Thousands of fans pack arena for Nipsey Hussle memorial
Thousands of fans and scores of big name stars packed the Staples Centre in Los Angeles to pay tribute to the murdered rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Celebrities such as Beyonce and Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent were all seen in the arena during the three-hour memorial service for the musician.
Thousands of fans packed out the service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles
During the service, Nipsey Hussle, real name Ermias Davidson Asghedom, was “immortalised” as a home-town hero and was remembered as an activist, campaigner, musician and father.
The service featured moving speeches from family and friends, including his fiancee, Lauren London, and collaborator Snoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg paid his tributes to Hussle on stage
In his tribute, Snoop Dogg said: “You are a peace advocate, Nip, and the marathon is gonna continue.”
He also added a poem, saying: “God so loved the world that he gave us a great Crip / the late, the great, neighbourhood Nip.”
Nipsey Hussle’s parents at his memorial
Nipsey Hussle’s mother also spoke to the 21,000 strong crowd, where she said: “I’m very proud of my son. My son Ermias Joseph Asghedom was a great man… Ermias was a legacy.”
She then started dancing in the aisles to her son’s music, as it was played to the arena.
The last performer on stage was Stevie Wonder, who denounced gun crime as he played “Rocket Man” – one of Hussle’s favourite songs.
Stevie Wonder performed at the ceremony
A letter was also read out from former US president Barack Obama, which said: “I’ve never meet Nipsey, but I’ve heard his music through my daughters, and after his passing I had the chance to learn more about his transformation and his community work.
“While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and only see gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential.”
The service was followed by a 25-mile procession through Los Angeles, passing his Marathon clothing store and ending at the funeral home, with thousands of fans lining the route.
Nipsey Hussle’s procession drove past his clothing store, where he was killed.
Tributes outside Nipsey Hussle’s store, The Marathon
Nipsey Hussle was killed on 31 March outside his clothing store.
A man has been arrested and charged with his death.
His music was critically acclaimed, and even earned him a Grammy nomination for his first album.