Sunday’s fatal shooting of rapper Nipsey Hussle in front of his Los Angeles clothing store, in broad daylight, shocked fans and the entertainment industry.
The Grammy-nominated artist from Crenshaw, born Ermias Asghedom, became an impactful part of his community, even with his flaws. From a gang member running the streets to a community activist and businessman trying to clean them up. Nipsey preached economic empowerment and education to neighborhood residents.
Some of his most notable projects included launching Vector90, a coworking space and STEM center; buying the strip mall that housed his clothing business; owning a barbershop; opening a fish market; investing in Destination Crenshaw, an open-air art project featuring local black art; and producing a documentary relating to the 1985 trial of Alfredo Darrington Bowman, aka Dr. Sebi, an herbalist who claimed he could cure AIDS.
If there is anything we can learn from Hussle, it would be the importance of investing in our communities. He was buying back his L.A. neighborhood before developers could gentrify it. Back in February, Hussle told Forbes that he planned to turn the plaza he bought into a mixed-use development with housing and retail.
As Charlotte continues to grow and faces its need for more affordable housing, will there be a Nipsey Hussle to step in on behalf of the underserved communities?
Hussle seemed to positively impact a number of celebrities, including those with Carolina ties. Here are a few reactions from some of them surrounding Nipsey’s passing:
Steph Curry
Anthony Hamilton
J. Cole
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
Fantasia
Chris Paul
Maaaan this got me sick… prayers to @LaurenLondon and the rest of the family ???????? #RIPNipsey
— Chris Paul (@CP3) April 1, 2019
Chadwick Boseman
Baron Davis
Damn bro
— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) April 1, 2019
9th Wonder
Rapsody
???? Nipsey.
— Rapsody (@rapsody) April 1, 2019
Terrence J
PJ Tucker
Kallan Louis is a writer and consultant for qcitymetro.com. He does a lot, but never feels like he’s doing enough. His life can be described as a Venn Diagram: News media, Black culture and sports. He’s always on TV, but rarely seen.
