A major mural dedicated to the late Nipsey Hussle was degraded last night in South Los Angeles – then degraded again after a local artist tried to fix it.
The Nipsey Hussle mural is located near the bustling intersection of Slauson and Crenshaw in the heart of South Los Angeles – right next to where the rapper was killed in 2019. At this point, it’s unclear why the mural has been degraded, at least at least an arrest has been made according to the Los Angeles Police Department. In addition, the LAPD towed a suspicious vehicle parked near the scene of the crime.
Nipsey, real name Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was gunned down outside this Marathon clothing store on March 31, 2019. His killer, Eric Holder, remains in jail but has refused to testify in court or reveal information about the murder.
The mural itself has actually been degraded twice. After the first vandalization was repaired by a local artist, the mural was quickly degraded again. It is likely that the same person was responsible for both vandalizations, although there is currently little information on the suspect.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a mural by Nipsey Hussle has come under attack. Just recently, a woman from Hartford, Connecticut brazenly degraded a Hussle memorial, though it’s not clear whether the vandalization was related to issues with the murdered rapper. The mural was quickly restored by community artists.
Back in Los Angeles, the degradation could be gang-related, and the specific markings on Nipsey Hussle’s face suggest a targeted message of disrespect.
Separately, a mural featuring both Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant sparked controversy in the nearby Los Angeles neighborhood of Downey. The reasons for the complaints are unclear, although Downey officials have clarified that there are no plans to remove the artwork. “There are no plans to have the mural removed,” a Downey official said, while confirming that several complaints had been made about the memorial.
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