher" artist of "forgetting the rules" of gang culture.
Pre-trial transcripts allege a conversation between Hussle and Holder before the incident, with Hussle apparently accusing Holder of being a "snitch" and working with the cops. For gang members, being called a "snitch" is "the worst thing you can say", according to Zand's interview with the store-owner. A fellow gang-member further stressed in the interview that it's at par with being called a child molester.
Achieving moderate fame in the 2000s West Coast hip hop scene, Nipsey Hussle was later signed to Cinematic Music Group as well as with Epic Records before releasing his much-awaited debut album. Hussle openly denounced gun violence and shared his own gang experiences through his songs.
His community activism extended to fund improvement projects and participated in panels discussing life in the area and the influence of gang culture.
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