The hip-hop world was stunned by the brutal killing of Nipsey Hussle, a Grammy-nominated rapper and community activist, on March 31, 2019. He was shot multiple times outside his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles. Hussle was helping a friend who had just been released from prison. The shooter, Eric Holder, fled the scene and was arrested two days later. He was later convicted of first-degree murder and other charges. Holder faces a possible life sentence.
But what was the motive behind this senseless act of violence? According to witnesses and prosecutors, it all started with a rumor that Holder had squealed to the police, a grave offense in the gang culture that both men belonged to. Hussle was an active member of the Rollin 60s Crips. He had reportedly confronted Holder, who was affiliated with a different Crips faction.
Hussle asked him to address the allegations. Holder, an aspiring rapper, felt disrespected and humiliated by Hussle, a successful and respected artist in the same neighborhood. He left the scene, only to return with a gun and open fire on Hussle and two other men, who survived the attack.
During the trial, the defense argued that Holder acted impulsively and did not have a deliberate plan to kill Hussle. They claimed that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. They said he had no “cooling off period” after being called a snitch by Hussle.
They also suggested that Hussle had provoked Holder using a derogatory term for a snitch captured on a surveillance video.
The prosecution painted a different picture. They portrayed Holder as a cold-blooded and jealous killer. They argued that he deliberately targeted Hussle out of envy and resentment. They said that Holder had a history of violence. Holder had previously threatened to kill Hussle. They also presented evidence that Holder had stalked Hussle. They said he had driven around the block several times to look for him. They said that Holder was angry that Hussle had achieved fame and fortune while he had failed to make it in the music industry.
The jury sided with the prosecution. They found Holder guilty of first-degree murder. He was additionally convicted of two charges related to attempted voluntary manslaughter. He was also found guilty of assault with a firearm. And he was found guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024.
The verdict brought some closure to the family and fans of Hussle, who was mourned by millions of people worldwide. His death triggered an outpouring of grief and admiration from celebrities and ordinary people alike. They praised his music, his generosity, and his vision. Some of the notable tributes came from:
– Rihanna wrote on Instagram,
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. You were such a good soul. You inspired me and millions of others. Rest in peace, Nipsey.”
– Drake, who expressed his shock and sadness on Twitter, saying,
“Nipsey was a real one. A leader and a visionary. He did so much for his community and the culture. I can’t believe he’s gone. RIP, my brother.”
– Michael B. Jordan, who posted on Instagram,
“Watching Nipsey inspired me to invest and own in our communities. He was a solid man who loved his woman, family, and community. This hurts.”
– LeBron James, who tweeted,
“This one hurts big time. Nipsey was more than a rapper. He was a leader, a mentor, a father, a friend. He had so much more to give. My prayers go out to his family and his fans.”
– Cardi B, who said in a video,
“You can’t kill love, and you can’t kill respect. Nipsey was loved and respected by everyone. He was a real one who always spoke the truth and stood up for his beliefs. He was a legend and a hero.”
– Pharrell Williams, who tweeted,
“You inspired millions. You were a king and a visionary. You showed us what it means to hustle and to give back. You will never be forgotten. Thank you, Nipsey.”
The death of Nipsey Hussle was a loss for both the hip-hop community and the Los Angeles community. He left an enduring legacy through his activism and entrepreneurship. He was involved in various projects to uplift and empower his neighborhood, such as opening a co-working space, a STEM center, and a clothing store. He also invested in real estate, education, and health. He was a role model and a source of hope for many young people who faced the same challenges and struggles that he did. His death was a shock and a tragedy that shook the city and the nation.
