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By Minyvonne Burke
Nipsey Hussle’s grieving family members, friends and fans were among thousands who filled the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday for his funeral as others lined nearby streets to say their final goodbye to the slain rapper.
The memorial service — described as a celebration of his life — began after 1 p.m. ET at the 21,000-seat arena in Los Angeles. Fans who live in California had the opportunity to get free tickets, which were snapped up within minutes, to attend the event.
Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, was shot multiple times March 31 in Los Angeles outside The Marathon Clothing store, which he co-owned. He died at a hospital from gunshot wounds to his head and torso.
The suspected gunman, Eric Holder, was arrested April 2 in Bellflower, a city in southeast Los Angeles. Holder allegedly got into a personal dispute with Hussle, 33, before leaving the store and returning with a gun.
Two other men were shot, but survived.
Singers Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony Hamilton, Jhené Aiko and Stevie Wonder were slated to perform at the memorial service.
The service also included a video presentation, tributes by his children and family, including his longtime girlfriend Lauren London, and scripture readings.
Also expected to participate are media mogul Karen Civil, rapper Snoop Dogg and radio host Big Boy. Rapper YG and producer DJ Mustard are both listed as pallbearers, along with Hussle’s brother Samiel Asghedom.
Ambrosius became emotional before singing Mariah Carey’s “Fly Like A Bird.” Hamilton gave a touching rendition of his song, “Do You Feel Me,” and Aiko performed her song, “Eternal Sunshine.”
Wonder also performed “Rocket Love” from his 1980 album “Hotter Than July.”
Civil read a heartfelt message that former President Barack Obama wrote honoring Hussle.
“I’d never met Nipsey Hussle, but I’d heard some of his music through my daughters, and after his passing, I had the chance to learn more about his transformation and his community work,” the letter stated.
“While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope,” Obama wrote. “I hope his memory inspires more work in Crenshaw and communities like it.”
Lauren London’s son, Kameron Carter, told the crowd about a dream he had days after Hussle died where the rapper told him that heaven was like “paradise.” Hussle’s daughter, Emani Asghedom, became visibly emotional on stage and did not want to talk.
Several of Hussle’s family members got up to talk, including the rapper’s brother, Samiel.
“I want everybody to know Nip put his heart and soul on Crenshaw and Slauson,” he said. “Bro stayed and he died on Crenshaw and Slauson.”
He added: “Everything he said in the music was who he was. I hope that he knows that we’re all proud of him.”
London read a text message she sent to the rapper in January thanking him for making her into “more of a woman.”
“You’re still the coolest guy in the world to me,” the message read. “I love you so much. Unconditionally. My truth is this. I’m never going to give up on you. My loyalty and devotion is to you.”
The actress, who shares son Kross Asghedom with the rapper, said she has “never felt this pain before.”
“My pain is for my 2-year-old that probably won’t remember how much his dad loved him,” London said.
She also included Los Angeles residents in her tribute, telling the crowd: “We lost an incredible soul. We lost someone incredibly rare.”
“I love you beyond this Earth.,” she continued. “And until we meet again, the marathon continues.”
Rapper Snoop Dogg called Hussle a “great man” and a”great leader” during a speech that reflected on their friendship.
“You are a peace advocate, Nip,” he said.
Before performing “Rocket Love,” Stevie Wonder said Hussle’s death showed a need for tougher gun laws.
“It is so painful to know that we don’t have enough people taking a position that says, ‘Listen, we must have stronger gun laws.’ It’s unacceptable. It’s almost like the world is becoming blind,” he said.
“I’m very happy that in his short life, he was able to motivate people,” Wonder said of Hussle.. “And I hope that it motivates you enough to say, ‘Listen, enough of people being killed by guns and violence.’ I hope that we don’t just talk about it but to be about it, to make a difference for our future.”
Following the funeral, a 25.5-mile procession will take Hussle’s casket around parts of Los Angeles and pass through neighborhoods and areas he was dedicated to helping and investing in. The procession route will travel through the Vermont Harbor neighborhood and Crenshaw, where he grew up.
It will also pass by his clothing store on Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. Since his death, the store has become a memorial for fans to gather and leave flowers. On Thursday, Los Angeles City Council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson announced that the intersection near the store will become “Ermias ‘Nipsey Hussle’ Asghedom Square.”
The final stop for the procession will be the Angelus Funeral Home in the Crenshaw district.
The last time the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, was used for a musician’s memorial service was in 2009 for Michael Jackson.