Photo credit: Getty / Matt Winkelmeyer
Nipsey Hussle, proud father, philanthropist, creative, and one of the greatest rappers to come from the West Coast, was fatally shot today outside of his store, The Marathon Clothing, in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Time of death was 3:20p.m.. Sources report that the LA native was standing in front of his store with a crowd of people, when an unknown individual opened fire, eventually killing Nipsey and wounding two others. The “Victory Lap” rapper was shot 6 times and died at just 33-years-old.
BREAKING: Rapper Nipsey Hussle has been pronounced dead at the hospital after being shot outside his clothing company in south Los Angeles, multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the incident tell @NBCNews. https://t.co/IY2Np29zFm – @anblanx
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 1, 2019
TMZ reports that, “an artist by the name of ‘Cinco’ says he was on Instagram Live Sunday after news broke that Nipsey had been shot. He says in the middle of his Live session, a young man under the username @gasstongbo hopped on with his own video and said he was the shooter.” It is not certain yet if this individual is the same gunman police are currently looking for.
While undoubtedly a creative genius who is remembered for his moving lyrics and altruistic ways, Hussle was praised in the streets of Los Angeles for being a generous philanthropist who dedicated himself to giving back to his community. A well-rounded individual, with an impeccable rapping ability, and a reputation for being business savvy, Nipsey was respected in the streets AND in corporate offices. He was one of the most well-known voices the City of Angels and the West Coast has ever been known for.
He truly was the living definition of what it means to “hussle,” and represented everything the term stands for. The man had an ability to create different ways to make money, and even gained respect and recognition from fellow colleagues for releasing his Crenshaw mixtape back in 2013, and selling for $100 a copy, thus making $100,000. His decision to sell his mixtape for such a hefty price was what eventually helped catch the attention of his partner, Lauren London. Since the apparent “DM slide” and inquiry of the mixtape, the rest was history. The two had been together for 5 years, and were raising a son together.
In addition to his gained success in music, he was eventually able to use the proceeds from his rap career to launch his clothing store, The Marathon Clothing. While hoping to revitalize the neighborhood he grew up in by making headlines and buying the entire plaza where his store lies, Hussle was in hopes to build an entirely new apartment building atop his store and other retail options on the ground floor. According to Complex magazine, “The project was meant to coincide with a new light rail connection between Crenshaw and LAX.”
The South Central rapper was not only honored in the streets of his neighborhood, but across the globe, and many of his colleagues took to social media to mourn his death.
His effortless, laid-back sound and love for his city will forever be remembered. His timeless music will stay “bumping” in the streets of Los Angeles and all across the world, for his legacy lives on forever. Rest in love, Nipsey. Your Power 106 family, the streets of Los Angeles, the entire world misses you dearly. You will not be forgotten for as you used to say, “The Marathon Continues.”
