Drake Pays Tribute to Nipsey Hussle as Music Industry Reacts to Rapper’s Death

Variety Staff

News of the death of Nipsey Hussle hit the music industry hard on Sunday afternoon, with fellow artists like Drake and Rihanna jumping on social media to pay tribute. Drake, who wrote that he saw Hussle “as a man of respect and a don,” also revealed that the two had planned to do a song together this summer.

The Los Angeles rapper, who was shot multiple times outside his store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, was only 33. The shooting, which injured two others, took place outside the Marathon Clothing Company, which Hussle (real name: Ermias Davidson Ashedom) opened in 2017 with two partners. His album “Victory Lap,” released last year via Atlantic Records, was nominated for best rap album at the Grammy Awards, losing to Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy.”

Related stories

Aretha Franklin Doc 'Amazing Grace' Has Gala Premiere at Church Where It Was Filmed

Police Seek Nipsey Hussle's Killer, Believe Shooting Was Gang-Related

Among those paying tribute to Hussle were some of the top artists and hitmakers working today, like Sza, Chance the Rapper, Meek Mill, Chuck D, Boi-1da, Doc Mckinney, and Murda Beatz.

View this post on Instagram

Fuck. My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this. We just linked for the first time in years and said we were gonna do a new song this summer cause it had been too long. You were having the best run and I was so happy watching from distance fam nobody ever talks down on your name you were a real one to your people and to the rest of us. I’m only doing this here cause I want the world to know I saw you as a man of respect and a don. Rest easy my g.

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:26pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:40pm PDT

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

View this post on Instagram

What a damn tragedy. We have lost another brilliant black man to senseless gun violence. One of my favorite things in the world to do was tell people how much they were sleeping on Nipsey Hussle. He has inspired me so much as an artist. Salute young Nip. RIP.

A post shared by Talib Kweli (@talibkweli) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:23pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

When will this shit stop? As black men we have all the odds stacked against us 10 fold, yet we’re still killing each other. I’m actually sick to my stomach right now. Nip was a young black man doing positive things in his community, giving out the blueprint for ownership, unity and positivity. This shit gotta stop, they’re already trying to hold us down any way possible. RIP Nip, your words and lessons won’t go in vain.

A post shared by

(@boi1da) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:26pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Fr tho… we/they always find away to kill our best. Prayers up for #nipseyhussle . Legacy is everything and his is deifintely cemented as a true king of his people. Very sad day to say the least.

A post shared by Doc McKinney (@docmckinney) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:27pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

REST IN HEAVEN MY BROTHER , THANKS FOR ALL THE SOLID CONVERSATION , WE ALWAYS CLICKED WHEN WE CHOPPED IT, SIMILAR DRIVE SIMILAR GOALS . SALUTE EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE & STOOD FOR , & THE FOUNDATION U LAID FOR YOURS , WE LOST A GIANT TODAY , REST IN HEAVEN NIP

A post shared by Mike WiLL Made-It (@mikewillmadeit) on Mar 31, 2019 at 6:38pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

We lost such a leader today RIP @NipseyHussle Truly heartbreaking. One of the first artists to really fuck with us. This is from our first trip to LA. So humble! So talented! Song Murda and Nip made that night “Grinding All My Life” ended up being on his Grammy nominated album this year. Had the pleasure to spend time with him on Red Carpet at the awards before the show. Always such a genuine, kind, wise soul. The realist! Shit’s terrible. Such a loss!

A post shared by Cory Litwin (@cory_litwin) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:30pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

RIP Nipsey this shit crazy

A post shared by Soulja Boy (Drako) (@souljaboy) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:43pm PDT

And the greater music industry expressed its shock and sadness.

View this post on Instagram

Words can not express our sadness. Nipsey was not only one of the greatest artists we worked with but an amazing father and leader in his community. One of the kindest and brightest stars in the universe, he was inspiring to all. We will miss him, his music and everything he stood for. Our deepest sympathy, love and prayers go out to his family. May Nipsey Hussle Rest in Peace.

A post shared by Atlantic Records (@atlanticrecords) on Mar 31, 2019 at 8:23pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Hip-Hop aside..Nipsey was a Father. A Husband. A Son. A Brother. A community leader. He was a human and other humans need him. He worked hard. He never asked for handouts. He wanted to learn & be great in every aspect of his being. #RIPNipseyHussle You are a legend Soldier Nipsey Hussle is 33.

A post shared by Ebro Darden (@oldmanebro) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:54pm PDT

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

View this post on Instagram

…this is almost surreal, I still don’t want to believe it. We lost a Brother, a Friend, a true Visionary and Loyal Comrade to All those whom he embraced. I remember about 10 years ago when @bigu1 brought Nipsey in for a meeting and he was such a student of the game. Over the years I’ve watched his career elevate, watched him grow as an artist, he made meaningful strides in business and became an important voice for a generation. My Deepest Prayers are with His Children, Lauren and his Family .

A post shared by Shawn Holiday (@shawnholiday) on Mar 31, 2019 at 7:55pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

You were Grammy Nominated, I told you that the accomplishment in itself had meant so much to the hood… You tried to convince others like us to reinvest and build up our communities… You stood on integrity. This shit don’t make no sense. They killing our neighborhood heroes… I can’t even say the three letters. This shit just doesn’t make any fucking sense. Yo please go shower his family with love and support… This some sick shit. Ain’t a place in world big enough to hold your service… #nipseyhussle

A post shared by BROOKLYN JOHNNY (@brooklyn.johnny) on Mar 31, 2019 at 6:12pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

An inspiring voice, gone too soon #RIP Nipsey Hussle

A post shared by Michael Rapino (@michaelrapino) on Mar 31, 2019 at 8:37pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

REST IN HEAVEN MY BROTHER , THANKS FOR ALL THE SOLID CONVERSATION , WE ALWAYS CLICKED WHEN WE CHOPPED IT, SIMILAR DRIVE SIMILAR GOALS . SALUTE EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE & STOOD FOR , & THE FOUNDATION U LAID FOR YOURS , WE LOST A GIANT TODAY , REST IN HEAVEN NIP

A post shared by Mike WiLL Made-It (@mikewillmadeit) on Mar 31, 2019 at 6:38pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Sunday. On this beautiful La Sunday…. God. I dont know what to say right now. I’m numb and this shit hurts. Nipsey epitomized black excellence, excellence, hustle, motivation, entrepreneurship, leadership and so much more. I am numb and sad. This makes zero sense to me. This isnt right and this feels just idk God. This is some real bulls hit. What kind of a piece of shit do you have to be to want to wish even the slightest but of harm on such a postive and uplifting person in the community. Im fucd up right now. I’ve always quietly been enamored with how unique Nipsey was.. Not by his music but truly by his Hustle. Over the past few years Nispey has become a KING. Different type. In 8 years I promise you I’ve never heard a single person talk bad on this man’s name. Not once. Something isnt right here I feel for his family I’m devastated for his family. Devastated for ms Lauren London. I hurt for a whole community. Nipsey was a pillar in his community. A pillar on the West Coast. This just makes zero sense right now. Got Damn shame Please Lord please . Damn. This doesnt make any got damn sense. Something is wrong here. I’m done. Idk, God Bless

A post shared by The Revels Group (@jamiliooo) on Mar 31, 2019 at 6:18pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

An Amazing Human Being , Father , Brother , Friend , We Are Going To Miss You So Much , Truly Heart Broken And Crushed …. I’m Lost At Words , I Miss You @nipseyhussle , This Ain’t Right …

A post shared by Kevin Wong (@iamkevinwong) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:54pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

If you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet Nip, you know he was as solid as it gets. You’ll be missed. Rest In Peace, Nipsey Hussle! My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.

A post shared by Carl Chery (@carlchery) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:55pm PDT

Fans of Hussle’s included “Insecure” star Issa Rae and “Black Panther’s” Michael B. Jordan.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

View this post on Instagram

Just spoke to you, always kept it 1000. Always was real. You’re a Rest up young KING. RIP Nipsey

A post shared by Michael B. Jordan (@michaelbjordan) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:55pm PDT

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.