Grammy nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle shot dead in Los Angeles, aged 33
Rihanna, Drake and Ice Cube have led tributes to acclaimed US rapper Nipsey Hussle after he was gunned down in Los Angeles.
The Grammy Award-nominated musician, 33, was shot along with two other people outside a clothing shop he owned in the city's south on Sunday afternoon.
Shortly before, a tweet was posted on his official account that read: "Having strong enemies is a blessing."
News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from shocked stars from the world of music and sport, who hailed Hussle's talent and community work.
Expressing her disbelief on Twitter, Rihanna said: "My spirit is shaken by this! 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 nipseyhussle"
Fellow West Coast hip-hop star Ice Cube tweeted: "Sad, mad and disappointed about my guy NipseyHussle," while rapper Asap Rocky tweeted: "This man was on the right path and doing better in life."
This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! 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 @nipseyhusslepic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019
Drake posted an image of Hussle on Instagram with the caption: "My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this... You were having the best run."
The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, said Hussle's death was an "awful tragedy".
"L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence," he tweeted.
RIP Nipsey. I just spent Thursday with him filming a video for a beautiful new song we created with Khaled. We filmed in Inglewood, close to where he grew up. He was so gifted, so proud of his home, so invested in his community. Utterly stunned that he's gone so soon.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 1, 2019
The Los Angeles Police Department said they were hunting for a black male suspect in connection with the shooting.
The force said it was called to the scene in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard at 3.30pm.
"Three victims were transported to a local hospital where one was pronounced deceased," it said on Twitter.
Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Davidson Asghedom, had been a figure in the West Coast hip-hop scene for more than a decade.
He released a number of mixtapes before his debut album, Victory Lap, in February, which earned recognition at the Grammys.
As well as figures from the music industry, several big names from US sport paid tribute to the rapper.
Basketball star LeBron James tweeted: "So so SAD man!! DAMN man this hurt", while NFL star Colin Kaepernick tweeted: "This is so painful! NiinetspseyHussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King."
He also shared a video of a young Hussle in which he said he wanted to invest his earnings to "take care of my people".
