On Thursday afternoon, Los Angeles' Staples Center hosted the funeral service for late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Following an emotional slideshow and a performance from Marsha Ambrosius, Karen Civil took the stage to read a letter of tribute from former President Barack Obama. "While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where [Nipsey] grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential," wrote Obama. "He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going."
President Obama is just the latest in a long line of celebrities and artists that have been paying tribute to Nipsey since he was killed late last month. A suspect in the shooting, Eric Holder, has been arrested and formally charged with Nipsey's murder. Since his death, Nipsey Hussle's studio album Victory Lap has shot to the #2 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
Nipsey's full memorial service is currently streaming on TMZ, TIDAL, and BET. TMZ reports that G-Eazy, Big Sean, James Harden, and Meek Mill are among those in attendance at the Staples Center. Also attending the service is Russell Westbrook, who dedicated his recent triple-double to Nipsey. Read President Obama's full tribute to Nipsey Hussle below, and watch a clip of Karen Civil's reading via ABC News.
Thank you to @BarackObama for sending this letter for me to read celebrating @NipseyHussle’s life & legacy. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/qwEjjb6O9d
— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) April 11, 2019
This article originally appeared on Spin.NEW: Letter from former Pres. Barack Obama read at memorial service for rapper Nipsey Hussle.
— ABC News (@ABC) April 11, 2019
"While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and only see gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope." https://t.co/KyBQh8Fu8n pic.twitter.com/jxRemZowSp
