Grammy-nominated and widely respected West Coast rapper Nipsey Hussle was killed outside his Los Angeles clothing store, Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted Sunday.
Drake, who had collaborated with Hussle, said on Instagram that he had recently met the artist for the “first time in years” and they said they would work on a new song together this year.
Police confirmed three men were shot Sunday and one of them killed outside Marathon Clothing, the store Hussle owns. All three men were taken to hospitals, where one of them was declared dead.
Police didn’t say that 33-year-old Hussle was the person who died. Representatives for the rapper didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking confirmation.
Police said the other two men were in stable condition. The gunman fled, and no arrests have been made.
Garcetti tweeted, “Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle.”
Hussle released successful mixtapes and earned a Grammy nomination for his 2018 major-label debut album.
American rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot dead near a clothing store he was associated with in Los Angeles, police said.
Two other people were injured in the shooting at 3.20 p.m. on Sunday, CNN quoted the Los Angeles Police Department as saying.
The incident occurred near a clothing store associated with the rapper, around the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard.
In a tweet, the department said it has no information about the suspect.
The rapper’s last message on Twitter read: “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
In 2010, Hussle founded the record label All Money In, which he debuted with the release of “The Marathon”, the rapper’s fifth official mixtape. His 2013 “Crenshaw” release sold more than a thousand cassettes each priced at $100, according to his Press Atlantic Records biography.
The next year, he performed across the country in his Crenshaw Tour.
Hussle teamed up with dozens of successful artists, including Kendrick Lamar Drake, YG, Ty Dolla Sign, Meek Mill and Young Thug.
After news of his death, dozens of celebrities expressed their shock and condolences on social media, CNN reported.
“My spirit is shaken by this,” pop-star Rihanna wrote on Twitter. “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.”
“Sad, mad and disappointed about my guy,” rapper Ice Cube tweeted.