A moment of silence was scheduled for 3:20 p.m. PT, the time police say the 33-year-old was shot a week ago at The Marathon Clothing store. It was organized by the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable. "Here was a young man who was not exclusively about the bling, flash, cash, cars, party, fun, and the fast life. Here was a guy who had his head screwed on right and was giving back to the community by investing in the community," Earl Ofari Hutchinson, the group's president, wrote in a column after his death. A candlelight vigil at Alexander Hamilton High School in the Castle Heights neighborhood Sunday featured the school's alumni along with fans and members of the community. The Grammy-nominated rhymesmith briefly attended school before dropping out at age 15 to pursue his musical career. Those who decided to speak at the vigil discussed Nipsey's legacy and how to keep his entrepreneurial spirit alive. Two speakers were mothers who discussed the impact of Nipsey's death because they were raising black men of their own. The vigil ended with the release of blue balloons in honor of the rapper, as his song "Dedication" played in the background. In the song, Nipsey discusses his commitment to achieving his goals and ambitions despite his circumstances. The tributes follow a coast-to-coast outpouring of love for the Eritrean-American rapper, who was respected not only for his artistry but for his devotion to the Crenshaw District where he grew up. He owned businesses there, invested in the community and counted several Los Angeles rappers among his influences and collaborators. Rapper was more movement than musicianTwo of his mixtapes — "Slauson Boy Vol. 1" and "Crenshaw" — took their names from the area. The Marathon Clothing store sits near West Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. Both police officers and rival street gangs were saddened by his death. Nipsey had reached out to Los Angeles Police Department to request a meeting to discuss ways to curb gang violence and help children, police said following news that he'd been killed. Street gangs, meanwhile, brokered a truce in Nipsey's honor, with a former leader of the Crips and (reportedly Nipsey's onetime manager), Eugene Henley, announcing on Instagram that they had organized a Friday march among "Bloods, Crips with a like mind, that want to support and pay homage to one of our lost soldiers, one of our good brothers and teachers and leaders."Nipsey was a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, and Eric Holder, who police accuse of killing the rapper, is believed to belong to a gang as well, though Police Chief Michel Moore declined to specify gang affiliations. The shooting came after a dispute between Holder and the rapper and does not appear gang-related, the chief said. Holder pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of murder and two counts of attempted murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. He was also charged at his arraignment with possession of a firearm by a felon.CNN's attempts to reach Holder's attorney were unsuccessful. He is being held on $5 million bail and is scheduled to be back in court May 10.Holder and Nipsey knew each other, and the suspect had approached the rapper several times March 31, interacting with him and other men in the clothing store's parking lot, Moore said. At one point, Holder left, returned with a handgun and "purposely and repeatedly fired" at the men, injuring two of them and killing the rapper, the chief said. Steph Curry: Nipsey was 'just getting started'Sorrowful tributes poured forth, with John Legend, J. Cole, Pharrell Williams, Read More – Source
A moment of silence was scheduled for 3:20 p.m. PT, the time police say the 33-year-old was shot a week ago at The Marathon Clothing store. It was organized by the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable. "Here was a young man who was not exclusively about the bling, flash, cash, cars, party, fun, and the fast life. Here was a guy who had his head screwed on right and was giving back to the community by investing in the community," Earl Ofari Hutchinson, the group's president, wrote in a column after his death. A candlelight vigil at Alexander Hamilton High School in the Castle Heights neighborhood Sunday featured the school's alumni along with fans and members of the community. The Grammy-nominated rhymesmith briefly attended school before dropping out at age 15 to pursue his musical career. Those who decided to speak at the vigil discussed Nipsey's legacy and how to keep his entrepreneurial spirit alive. Two speakers were mothers who discussed the impact of Nipsey's death because they were raising black men of their own. The vigil ended with the release of blue balloons in honor of the rapper, as his song "Dedication" played in the background. In the song, Nipsey discusses his commitment to achieving his goals and ambitions despite his circumstances. The tributes follow a coast-to-coast outpouring of love for the Eritrean-American rapper, who was respected not only for his artistry but for his devotion to the Crenshaw District where he grew up. He owned businesses there, invested in the community and counted several Los Angeles rappers among his influences and collaborators. Rapper was more movement than musicianTwo of his mixtapes — "Slauson Boy Vol. 1" and "Crenshaw" — took their names from the area. The Marathon Clothing store sits near West Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. Both police officers and rival street gangs were saddened by his death. Nipsey had reached out to Los Angeles Police Department to request a meeting to discuss ways to curb gang violence and help children, police said following news that he'd been killed. Street gangs, meanwhile, brokered a truce in Nipsey's honor, with a former leader of the Crips and (reportedly Nipsey's onetime manager), Eugene Henley, announcing on Instagram that they had organized a Friday march among "Bloods, Crips with a like mind, that want to support and pay homage to one of our lost soldiers, one of our good brothers and teachers and leaders."Nipsey was a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, and Eric Holder, who police accuse of killing the rapper, is believed to belong to a gang as well, though Police Chief Michel Moore declined to specify gang affiliations. The shooting came after a dispute between Holder and the rapper and does not appear gang-related, the chief said. Holder pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of murder and two counts of attempted murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. He was also charged at his arraignment with possession of a firearm by a felon.CNN's attempts to reach Holder's attorney were unsuccessful. He is being held on $5 million bail and is scheduled to be back in court May 10.Holder and Nipsey knew each other, and the suspect had approached the rapper several times March 31, interacting with him and other men in the clothing store's parking lot, Moore said. At one point, Holder left, returned with a handgun and "purposely and repeatedly fired" at the men, injuring two of them and killing the rapper, the chief said. Steph Curry: Nipsey was 'just getting started'Sorrowful tributes poured forth, with John Legend, J. Cole, Pharrell Williams, Read More – Source
