Nu OriginsBET will be broadcasting the homegoing service for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle.
The network will air the “A Celebration of Life” service which is scheduled to begin Thursday at 10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will also be broadcast on live online and its Facebook page. The proceedings will be shown commercial free.
TODAY is #NipseyHussle’s Celebration of Life. Join us for the commercial-free broadcast on BET and live-stream on https://t.co/G5HCwBL5Gj and https://t.co/weR1jDkwBC at 1 PM EST/10 AM PDT! #BETRemembersNipsey 🏁 pic.twitter.com/rxYHM6CWcb
— BET (@BET) April 11, 2019
Tidal announced on Wednesday that it will also stream the memorial to all, including non-subscribers, on its music streaming site. Their coverage will begin at 10 a.m. PT.
The 21,000-seat Staples Center, which was also the venue for Michael Jackson’s funeral in 2009, will be filled to capacity as complimentary tickets sold out within 30 minutes of being made available earlier in the week with a limit to four per household. Doors were expected to open at 8 a.m. and attendees will be subject to a metal detector screening, visual inspection and bag inspection.
The family is allowing fans to bring cameras and recording devices to the memorial which was organized by the family. His mother, Angelique Smith, offered words of encouragement to his fans and supporters. She appeared on video to thank everyone for the outpouring of affection but asked fans not to mourn. The spiritually based Smith said she had viewed his body and that he looked at peace, beginning his life in the spirit world.
Nipsey Hussle's mother speaks 💪🏾strong woman
Posted by Jai Yew on Tuesday, April 9, 2019
“When you walk this earth and you do good deeds for people, and you are loving and kind, those are the things that will show on your face. You will look more beautiful,” Smith said. “Ermias looked healthy, he looked cleaned, he had a glow, he was radiant. And he was so perfect he had a sweet aroma […] he even smelled good.”
Smith said her son’s spirit was everywhere.
“I have strength, and I want to lift you up,” Smith said. “Because Nipsey is great. And now he’s even greater because he has no bounds and no limits. His energy is everywhere. He’s there with you now and he’s here with me now. And please be encouraged.”
Nipsey, born Ermias Asghedom, was shot six times and killed on March 31 outside his clothing store in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. Nipsey was 33. Two others were also injured in the attack but survived.
Eric Holder, a man Nipsey knew, approach the rapper and community activist and opened fire. Holder pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder and two counts of attempted murder. The 29-year-old was also charged at his arraignment with possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being represented by Chris Harden.
