Nipsey Hussle murder brings Tupac like heartbreak

(FOX 11) - Fans of rapper Nipsey Hussle had a friend in Power 106 this week. The murder of Hussle had hosts in as much sorrow and disbelief as listeners. Cece Valencia told Fox 11 News "We haven't felt this much pain since Tupac."

Valencia took her morning show duties on 'The Cruz Show' to the street where Hussle was killed on Sunday. "Why. Why Nipsey?" she said to FOX 11 News reporter Gigi Graciette, also on assignment.

Valencia went live on the popular L.A. hip hop radio station from outside Hussle's Marathon Clothing Store on Crenshaw as fans gathered. "He's done so much for the community." Hussle owned the property and was recognized for his entrepreneurship by Forbes Magazine. "He gave a lot of people jobs" said Valencia.

Hussle was an artist on the rise from LA's Hyde Park area on Crenshaw. He had been a guest on Power 106. The radio station was with him as he went from selling mix tapes to a 2019 Grammy nomination. Hussle's real name is Ermias Ashgedom.

A suspect is in custody. The LAPD says Eric Holder is a 29-year-old who knew Hussle and had been affiliated with the same gang. He's accused in the murder of Hussle and shooting two others who were there.　

In the 1990's music fans were left devastated by two murders in the rap word. California artist Tupac Shakur was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. Several months later, Brooklyn rapper Notorious B.I.G. was shot outside L.A.'s Peterson Auto Museum on Wilshire and Fairfax. He died at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Both killings remain unsolved.

Funeral services for Hussle are in the works. According to TMZ, the family is looking for a venue so that fans can attend. They're looking for a venue that can hold up to 15-thousand people.

Possibilities would be the Forum in Inglewood or the Staples Center. Valencia says "The legacy of Nipsey will live on."