Nipsey Hussle at an event in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2018.
Photo: WireImage, Prince Williams. All rights reserved.
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Almost three years after Ermias Asghedom, known by his stage name Nipsey Hussle, was shot dead on March 31, 2019 in south Los Angeles, a court on Wednesday (February 22) announced the verdict for his killer Eric Holder. In addition to murder, the jury found him guilty of two counts each of attempted manslaughter and assault with a firearm. He must be imprisoned for 60 years.
Holder reportedly took the sentencing stoically. Like Hussle, he was born and raised south of Los Angeles. Both were longtime acquaintances and active in the gang “Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips” in their youth.
The act happened in front of the clothing store of the then 33-year-old artist. It was rumored that she was preceded by a verbal altercation and allegations by Hussle to Holder. Due to the gang background of both of them, this motif also appears again and again in the speculations. The verdict was delayed for various procedural reasons after the jury found guilty in July 2022.
Bigger than rap
Hussle’s death has provoked a widespread outpouring of grief from fans and other artists across the United States. His musical accomplishments include a Grammy nomination for his 2018 sole album VICTORY LAP. In 2020 he also received several posthumous Grammy awards, including for “Best Rap Performance”. Beneath this officially recognized surface, his oeuvre hides an immense productivity. Since 2005, Hussle has released 14 mixtapes and a large number of standalone singles.
His status as a local legend also stems from his involvement in a variety of ways to profoundly change the circumstances of his own violent history. These initiatives include organizational and financial leadership in real estate projects to fight gentrification, entrepreneurship focused on attracting and keeping money in the Black community, and support for schools and youth projects. A friend of the deceased, who read a final statement before the sentencing, expressed resentment at the violence.
“I don’t care what [Holder] receives. It’s not about the time. I just want to know why. The world wants to know why? Why would anyone do that?”
In August 2022, the City of Los Angeles honored Hussle with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A local politician also proclaimed his birthday, August 15, “Nipsey Hussle Day”. In 2020 it was announced that there should be a Netlix documentary about the rapper. However, an official release date is not yet known.
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