Staples Center is packed for the memorial service for deceased rapper Nipsey Hussle. After the two hour long memorial, a procession is taking place that will pass through Inglewood, Watts, and South Angeles. It will also stop at the Marathon Clothing store, a store owned by Hussle and where he was fatally murdered last night.
According to the New York Times, as the first performer, Stevie Wonder took the opportunity to make a call for stronger gun control regulations. He closed his performance by singing ‘Tears in Heaven’.
Snoop Dogg also paid tribute to Hussle and called him a “visionary”. He commented on how Hussle’s music was a source of unification for a part of the city that is rampant with gang violence. Snoop said: “We’re going to respect another man from another neighborhood when he comes from where we come from. You are a peace advocate, Nip. That’s what you are.”
Nipsey Hussle’s mom, Angelique Smith, spoke at length about her religious beliefs and hoped that Hussle’s ancestor would “lead him on this journey”.