Friends, family, and fans all gathered at the Staples Center Thursday (April 11) to tell stories, and offer warm anecdotes before saying their final goodbye to Nipsey Hussle. The memorial service billed as a celebration of life featured several musical performances including Jhene Aiko who sang a tender version of “Eternal Sunshine” from her Souled Out album.
The Los Angeles native dressed in black slacks, a black turtleneck and donned a tilted church hat as she took to the stage shortly after Lauren London and the couple’s children greeted the audience. The song from her classic 2014 album Souled Out brought tears to many who watched the nearly three-hour service via live stream.
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On March 31st, the Grammy-nominated rapper was gunned down outside of his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles. Reportedly, the 33-year-old left his home sans security to greet a friend just released from prison who served 20 years. The Victory Lap artist was planning to gift him with clothes.
Hussle’s untimely death has sent shockwaves throughout the hip-hop and sports community, prompting fellow artists and athletes to vocally express their sadness and condolences, chief among them being Barack Obama who wrote a letter to Hussle’s family that was read during the service.
Following the memorial service, a procession will pass by his Marathon Clothing store and end at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills where Hussle, real name Ermias Joseph Asghedom, will be laid to rest.
