LOS ANGELES—An impromptu memorial of the life of Ermias Asghedom, known as “Nipsey Hussle,” became official when the intersection at Crenshaw Boulevard and West Slauson Avenue was renamed Nipsey Hussle Square on February 28.
The rapper and self-made millionaire was gunned down in front of his Marathon Clothing Store in South Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. He was 33 and left an indelible mark on his peers, community and hip hop culture.
The event honoring the acclaimed rapper, dedicated to his South L.A. roots, drew civic leaders, faith leaders, community advocates, community members, and supporters, including fans inspired by Nipsey’s music and business acumen.
A highlight of the morning included the heartfelt expressions by his brother, Blacc Sam (CEO of the Marathon Brand), his mother Angelique Smith, his father Dawit Asghedom, his longtime partner and mother of his son, actress Lauren London, and others.
“It’s an honor for the city and the people to rename this location Nipsey Hussle Square. It means a lot to us. I know it means a lot to bro. Bro wanted to inspire people,” said Blacc Sam, referring to his brother.
“Long Live Nip!” The throngs of supporters chanted as his brother approached the podium. “I appreciate the honor of being able to rename this Nipsey Hussle Square. It means a lot to us, the family,” he stated. He thanked those who came out, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson and all in the city who made it happen.
He paused for a moment, then continued to speak through tears that fell upon his black jacket. “That’s okay! Take your time!” a few people in the crowd yelled, before they began clapping and cheering, encouraging Blacc Sam.
Everybody who knew Nipsey Hussle knew that he loved the area, his brother explained. The area of Crenshaw and Slauson meant everything to Nipsey, Blacc Sam continued. “I think he met his child’s mother here, sold his first mix tapes here. We used to walk from 60th Street to Crenshaw and Slauson as kids, catch the bus right here,” he stated.
Blacc Sam explained their humble yet rich history in the neighborhood, from the gas station once owned by a Black man, to how they purchased the lot Nipsey once got kicked out of.
“None of that could have been done without the community and without everybody here. I think mix tapes, t-shirts, just the support and little by little that lot turned into something huge and even the owner, he was Korean, he was like, ‘Man, you guys are changing the parking lot and eventually, we opened up more stores and the Marathon Store,” said Blacc Sam.
Dawit Asghedom said his son’s life was more than the study of a musician. “It was the study of a visionary—the son, the father and the bridge between culture, rooted in the streets of South Los Angeles and deeply connected to his Eritrean heritage,” he stated.
The dedication of Nipsey Hussle Square stands as a permanent testament to his son’s vision, he continued, “a place where heritage, culture and community converge. It symbolizes the value delivered by ownership of one’s work (and) reminds us that real change is never a sprint.
It is a marathon built especially through strategy and unwavering dedication. His life bridged neighborhood, nation and a generation, leaving a legacy that endures, not only in his music but the tradition he honored,” he said.
Ms. Smith thanked the crowd for being inspired by and loving her son, who never gave up his dreams, despite his challenges, struggles and burdens. She recalled how respectful and compassionate he was, and the moments she shared with him and Ms. London.
“I just want to inspire everyone here, through your struggles, through your setbacks, your challengers … respond with love. And love yourself and believe in yourself and always hope for a better day,” said Ms. Smith.
Ms. London shared briefly how Nipsey stated that one day, that the whole section would be named after him. She ended by thanking everyone for showing up and to her family for being strong, beautiful, and inspiring her. “God bless you all. Peace and love,” she’s said.
Blacc Sam noted how important the nearby parking lot is and how important the corner now named for his brother is, from their time as children to ownership and even the fatal shooting of his brother in the same corner lot.
He shared some things that impacted him during the memorial procession for his baby brother on April 11, 2019. The sun had already set, and it was dark when the procession stopped at the Marathon Store location. He thanked the Nation of Islam for being with them and the city for coming out.
Blacc Sam said he finds peace in knowing that his brother inspired millions and millions, starting with people in his community and neighborhood who many felt could not be inspired.
“Hussle inspired the youth, inspired the people from the ’hood, inspired the un-inspirable, as people would say, and put another light on it, and made it shine. And I hope everybody takes pride in that and understands that this corner now … is the Nipsey Hussle Square and hopefully until the end of time will inspire people,” said Blacc Sam.
Nipsey’s family has kept the young visionary’s cause and legacy alive, all the while coping with the pain of their loss. Nipsey repeatedly invested in his community, pursuing new business and revitalizing well-known establishments.
Then, in June 2017, he opened his flagship store, The Marathon Clothing, at Crenshaw and Slauson. A year later, he purchased the strip mall housing that store and acquired several of the businesses there, as noted in a motion filed by City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
He worked with Nipsey on his economic vision and on Destination Crenshaw, a project spanning 1.3 miles of the Eighth District, home to the artist’s businesses.“I’m very excited about today. It’s been a long time coming. I can’t think of a greater hero to hold up in our community.
He comes from these streets, a product of these streets, comes from an immigrant family, an African American experience, and through all of that, was able to touch the entire globe,” said Councilman Harris-Dawson.
Nation of Islam Western Regional Student Minister Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad said the naming was a testament to Nipsey Hussle’s spirit, work, and influence he had on Black culture.
“It was really befitting, particularly listening to the family give their testimony on the type of man, brother, partner, uncle that he was,” he stated.
“To see so many turn out to see that his impact is still being felt, it just shows you the social impact that this young man had on his neighborhood, and so it’s befitting that the city would name that area after Nipsey Hussle, knowing now that he was in the process of buying up all of those corners,” he continued.
On April 8, 2019, a Change.org petition started by activist Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic H.O.P.E., to rename the intersection had garnered 30,000 signatures. Seeing the results was an honor, he stated. “It’s a blessing it happened during the Holy Month of Ramadan!
At the end of the day, Nipsey Hussle was a fighter against gentrification, a humanitarian, a philanthropist. He’s someone who loved the community and we loved him even more, so to have this street sign honor him permanently, he’s immortalized right here in Crenshaw and Slauson,” he stated.