Posted by The absence of beloved Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle is still being felt by artists from the West Coast, East Coast and everywhere else in between on the third anniversary of his death.
Nipsey Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom was fatally shot outside his Marathon Clothing Store at the intersection of Crenshaw and Slauson avenue in Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. The then 33-year-old was allegedly shot down by Eric Holder, who has pleaded not guilty and remains behind bars as he awaits his trial date — which has been delayed multiple times in the years since the Victory Lap MC’s death.
On Thursday (March 31), multiple artists such as Snoop Dogg, YG, Jadakiss and more posted Instagram tributes featuring throwback photos and personal accounts in honor of Nipsey Hussle’s iconic legacy.
YG’s tribute actually features one of the most infamous photos of his early days of collaborating with Nipsey Hussle in South Central — despite the pair of rappers’ affiliations with rival gangs.
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West Coast Hip Hop legend Snoop Dogg chose to remember his followers to Nipsey Hussle with a moment in which he was very much alive and potentially on alert to square up with NBA players while sitting courtside at a Lakers game where LeBron James got into a squabble with a Houston Rockets player.
“Never forget when Nipsey was ready to go,” the caption of the action shot of Nip hiking his pants up read.
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The Lox lyricist and certified New York rap veteran Jadakiss celebrated the memory of Nipsey Hussle’s life in the most New York way possible by dedicating his custom New Era 59fifty fitted cap, which features a side patch that reads “Forever Nipsey,” to the “Racks In The Middle” rapper.
“We doing it for Neighborhood NIP tonight,” Jadakiss wrote in the caption of the photo.
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Jadakiss’ fellow New York rap counterpart Dave East, who notably collaborated with Nipsey Hussle and L.A. vocalist Bino Rideaux in 2016 on the Slauson Boy 2 track “Clarity” also posted a photo honoring Nip.
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Hussle’s brother and business partner Blacc Sam also shared a heartwarming photo tribute of a youthful Nipsey who appears to have been around grade school age at the time the photo was taken.
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Even celebrity-breaking news outlet TMZ paid their respects to Nipsey Hussle by sharing an interview clip of him promoting his Marathon Clothing brand and The Marathon Clothing store he and his brother Blacc Sam built.
Remembering Nipsey Hussle❤️ pic.twitter.com/0182gmM2E4
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 31, 2022
NBA veteran and guard for the Charlotte Hornets Isaiah Thomas also posted a photo tribute on Twitter highlighting a photo of himself donning Crenshaw hoodies with Nipsey Hussle and Adam All Money In outside of The Marathon Clothing store.
Happy Birthday Adam All Money In ? RIP @NipseyHussle pic.twitter.com/crwQsJCClM
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 31, 2022
Nipsey Hussle’s longtime partner Lauren London, who survives Nip in death along with their son Kross Asghedom, posted her heartfelt tribute a day earlier on March 30 and received support in the comment section from artists such as T.I., YG, Lala Anthony, Kehlani and more.
Lauren London Pays Tribute To Nipsey Hussle On 3rd Anniversary Of Rapper’s Death
“Loving You Here There Then Now Forever and After,” Lauren London captioned the post. “Long Live The King Ermias Asghedom Hussle Man.”
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In the three years since his death, Nipsey Hussle’s legacy has continued to grow posthumously via his own hard work, and the efforts of his estate. In 2020 he won two Grammy Awards for his assist on “Racks in the Middle” with Hit-Boy and Roddy Ricch and his feature for DJ Khaled’s “Higher” which won the Best Rap/Sung Performance category.
In February, Nipsey Hussle’s brother Blacc Sam also announced his family has purchased a commercial property in the Melrose district of L.A. where a second Marathon Clothing store is set to open.