Rihanna, Drake and Ice Cube have led tributes to acclaimed US rapper Nipsey Hussle after he was gunned down in Los Angeles.
The Grammy Award-nominated musician, 33, was shot along with two other people outside a clothing shop he owned in the city’s south on Sunday afternoon.
Shortly before, a tweet was posted on his official account that read: “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
Having strong enemies is a blessing.
— THA GREAT (@NipseyHussle) March 31, 2019
News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from shocked stars from the world of music and sport, who hailed Hussle’s talent and community work.
Expressing her disbelief on Twitter, Rihanna said: “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”
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 pic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a
— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019
Fellow West Coast hip-hop star Ice Cube tweeted: “Sad, mad and disappointed about my guy @NipseyHussle,” while rapper Asap Rocky tweeted: “This man was on the right path and doing better in life.”
Drake posted an image of Hussle on Instagram with the caption: “My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this… You were having the best run.”
The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, said Hussle’s death was an “awful tragedy”.
“L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence,” he tweeted.
Sad, mad and disappointed about my guy @NipseyHussle
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 1, 2019
The Los Angeles Police Department said they were hunting for a black male suspect in connection with the shooting.
The force said it was called to the scene in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard at 3.30pm.
“Three victims were transported to a local hospital where one was pronounced deceased,” it said on Twitter.
Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Davidson Asghedom, had been a figure in the West Coast hip-hop scene for more than a decade.
He released a number of mixtapes before his debut album, Victory Lap, in February, which earned recognition at the Grammys.
This is so painful! @NipseyHussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King 👑 pic.twitter.com/hE2MNibbZ7
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) April 1, 2019
As well as figures from the music industry, several big names from US sport paid tribute to the rapper.
Basketball star LeBron James tweeted: “So so SAD man!! DAMN man this hurt”, while NFL star Colin Kaepernick tweeted: “This is so painful! @NiinetspseyHussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King.”
He also shared a video of a young Hussle in which he said he wanted to invest his earnings to “take care of my people”.