[dropcap size=big]'N[/dropcap]ipsey Hussle was more than a rapper.' That seems to be the sentiment as tributes and feelings of shock poured in about the slain Crenshaw native, who was beloved by his community — a community he championed, invested in, and held up for the world to see.
But those of that grew up south of the 10, east of the 405, know that rap as its purest form has always been about much more than gold-plated consumerism.
Born Ermias Asghedom in South Los Angeles on August of 1985, Nipsey Hussle would grow up to embody the spirit of early hip hop that gave a voice to the community. He told true stories from the streets, and gave young people of color an outlet to express pride and often times disillusionment. In the gilded age of rap music, Nipsey was a throwback.
Several younger people on social media who weren't around to see it, compared his murder and our loss from it to that of L.A.'s adopted son Tupac Shakur.