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Charlotte’s Eritrean Community Mourns Slain Rapper Nipsey Hussle

Courtesy of Dreamville Festival
A mural of Nipsey Hussle at the Dreamville Festival on Saturday, April 6.

The killing of 33-year-old rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle last month in Los Angeles has echoed around the world. Candlelight vigils were held for him across the United States, in London and even here, in Charlotte.

One of the organizers of the vigil in uptown on Sunday was Rahel Ferai. She said as an Eritrean American, Nipsey was a source of pride for her as an immigrant from a small East African country.

“And to us he wasn't just a rapper," Ferai said. "He was someone that a lot of the youth could look up to. The reason being is because he stated quite clearly where he comes from. He basically let it be known that he’s Eritrean and he’s proud of his heritage.”

Nipsey, born Ermias Asghedom to an Eritrean father and African American mother has said that he didn't know much about his Eritrean side growing up. He was influenced by Los Angeles gang culture and headed in a bad direction. At age 18, his father took him on a trip to their homeland. That’s when he changed his outlook on life.

Nipsey Hussle
Credit Screen shot of YouTube
A vigil for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle.

Ferai said Nipsey’s experience is a story that many immigrant children share.

“He makes it very clear that when he went to Eritrea, that he had a sense of purpose. It solidified who he was, which made him start turning his life around," Ferai said. "I feel a lot of us Eritreans in the diaspora can relate to that. Sometimes you're going through things within your own life when you're trying to fit into American culture and then at home, you’re so into the Eritrean culture and you're like — Which way do I go?”

In the mid-2000s, Nipsey turned away from the street life and began to pursue music. In his music, he preached giving back, ownership, and economic empowerment for black communities. His debut album Victory Lap was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammys.

On Thursday, more than 20,000 friends, family and fans will gather for Nipsey’s memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Sarafina Wright is the "All Things Considered" producer for WFAE 90.7 Charlotte’s NPR Source. Before coming to WFAE, she worked as a political correspondent for EBONY.com, staff writer at the Washington Informer and editor-in-chief of the WI Bridge in Washington, DC. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Howard University. When she's not writing professionally, Sarafina can be found blogging at www.sarafinasaid.com or hanging out with her book club, Charlotte West.