The star ceremony honoring late rapper Nipsey Hussle on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday morning drew so many fans that a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard was temporarily shut down.
Hussle was born Ermias Joseph Asghedom on Aug. 15, 1985. Organizers scheduled the ceremony on what would have been his 37th birthday.
Among those attending the event were the late hip-hop star’s sister, Samantha Smith; his father, Dawit Asghedom; his grandmother Margaret Boutte; longtime girlfriend Lauren London; rappers YG and Roddy Ricch; NBA star Russell Westbrook; longtime L.A. radio host Big Boy; Los Angeles city leaders; and members of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
In an emotional moment, fans sang “Happy birthday” to the late rapper.
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London said Hussle would have been impressed by the ceremony.
“Nip would have been honored by this moment,” she told the crowd.
“I think I speak for the entire city of L.A when I say we’ve always known Hussle was destined for greatness,” London added. “This moment only amplifies that for us.”
The “Racks In The Middle” rapper was also an activist, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who redeveloped the South Los Angeles strip mall housing his Marathon Clothing store.
London encouraged his fans to also work toward changing their communities.
“I think he would want everyone to remember that you cant get to what’s possible unless you commit to moving forward. That doesn’t mean forgetting where you come from, but it requires acknowledging the reality you were born into and the power you have to change that reality for the better,” she said.
Hussle’s star is located at 6212 Hollywood Blvd. in front of Amoeba music. The ceremony marked the unveiling of the 2,729th star on the Walk of Fame.
Hussle’s sister called the honor “bittersweet.”
“Nip the great, look at who you are, look at what you did. I’m in awe but I’m not surprised. You’ve been a star in my eyes, the family’s eyes, God’s eyes, far before the accolades caught up, she said.
Related Story: Nipsey Hussle Remembered At Grammy Awards During Moving Tribute
The rapper’s grandmother accepted the honor on his behalf.
“I look at his picture and remember all the wonderful times we had together. Nipsey, I love you, I miss you, but you’re close at heart always. God bless you. God bless everyone,” she said.
Hussle was fatally shot outside his clothing store in South L.A. on March 31, 2019. The rapper was posthumously honored with two Grammy Awards in 2020 — for best rap performance for “Racks in the Middle” and for best rap/sung performance on “Higher.”
Eric Holder Jr., a known gang member, was convicted of murder in July for killing Hussle. He was also convicted of two counts each of attempted voluntary manslaughter and assault for injuring two other people. He will be sentenced in September.
Watch London’s comments above. The full ceremony can be viewed here.
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