Nipsey Hussle will posthumously receive the 2019 BET Humanitarian Award honoring his achievements as a community activist.
An announcement last Thursday that the late rapper and entrepreneur will be honored for his work in improving his South Los Angeles community. He was a prominent community activist before his death. Nipsey was shot near his clothing store in Los Angeles on March this year.
The announcement was made by BET Executive Vice-President and Head of Programming, Connie Orlando.
“As a prolific artist and leader, Nipsey Hussle was zealous about driving change for the betterment of his community, empowering and employing those in need and being an influential and highly respected leader,” Orlando said in a statement. “His passing was a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry and to the culture. We will continue to remember his advocacy and be inspired by the groundwork he set forth and his dire commitment to social change.”
“We are forever grateful, humbled and honored to have experienced his presence and we are invested in doing our part to ensure that the marathon will indeed continue. It is an immense honor for us to recognize him with this year’s Humanitarian Award,” Orlando concluded.
Hussle was born Ermias Asghedom. He was a community leader in South Los Angeles who fought against gang violence. On March 31, he was shot and killed outside The Marathon Clothing, a clothing store he owned. Hussle was only 33 years old. His shooter, Eric Holder Jr. was charged for the late rapper’s murder.