Rapper and Cannabis Entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle Killed in Los Angeles

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]O[/dropcap]n Sunday afternoon Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed outside of The Marathon Clothing store in Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Two other people were seriously injured in the shooting. Based on his history of community service projects, Los Angeles Times called him a “pillar in his native South L.A. community.”

Nipsey Hussle, 33, was born Ermias Asghedom and leaves behind two children and his girlfriend Lauren London. His album Victory Lap was released last year and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

Nipsey owned several types of businesses in the area including a restaurant and barbershop. At one point, Nipsey donated a pair of shoes to every student at an elementary school in Hyde Park. “He did so much for our neighborhood,” Hyde Park resident Glenn Taylor told the Los Angeles Times. “That’s why I’m here today. This has to stop.” Mayor Eric Garcetti also expressed his condolences to address the senseless act of violence.

Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy. L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence. My Crisis Response Team is assisting the families coping with shock and grief.

— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) April 1, 2019

In 2017, the rapper opened The Marathon Clothing, and he also launched Marathon OG, his line of vape pens and cartridges as part of a collaboration with The Cure Company. Both were named after The Marathon, a critically-acclaimed mixtape he released in 2010. Other projects include Vector 90, a shared community workspace designed to aid impoverished areas. He also invested in an effort to reopen Word on Wheels, a rollerskating rink that was popular decades ago, and it was reopened in 2017.

Several conspiracy theories are forming to explain why a reportedly selfless rapper would be killed. One recent controversial project involved a documentary about Dr. Sebi, a healer who claimed to have found a cure for AIDS, which raised questions. Another conspiracy theory involves Nipsey’s planned project to speak with LAPD Chief Michel Moore and Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff about ending gang violence. In that case, there may have been a motive. Eyewitnesses told police that they saw a young man fire bullets and that they believe it was gang-related.

Nipsey Hussle will be remembered for his generosity and willingness to support the community that he grew up in.