
The Jonas Brothers vie for the top spot.
While many of us are still hurt, confused and angered about the death of Nipsey Hussle just over a week ago, his mother Angelique Smith recently provided the world with words of wisdom and comfort.
In a video posted to Facebook, she spoke calmly, looking into the camera and referencing her superstar son by his given name.
“Ermias is here with me right now. I feel him“ she reassured. “Ermias will never die. You have him in your heart. Every time you think or Ermias, he lives. His spirit is everywhere now. You can talk to him. And he will talk back to you in your mind. Your memory...”
She also spoke of seeing her son’s body upon his passing.
“I don’t want you to be traumatized. Ermias was more beautiful in death than he was in life. Ermias didn’t have any marks on him when I viewed him. His hair was perfect. There was not one strand of hair out of place... I looked at him and said ‘that’s my angel baby.’”
She also referred to him as being at peace and “a baby in the spirit world.”
“Death is something to not to be feared,” she affirmed. “Death is something to prepare yourself for. When you walk this earth and when you do good deeds. For people and you are living and kind, those are the things that will show on your face. You will look more beautiful. Ermias looked healthy, he looked clean, he had a glow. He was radiant. He was so perfect, that he had a sweet aroma. He even smelled good. So please do not fear death. Death is just the beginning of a wonderful world. And I tell myself Ermias likes thrilling things and now my son knows the secret to the mystery of life.”
Nipsey, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was killed on March 31. He was just 33 years old. The news of his work for the community both in LA and abroad and for children has inspired and affected people even deeper than his Grammy nominated music.
A memorial for Nipsey takes place Thursday morning at Los Angeles’s Staples Center from 10am to 12 noon called “Nipsey Hussle: A Celebration of Life.” BET will televise the ceremony. Free tickets were given out to Los Angeles residents on Tuesday and within 21 minutes over 20,000 people signed up to attend. After the celebration, a massive procession will take place in the streets of LA from the Staples Center to Crenshaw blvd, home of Nipsey’s Marathon Clothing store, and end at the nearby Angelus Funeral home, which is handling Nipsey’s remains. A private service for the community activist and motivator took place there Wednesday afternoon for close loved ones and friends.
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Nipsey Hussle, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg joining The Game in one studio. Who could ask for a better tribute? And even with Nipsey not in the room physically, his presence is definitely felt.
Two live videos surfaced on Facebook this past Monday recorded by The Game. In one video, Game vibes off a beat fashioned by Dre while showing off the other members in the room. The second video shows Game, Dre and Snoop Dogg enjoying the same beat, but featuring a few lyrics previously recorded by Nipsey:
“Charismatic on these corners like Tupac on stage, f**k a dream if it’s not gonna pay.”
The Game has been steadily at work for several months on his new LP Born 2 Rap. He’s been dropping pictures and video with several of his peers in the studio, including A$AP Rocky, Ferg, G-Eazy and Miguel. Nothing has been explained, whether these artists just came by to hear the music or to collaborate. It has also not yet been confirmed if that Nipsey verse will appear on the project.
Regardless, whether Nipsey appears on The Game’s upcoming LP or not, it is a true sign of recognition and respect for these legends to keep his art and legacy alive. A major memorial will be held this Thursday at the Staples Center, with tickets sold out within minutes on Tuesday morning.
Diplo always anticipated that “Mad Decent Block Party” would grow huge, it just needed to evolve and expand. Well buckle up, because it’s happening, and we’re all witness.
“The Mad Decent Block Party” started out as a touring event, featuring the likes of OutKast, DJ Snake and other superstars. This year, Diplo’s grand plan of making it into a festival has manifested, resulting in the “Super Mega Ultra Giant Mad Decent Block Party Festival.”
The extravaganza takes place from July 20-22 at Gillette Stadium, the house built by Brady and Gronk. Headliners at this years show include G-Eazy, Miguel, Major Lazer and Billie Eilish. But the lineup is as deep as it is big, with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Kodak Black, The City Girls, Grand Theft, J.I.D., Dillion Francis, EarthGang, Ape Drums and Saint JHN filling the stacked undercard.
In addition to music, the event is offering an array of activities, including paintball, go-kart racing and what is being advertised as “the world’s largest bounce house.”
With a party this big in his old house, maybe even Gronk will be tempted to come back for one last bash?
Nipsey Hussle will headline the City of Los Angeles one last time. Yesterday, it was announced on his Instagram that the event “Nipsey Hussle’s Life Celebration” will take place on Thursday in Downtown LA. The memorial service will be held at the Staples Center, and is for California residents only. A public procession, spanning roughly 25 miles through South LA, will take place after the ceremony. This will include a stop at Hussel’s Marathon Clothing store, where the artist and inspirational speaker was killed.
It’s been just over a week since Hussle was killed, and the news of his passing has impacted the world at large. A peaceful gang rally took place lastThursday and Friday, which was said to have been the largest since the LA Riots in 1992. Different factions came together in unity to honor Nipsey, including an appearance by Minister Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam. Thousands more are expected to fill the Staples Center and line the streets of LA in memory of Nipsey.
On Saturday, J. Cole honored Nipsey at the first ever Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, NC. Cole had these words to say about his friend’s passing and the impact on the community: "I just seen footage yesterday of all types of different sets and hoods walking together in L.A. to pay homage and pay respect to Nipsey Hussle. So, I need us to do the same thing tonight."
In Los Angeles, Kanye West opened his “Sunday Service” spiritual jam session the very next day with moving words recorded by Nipsey prior to his death. “Just wanted to send some words of encouragement,” said Nipsey’s voice, powerfully emanating from the speakers. “Y’all stay focused, y’all keep working hard. Believe in y’all self. Prove everybody that doubt y’all wrong. Show up every day. Stay pure. Stay motivated. Stay smart. Show love to your people.”
“Nipsey Hussle’s Life Celebration” will take place at 10 AM this Thursday, April 11th, at the Staples Center. For fans that were unable to purchase tickets for the already sold out ceremony, information will be released soon regarding the procession.