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UPDATED: 4:34 p.m. EDT — The legendary Stevie Wonder performed at Nipsey Hussle‘s memorial, fulfilling the wishes of the late rapper who said he wanted the iconic entertainer to sign at his funeral. Before singing, Wonder spoke about the tragedy and vicious cycle of losing Black lives to violence.
He then broke into a rendition of “Rocket Love,” a song that Stevie said he was told was one of Nipsey’s favorites.
UPDATED: 4:13 p.m. EDT — Snoop Dogg spoke briefly at Nipsey Hussle‘s funeral and started off his comments with recognizing the strength that Lauren London has been displaying since her partner was killed nearly two weeks ago.
“Every real black man needs a real black woman in their life,” Snoop said about the couple to a round of applause.
UPDATED: 3:33 p.m. EDT — Nipsey Hussle‘s brother took the stage to reminisce about the slain rapper and was perhaps given the warmest welcome by the crowd. Samiel Asghedom told tales of the two of them growing up in South Central Los Angeles, sometimes using explicit language that brought a rousing round of applause from the audience.
UPDATED: 3:22 p.m. EDT — Nipsey Hussle‘s parents took the stage at their son’s memorial and were lauded across social media for their collective calm under such trying times.
UPDATED: 2:52 p.m. EDT — Lauren London brought Nipsey Hussle‘s children out on the stage in an emotional moment during the late rapper’s memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday. Nipsey’s son took the mic and spoke briefly before some of his other children spoke, too, including his baby son.
London was Nipsey’s partner and mother of his youngest son.
UPDATED: 2:23 p.m. EDT — Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke at Nipsey Hussle‘s memorial and honored him with one of the greatest comparisons in music.
https://twitter.com/yashasworld/status/1116405929828732928
He also made an impassioned plea to young people to stop disrespecting and killing one another.
Farrakhan made an unfortunate gaffe while speaking about the late rapper, and Twitter noticed it.
But then Farrakhan put some respect on Nipsey’s name.
UPDATED: 2:17 p.m. EDT — President Barack Obama sent a letter to be read at Nipsey Hussle‘s memorial in Los Angeles on Thursday, and it nearly broke social media.
“While most people saw the Crenshaw neighborhood as gangs bullets and despair, he [Nipsey Hussle] saw potential,” the 44th president wrote in a letter that was read aloud.
Original story:
Nipsey Hussle‘s death touched millions of people, including those who may not have been familiar with him before, which is why a public memorial seemed fitting. With Nipsey’s memorial taking place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, here is everything you need to know about the service along with photos and videos.
Fans were already starting to line up outside the sold-out venue early Thursday morning.
Nipsey’s family announced on Monday that there would be a “Celebration of Life” for Hussle at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles from 10a.m. to noon local time. Nipsey’s casket was expected to be at the Staples Center and a procession is set to start as soon as the service ends. Free tickets to the memorial service became available to California residents on Tuesday at 10a.m. and it was reported that by 10:42a.m., people began receiving messages that there were no more tickets available.
READ MORE: Nipsey Hussle’s Mother Has An Inspiring Message
The 25-mile funeral procession through the streets of Los Angeles, which will pass landmarks that were important to Nipsey, like his Marathon Clothing store, is to give those who were unable to attend the memorial service that chance to pay their last respects. The procession will conclude at a Crenshaw funeral home.
A source told TMZ that Nipsey’s family met with LAPD on Wednesday to discuss logistics and security measures for the event. Per the website for the memorial, no cameras and recording devices are allowed and no one can wear a backpack or bag more that 14 x 14 inches. Attendees will be subjected to search by security personnel.
READ MORE: L.A. Intersection Renamed For Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey, who has been held in high regard for his community involvement, was shot and killed on Sunday March 31 while standing in front of his clothing store at the intersection of Slauson and Crenshaw in Los Angeles. A death certificate showed Nipsey died over 30 minutes after being shot. Suspected gunman Eric Holder was arrested soon after and charged last week for murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of attempted murder as he shot two other people with Nipsey. Holder has pled not guilty to all of the charges and is now being represented by Chris Dardon, the infamous lawyer from the O.J. Simpson trial. Police have called the shooting a personal dispute and not a result of gang violence. They have yet to release details about the conversation Nipsey and Holder that may have led to the shooting.
Scroll down to see images from Thursday’s memorial and funeral for Nipsey Hussle. These photos and videos will be updated throughout the day.
You can also watch a live stream of the memorial service below, which starts at 10 a.m. local time and 1 p.m. EDT, or by clicking here.
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Lauren London and her family speak at Nipsey Hussle’s memorial.
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Louis Farrakhan does a powerful speech at Nipsey Hussle’s memorial.
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Russell Westbrook arrives at Nipsey Hussle’s memorial.
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Masons attend a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the STAPLES Center arena on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People sell memorial bandanas in the colors of Crips (blue), Bloods (red) and other colors outside a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the STAPLES Center arena on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People gather outside a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the STAPLES Center arena on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People gather outside a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the STAPLES Center arena on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People gather outside a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the STAPLES Center arena on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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Press wait outside prior to Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People from Eritrea attend a memorial celebration for fellow countryman, slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the Staples Center arena on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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A guest with Nipsey Hussle on his shoe poses outside of the STAPLES Center prior to Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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Flower displays are seen outside of the STAPLES Center prior to Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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Guests pose outside of the STAPLES Center prior to Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People arrive to attend the Celebration of Life memorial service for rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle on April 11, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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People arrive to attend the Celebration of Life memorial service for rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle on April 11, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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Artist Gift Davis paints a portrait as people arrive to attend the Celebration of Life memorial service for rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle, April 11, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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Lourdes Rodriguez (L) and Bernice Benavides (R) attend the Celebration of Life memorial service for rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle, April 11, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
32. Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration Of Life And Funeral Procession In Los Angeles
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The STAPLES Center is seen prior to Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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Press wait outside prior to Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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Guests begin to arrive at Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life at STAPLES Center on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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People arrive to attend the Celebration of Life memorial service for rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle on April 11, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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People arrive to attend the Celebration of Life memorial service for rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle on April 11, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
