Nipsey Hussle was taken from the world on March 31, 2019. He left behind a legacy for not only the rap world but the world of go-getters and dream achievers everywhere. Those connected to him only had positive things to say about him and how he carried himself. Even in 2023, clips from his interviews where he gives advice of all kinds are still being circulated. Nipsey was a celebrated figure not only in California but all across the USA and beyond. His lasting impact on the world of rap and the culture at large will be forever felt, cherished and remembered.
Unfortunately, Nipsey Hussle’s life was cut short long before due to someone else's behavior. The death itself is tragic and the location where it happened only makes the situation even more disheartening. The day Nipsey Hussle passed was that of sadness and grief but also confusion. Nipsey was not someone who frequently spoke ill of others nor did he often have public disputes. In fact, he prided himself on making connections that could benefit both parties involved, whether he was one of them or not.
Nipsey Hussle Passed Away in March 2019
The public learned of Nipsey Hussle’s death the day it happened. Due to the age of social media we are currently in, the news spread quickly and flooded timelines. Coverage of the situation happened in real-time with details coming in practically every minute. There was footage of various stages of the event being circulated too which was very disturbing for many people.
Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed in South Central Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. The location of the shooting was in front of his store, The Marathon Clothing. Nipsey was signing autographs so there was a large crowd there. This large crowd can be seen in the aforementioned footage that began circulating social media and the scenes of sadness and chaos are quite discouraging. The location that was once known as a symbol of Nipsey’s legacy literally brought to life has now also become the location of the end of the same legacy.
The Case for His Death was Straightforward
Eric Holder Jr. was the gunman who shot Nipsey Hussle at least ten times and also kicked him in the head. There were two other people who were also injured because of Holder’s behavior and were taken to the hospital. Due to the large number of people, Holder was identified easily. Holder’s behavior was not an isolated situation of senseless violence but rather him overreacting in the worst possible way. Nipsey and him had some sort of disagreement related to snitching to police that led to him responding the way he did.
Eric Holder Jr. was arrested for his crime on April 2,2019, days after he had committed the act. His court appearance was in mid-June 2022 after being indicted on May 9,2019. The charges in the indictment were one count of murder, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. Holder pleaded not guilty but Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told jurors that Holder had full intention to kill Hussle. By July 6, 2022 they found Holder guilty and charged with first-degree murder as well as two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter. The second charge comes as a result of the other two injured individuals as a result of the shooting. On February 22, 2023 Eric Holder Jr. was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for causing the death of Nipsey Hussle.
Nipsey Hussle's Memorial Service was in April 2019
The loss of Nipsey Hussle was tragic for his South Central Los Angeles community and the state of California. They held his Celebration of Life Memorial service on April 11, 2019 in the Crypto.com Arena which was known as the Staples Center then. Due to Nipsey’s involvement in his community, the service was open to the public and tickets were free. Additionally, the service was available to stream live online so his supporters from all over could virtually attend. In person attendees included Snoop Dogg, LA radio host Big Boy, Kendrick Lamar and other fellow West Coast figures. Other attendees included celebrities of all kinds with several of them speaking and performing.
The funeral procession for Nipsey Hussle brought the title of his debut album Victory Lap to life with a 25.5 mile route. Supporters from all over stood along the route to pay their respects to their legendary leader. Justice has been served for Nipsey since his murderer will be imprisoned for a long time for his crime. His family can continue to focus on keeping his memory alive and living their lives to make him proud. As a part of keeping his memory alive, the intersection between Crenshaw Boulevard and West Slauson Ave has been named Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom Square. The way the city of Los Angeles chose to honor Nipsey Hussle's death was not only honorable but a testament to his impact on the city. Nipsey is survived by his partner Lauren London and their two children, Kross and Emani.
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