Nipsey Hussle has died, aged 33.
The rapper was shot and killed yesterday (March 31) outside of his Marathon Clothing Company store in the Hyde Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles, south of the Crenshaw area, according to CBS News.
While eyewitnesses claimed to have heard multiple shots fired, law enforcement officials have confirmed that two other men are in serious condition, and a suspect remains at large.
TMZ have reported that the shooting was gang related. Nipsey had been a longtime affiliate of L.A. street gang the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, something he publicly acknowledged on record.
https://twitter.com/theStrapped/status/1112492429842755584
The rapper, who was nominated for a Grammy this year in the Best Rap Album category for his album ‘Victory Lap’, tweeted earlier in the day “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
Having strong enemies is a blessing.
— THA GREAT (@NipseyHussle) March 31, 2019
The shooting is said to have happened soon after taking the below picture with a young fan.
https://twitter.com/_RouxBlack/status/1112494706825392128
Nipsey is survived by his children, including one he shared with actress Lauren London,
Tributes to the rapper have been pouring in since the news of his passing was confirmed, with Rihanna tweeting: “This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones!”
This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! ???
I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle pic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019
Bruno Mars also hailed Nipsey as an “absolute gentleman” after the pair worked together 10 years ago.
“As he grew more successful I would watch his interviews and tell everybody how much I loved the way he carried himself and the positive things he was doing for the neighbourhood and community,” wrote Mars.
“It was very obvious he had so much more to offer than music. It breaks my heart to see he’s gone.”
R.I.P Nipsey pic.twitter.com/gjMwgkwrMO
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) April 1, 2019
In one tweet, Lupe Fiasco said of Nipsey: “You ARE a light and an inspiration to us all. And we gonna keep running this marathon. That yellow tape ain’t the finish line it’s the beginning of the victory lap. Legacy.” See a selection of other tributes to Nipsey below.
Rip Nipsey Hussle.
May God have mercy on your soul and bring peace to your family and friends.
You ARE a light and an inspiration to us all. And we gonna keep running this marathon. That yellow tape ain’t the finish line it’s the beginning of the victory lap. Legacy.
?…
— “DROGAS WAVE” & “BeatNPath” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) April 1, 2019
Post up them Nipsey Interviews. He has a wisdom and a knowledge that you need to acquaint yourself with. It’s in his music but when he speaks it really shows just how much of an intellectual giant he is. Find solace in his own words, his integrity and his actions. He ain’t done.
— “DROGAS WAVE” & “BeatNPath” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) April 1, 2019
Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I’m confused. Nipsey and I had just started really getting to know each other. I feel honored to have worked on his project. Nipsey represents change, he represents evolution, he represents everything our culture needs to embrace. pic.twitter.com/BN9240BYwK
— Diddy (@Diddy) April 1, 2019
Drake on Nipsey’s passing. pic.twitter.com/6irs8oztZb
— Dante' Jones (@Dantej21) April 1, 2019
Sad to see you go Nip, I’m only finding peace in knowing you are blessed. As you know, I was honored to share in such an amazing year with you musically. We spoke abt how they let the… https://t.co/DKSuAqKRqw
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) April 1, 2019
You were about something..positive and for your community in every chance you had to speak..and because of that You inspired millions..millions who will uphold your legacy forever. rest amongst the stars. ?? https://t.co/7gZ795wcQT
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) April 1, 2019
Nipsey you a legend. I respect and admire your career path and what you did for the neighborhood. My heart broke today when I saw the news. I’m praying for your loved ones. This was sposed to be the year we got one in. God had bigger plans for you ??
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) April 1, 2019
MY HEART GOES OUT TO NIP N HIS FAM MAN , THIS MAN WAS ON THE RIGHT PATH AND DOING BETTER IN LIFE , N NIGGAS DO THIS EVIL SHIT, THIS GAME IS SO SHADY ITS DISGUSTING, RIP TO ONE OF THE ONLY REAL ONES LEFT @NipseyHussle ?? SLEEP IN PEACE KING
— LORD FLACKO JODYE II (@asvpxrocky) April 1, 2019
Kendrick Lamar pays tribute to Nipsey Hussle at Lollaplaooza Argentina
"Our Brother,warrior,Soldier, Nipsey Hussle passed away. WE LOVE YOU NIPSEY" pic.twitter.com/6qDCJg2B96
— Hiii-power (@TDE_Updates) April 1, 2019
I’ll never forget you. My heart is broken ?#nipseyhussle
I can’t breathe pic.twitter.com/1sHhqaV1nU
— Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) April 1, 2019
REST IN PEACE NIPSEY HUSSLE
— Vince Staples (@vincestaples) April 1, 2019
Thoughts and prayers for @NipseyHussle https://t.co/z00gcByHmE
— 50cent (@50cent) March 31, 2019
Me Spitta and Nip was all sleepin on couches when we linked up. This shit got me super sad.
— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) April 1, 2019
Our hearts are heavy over the loss of our brother, Nipsey Hussle. Rest In Peace. Our thoughts, love and prayers to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/CxEPSem0fB
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) April 1, 2019
Our deepest sympathy, love and prayers go out to his family. May Nipsey Hussle Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/8GiTY1lPzv
— Atlantic Records (@AtlanticRecords) April 1, 2019
RIP young homie, you kept it ?for real for real‼️ #nipseyhussle https://t.co/8d8qhewq3A
— FAB 5 FREDDY (@FABNEWYORK) April 1, 2019
You left a King’s legacy. RIP Nipsey Hussle.
— Bas (@Bas) April 1, 2019
??????‼️‼️‼️‼️ So so SAD man!! DAMN man this hurt.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 1, 2019
My heart is heavy right now. Rest In Peace @NipseyHussle. Praying for your family and loved ones. ? pic.twitter.com/KN3zBIP3jp
— Tiffany Evans (@Mstiffevans) April 1, 2019
This is so painful! @NipseyHussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King ? pic.twitter.com/hE2MNibbZ7
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) April 1, 2019
I shared a long plane ride with @NipseyHussle right as his major label debut album Victory Lap dropped. We journeyed from Los Angeles to New York on an epic trip, discussing weighty intellectual matters & soul charging moral/racial concerns. He was one of the most intelligent (1) pic.twitter.com/hp8jrNA58O
— Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) April 1, 2019
I can’t even wrap my head around this right now. #RIP @nipseyhussle I’m have no words right now. FUCK, this shit is fucking WACK. https://t.co/RFB0CNSNk2
— XZIBIT (@xzibit) April 1, 2019
Dray and KD pay their respects to the late Nipsey Hussle ?
(Via @loganmmurdock)
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/brentfaiyaz/status/1112515184566796288
I am ? that Nipsey Hussle has died. Beyond the amazing community work & loving family he left behind, he had truly come into his own as 1 of the greats in the game w/ his last album.
His death leaves a void in the culture musically & spiritually that will be very hard to fill
— RosenbergTelevision (@Rosenbergradio) April 1, 2019
I’m so pissed not only cause I was a fan but he stood for something and was genuine about it. Rappers just rap nowadays, it’s rare you get a good dude like him. RIP my G!! @NipseyHussle
— Marshon Lattimore (@shonrp2) April 1, 2019
Rest In Peace Nipsey @NipseyHussle ?
— YBN NAHMIR (@YBNNahmir) April 1, 2019
This is so fucking lame, one of the most genuine and authentic people I've ever met. INFINITE PRAYERS TO HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES ?????? R.I.P NIPSEY HUSSLE ?
— The Lost Boy (@YbnCordae) April 1, 2019
This shit hurts my soul…@NipseyHussle forever
— Cozz (@cody_macc) April 1, 2019
In 2010, Nipsey told Complex about his links to the Rollin 60s Neighbourhood Crips.
“I’m just saying on some gangbang shit, when you go to the county jail and you walk in the court tank and it’s 50 of your enemies, you still gonna say the 60s (Rollin 60 Neighborhood Crips),” he said.
“Or you not a gangbanger. Your homies gonna hear about it, beat you up, kick you in your ass, and you was for nothin.”