The Los Angeles Times has reported that the LA intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and West Slauson Avenue will be renamed after the late great Nipsey Hussle, who was just 33-years-old. A petition for the name changed popped up just a couple of days after the Crenshaw rapper’s murder, and gained close to 500,000 signatures in a short span.
The new name of the intersection will be Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom Square.
Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson announced the news earlier today and released a statement about the decision:
“Ermias Asghedom, known as ‘Nipsey Hussle,’ was an icon and West Coast hero. Nipsey’s genuine nature allowed him to be a light to everyone he interacted with, from family, friends, fans and his larger community. As a father, brother and son, Nipsey was a rock helping to build an empire that will continue through generations. Nipsey will always be remembered for delivering a pure, authentic Los Angeles sound; his numerous philanthropic efforts; his innovative, community-focused business mindset; and his humble heart.”
Nipsey Hussle was killed last Sunday in front of his Crenshaw-based store The Marathon Clothing (3420 W Slauson Ave. F.) The alleged suspect, Eric R. Holder Jr., was arrested two days later and charged with Nipsey’s murder. He’s plead not guilty and currently remains in solitary confinement as officials fear for his safety in prison.
Tomorrow, April 11, Nip will be mourned at a public memorial in LA’s Staples Center. Free tickets to the event, which is being called Nipsey Hussle’s Celebration of Life, ran out fairly quickly and unfortunately some people are trying to capitalize on the demand by selling tickets online on different platforms. Thankfully, as was also noted by the LA Times: “this posting violates two of eBay’s policies — the company’s free ticket policy, which allows eBay to prohibit the sale of free tickets on the platform, and its ‘human tragedy policy,’ which bans sellers from profiting from tragedy or suffering.”
Along with the Staples Center memorial, there will be a 41-kilometre funeral procession which will take place through South Los Angeles, Watts, and Inglewood.
“It will begin at Staples Center, travel south to East 108th Street, west to La Brea Avenue and Manchester Boulevard, north to the Marathon Clothing store, where Hussle was gunned down March 31, before ending at the funeral home in the Crenshaw district.”
Yesterday, Nipsey’s mother, Angelique Smith, addressed mourners and fans on a video that was posted to Instagram.