Last Sunday, famous Los Angeles rapper and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle, real name Ermias Asghedom, was shot and killed near his California clothing store. The icon was only 33 years old and was a father to two children.

Not only was Nipsey Hussle known for being nominated for a Grammy in the category of hip-hop, but also for his caring manner of giving back to his community. Nipsey utilized the wealth he gained from being an artist to buy much real estate near his home community. In turn, he aimed to spark beneficial economic and educational growth to the people in his impoverished, crime-ridden home. Nipsey gave many jobs to the community and even made efforts to create new parks and educational opportunities to the inner-city children.

The region where Nipsey Hussle was born and raised in is known as Crenshaw, a neighborhood in the eastern portion of Los Angeles, California. The Crenshaw area is notably recognized as a neighborhood with many gang affiliations and a high crime rate. In fact, according to AreaVibes, Crenshaw’s crime rate is 66% higher than the national average, with a large presence of gangs such as the Crips and the Bloods.https://www.areavibes.com/los+angeles-ca/crenshaw/crime/

Even so, Nipsey Hussle decided to stay in the Crenshaw area even after making plenty of money and a famous name for himself. In February of last year, Nipsey had even invested in creating a far-reaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for the Crenshaw inner-city youth. In 2017, Nipsey and his brother opened their clothing store called “The Marathon Clothing”. Even earlier this year, the brothers had decided to buy the entire plaza. They had plans to recreate the somewhat old and used lot into a modern, commercial plaza with residential buildings.

California citizens and politicians have felt the strongest impacts of the death of this great man, but the impact of his life and death are far-reaching to all parts of America. Because of this, California representatives in government, such as Representative Karen Bass, plan to honor Nipsey on the House floor in the coming weeks.

In a time when so many people abandon the community they were raised in once they reach fame and wealth, Nipsey Hussle made sure to reverse this trend. In the end, the violence that had so long gripped his community put an end to the great man. His death may have been premature, but his legacy will live on as a shining example of virtue, sacrifice, and compassion.