Obama, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg pay tribute to rapper Nipsey Hussle

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter, Stevie Wonder sang, and Snoop Dogg called slain rapper Nipsey Hussle a “peace advocate” at a Los Angeles memorial on Thursday attended by family members, friends and thousands of fans.

Obama wrote a letter to the family that was read by Karen Civil, Hussle’s friend and business partner. The former president praised Hussle’s attempts to revitalize the gang-plagued neighborhood where he was raised, and where he was gunned down last month.

“While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope,” Obama’s letter said, referencing his efforts to build a skills-training center and a co-working space.

The 21,000-capacity Staples Center, a sports and pop concert venue, was packed with fans wearing white and blue for the three-hour memorial. It was followed by a 25-mile (40-km) procession through the streets of south Los Angeles.

Fellow California rapper Snoop Dogg recalled Hussle’s former connections with the notorious Crips gang that the musician later parlayed into efforts to combat gang violence.

Hussle, 33, was shot on March 31 outside a clothing store he owned in south Los Angeles. Last week, a stampede erupted at a local vigil for Hussle after reports of a gunman in the crowd.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave us a good Crip, the late great neighborhood Nip. Rest in peace,” Snoop Dogg said. He called the Grammy-nominated singer “a peace advocate” because of his work with all members of the community.

Wonder played his 1980 hit “Rocket Love” and a version of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.”

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Hussle has become “to hip hop and rap what Bob Marley was to reggae.”

“He lived the gang life but he didn’t stay there. He lived the life of the ‘hood but he rose above the pull of gravity,” Farrakhan said in a speech.

Hussle’s two year-old son, dressed in a blue suit, was brought on stage in the arms of the musician’s girlfriend, model Lauren London.

A 29-year-old man last week pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Police said Hussle’s shooting was motivated by a personal dispute, although it took place in a surge of gang-related violence in south Los Angeles in March.

Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, was Grammy-nominated earlier this year for his debut studio album “Victory Lap.”

Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by David Gregorio and Chris Reese

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Former 76ers basketball star Darryl Dawkins dies

Former National Basketball Association star Darryl Dawkins, known as "Chocolate Thunder" for his powerful dunks and flamboyant personality, died on Thursday of a heart attack, his family said. He was 58.

An explosive center whose dunks shattered two glass backboards in 1979, Dawkins got his nickname from musical great Stevie Wonder. In a 14-season NBA career he averaged 12 points, 6.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game, statistics that were dwarfed by an outsized personality.

"Darryl touched the hearts and spirits of so many with his big smile and personality, ferocious dunks, but more than anything, his huge, loving heart," the family said in a statement.

Always a fan favorite, Dawkins gave names to his dunks, such as "Dunk You Very Much," "Yo Mama," "Spine Chiller Supreme" and "In Your Face Disgrace."

Thanks to his high-flying game and his size and strength, the NBA was forced to adopt breakaway rims and impose fines and suspensions for breaking backboards during games.

In 1975, the 6-foot-11, 255-pound Dawkins became the first player taken directly from high school in the first round of the NBA draft. A year earlier, Moses Malone went to the rival American Basketball Association after being drafted out of high school by the Utah Stars.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Dawkins with the fifth overall pick and he went on to play with the team for seven seasons before moving to the New Jersey Nets for five years. He played four games for the Utah Jazz in 1987-88 before ending his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons in the 1988-89 season.

"We've lost a dear friend and an iconic figure, both on and off the court," 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil said. "We remember fondly not only his thunderous dunks, but more importantly his powerful presence and personality.

"His endearing charm, infectious smile and unparalleled sense of humor will be sorely missed. 'Chocolate Thunder' will always have a special place in our hearts."

Dawkins averaged in double figures in points nine times in his career but never lived up to his massive expectations.

Dawkins used to joke that he was an alien from the planet "Lovetron" who spent the off-season practicing "interplanetary funkmanship." After leaving the NBA in 1989, he played two seasons in Italy and then with the Harlem Globetrotters.

After several coaching stints, he retired from basketball in 2000. But he remained visible at events like the NBA's All-Star Weekend, where he served as a judge of this year's Slam Dunk contest.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Dawkins "played the game with passion, integrity and joy, never forgetting how great an influence he had on his legions of fans, young and old." (Additional reporting by Alden Bentley; Additional reporting by Steve Ginsburg; Editing by Alan Crosby and David Gregorio)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com