The late Nipsey Hussle posthumously received the Humanitarian Award at the 19th annual BET Awards on Sunday night.
Nipsey Hussle’s mother, Angelique Smith, his father, Dawit Asghedom, his sister, Samantha Smith, his longtime girlfriend, actress Lauren London, his daughter, Emani Asghedom, his son, Kross Asghedom, and his grandmother were in attendance to receive the award on behalf of Hussle.
Atlanta rapper T.I. presented the award to the “Victory Lap” rapper’s family. Nipsey Hussle’s grandmother spoke first. “Everything has been said about my grandson that could be said. I was so amazed at how much love was out in the world for him, that you uplifted me. I accepted his life as God said to me, ‘Nipsey, you’ve done your job. You’ve left your mark. I’m welcoming you into heaven, so you can rest.’ And I love him with all of my heart and soul. Thank you so much world for loving him too,” his grandmother said.
Lauren London then stepped up to the microphone with gratitude. “I just want to thank you guys for all of the love and support. And the marathon continues, again,” London said. Nipsey Hussle’s mother then gave a speech, referring back to the day that Hussle was fatally shot.
“I am a queen mother, and I represent African people. And I just want to know why they didn’t show me at the crime scene. My conversation went something like this to the officer,’ what happened.’ ‘Someone was shot.’ ‘Who?’ ‘Nipsey Hussle.’ My spirit said, ‘Oh. Oh, that’s it. That’s why. I was finished processing my son’s assassination,” Smith said.
Smith then continued to recount her experience talking with the police officers who were at the scene where Nipsey Hussle was killed. She also talked about how when Hussle was murdered she was more so spiritually present than physically present. “Thank you for your prayers and for your love. We appreciate it,” Smith said before letting Hussle’s father take the mic.
“I wish my son was here to get the award. Thank you, BET for recognizing. We appreciate all of the fans, and especially BET. He wanted to be here so badly. Last year, he made it to perform here. We were so happy for him,” Nipsey Hussle’s father said. “The marathon continues,” he concluded.
Just as much as Nipsey Hussle was known as a Los Angeles rapper who was beginning to make his mark in hip-hop, the rapper was also known for investing in the neighborhood of South Los Angeles where he grew up. Hussle often employed marginalized people from the community to work at his apparel store, and he also would give back to children in need in Los Angeles with things such as school supplies. The day before Nipsey Hussle dropped his debut album, Victory Lap, he cut the ribbon on a co-working space and STEM center that he opened up in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. That’s only a small fraction of the examples of ways that the rapper gave back to his community.
Watch the clip above, and check out photos in the gallery below.
