People watch the procession of a hearse of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle as it passes in front of The Marathon Clothing store, where Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed last week, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter, Stevie Wonder sang, and Snoop Dogg called slain rapper Nipsey Hussle a "peace advocate" at a Los Angeles memorial on Thursday attended by family members, friends and thousands of fans.
Obama wrote a letter to the family that was read by Karen Civil, Hussle's friend and business partner. The former president praised Hussle's attempts to revitalize the gang-plagued neighborhood where he was raised, and where he was gunned down last month.
Mourners begin to arrive at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
"While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope," Obama's letter said, referencing his efforts to build a skills-training center and a co-working space.
The 21,000-capacity Staples Center, a sports and pop concert venue, was packed with fans wearing white and blue for the three-hour memorial. It was followed by a 25-mile (40-km) procession through the streets of south Los Angeles.
Fellow California rapper Snoop Dogg recalled Hussle's former connections with the notorious Crips gang that the musician later parlayed into efforts to combat gang violence.
LAPD officers reopen a path for the funeral procession after fans filled the intersection while waiting for the procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Blvd in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
Hussle, 33, was shot on March 31 outside a clothing store he owned in south Los Angeles. Last week, a stampede erupted at a local vigil for Hussle after reports of a gunman in the crowd.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave us a good Crip, the late great neighborhood Nip. Rest in peace," Snoop Dogg said. He called the Grammy-nominated singer "a peace advocate" because of his work with all members of the community.
Wonder played his 1980 hit "Rocket Love" and a version of Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven."
LAPD officers reopen a path for the funeral procession after fans filled the intersection while waiting for the procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Blvd in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Hussle has become "to hip hop and rap what Bob Marley was to reggae."
"He lived the gang life but he didn't stay there. He lived the life of the 'hood but he rose above the pull of gravity," Farrakhan said in a speech.
Hussle's two year-old son, dressed in a blue suit, was brought on stage in the arms of the musician's girlfriend, model Lauren London.
A motorcade arrives at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
A 29-year-old man last week pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Police said Hussle's shooting was motivated by a personal dispute, although it took place in a surge of gang-related violence in south Los Angeles in March.
Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, was Grammy-nominated earlier this year for his debut studio album "Victory Lap."
Fans wait for the funeral procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, along Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by David Gregorio and Chris Reese)
Fans wearing rapper Nipsey Hussle T-shirts wait for the funeral procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, along Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonThe Los Angeles Parmelettes Drumline performers join fans waiting for the funeral procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, along Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonA man kneels as mourners arrive at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonFans wait for the funeral procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, along Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonFans wait for the funeral procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, along Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonComedian Michael Blackson arrives at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonMourners begin to arrive at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonMourners begin to arrive at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonA mourner stands outside Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonFans fill the intersection while waiting for the funeral procession, following a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle, at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Blvd in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonMourners line up at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonA man raps as mourners begin to arrive at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. FallonMourners line up at Staples Center ahead of a memorial for rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon
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