Some of hip-hop’s biggest and brightest stars took to social media on Sunday to mourn the death of Nipsey Hussle, the Grammy-nominated rapper earlier shot and killed in South Los Angeles, city officials said.
Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, was shot multiple times outside his clothing store in LA’s Hyde Park area around 3:20 p.m. local time, authorities said. The 33-year-old entertainer was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The rapper’s debut studio album, “Victory Lap,” received a 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album, but hip-hop sensation Cardi B ultimately took home the win.
“Nipsey” quickly became the top trending topic on Twitter as celebrities — Drake, Rihanna, LeBron James and Snoop Dogg among them — and fans paid homage to the late rapper.
“My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this. We just linked for the first time in years and said we were gonna do a new song this summer cause it had been too long,” Drake captioned the picture. “You were having the best run and I was so happy watching from distance fam. Nobody ever talks down on your name.”
Rihanna shared an image of the late rapper and his daughter, Emani Asghedom, at this year’s Grammy Awards.
“This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this!” Rihanna wrote in an Instagram post. “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.”
Pharrell, Meek Mill, Chance the Rapper, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nas and other Hollywood stars also sent condolences via social media.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents South Los Angeles, where Hussle grew up, honored the rapper as a businessman and entrepreneur who was an “inspiration to many.”
“We mourn his sudden and tragic passing and send his family our deepest condolences,” Ridley-Thomas said in a statement. “As South Los Angeles’ representative on the Board of Supervisors, I urge calm and a period of reflection. … Our communities have lost too many young men and bright futures to the scourge of gun violence.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti similarly sent condolences.
“Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy,” Garcetti tweeted Sunday. “L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence. My Crisis Response Team is assisting the families coping with shock and grief.”
Police have not released details about the circumstances of the shooting, but they said two others were injured.
Police would not identify the victims in the shooting and deferred to the coroner’s office for the identity of the deceased victim. They said the suspect, a black male, has not been found.
Hussle, a Los Angeles native, is survived by his two children and his girlfriend, actress Lauren London. He was known throughout greater Los Angeles for his philanthropy and community involvement.
Watching Nipsey inspired me to invest and own in our communities. He was a solid man who loved his woman, his family and his community. This hurts.
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) 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
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
Broke me…. we really fighting for our lives against our own kind and really have to take risk and match the level of hatred that we are born in .. I’m tired 🙏🏾 prayers for my brother and his family
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 1, 2019
I’ll remember him this way. Bright, genuine, forward thinking.
I’ll remember the beauty that he saw in our community. And the beauty that he was.
He loved us. He’s left that love with us. And it cannot die.
Rest in Power, King. You mattered. #FarewellNipsey pic.twitter.com/fiSvURrz3U
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 1, 2019
ABC News’ Alex Stone and Matt Zarrell contributed to this report.