Published Apr 11, 2019 at 1:53 PM | Updated at 7:28 PM EDT on Apr 11, 2019
More than 21,000 people gathered Thursday morning in downtown Los Angeles to remember Grammy-nominated rapper and philanthropist Nipsey Hussle.
The 33-year-old was fatally shot outside the clothing store he owned in South Los Angeles on March 31.
Nipsey, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, used the store to empower his South Central neighborhood.
"While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and only see gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope,…" friend and business partner Karen Civil said as she read from a letter penned by former President Barack Obama.
Nipsey was scheduled to speak with the Los Angeles Police Department the day after he was killed about ways he could help stop gun violence.
On Thursday, friends, family, fans and big-name celebrities flocked to Staples Center for a "Celebration of Life."
Tickets for the memorial were distributed online ahead of time and were gone within minutes.
Actress and Nipsey's longtime girlfriend Lauren London and rapper Snoop Dogg were among those who spoke at the three-hour service.
Take a look below at the memorial in photos.
