Downtown, Los Angeles—Eric Holder Jr. has finally been sentenced for the 2019 murder of Los Angeles rapper and businessman Nipsey Hussle (born Ermias Asghedom).
Holder, who is also a member of the Rolling 60’s Crips, was ironically sentenced by a Judge Feb. 22 to 60 years .
Mar. 31 will mark four years since Nipsey was killed. However, his death is seemingly suspended in time, feeling like only yesterday that we lost an important and influential figure in Black Los Angeles.
The absence of Nipsey Hussle continues to leave a huge void for marginalized Black men in the inner city of Los Angeles, as well as in the lives of those who loved him most.
The shopping center on Slauson and Crenshaw Slauson has remained closed and fenced off since Nipsey was killed, with wooden boards placed over the windows after the property was vandalized in 2021.
While the METRO train is finally up and running through the Crenshaw District, all business at the once thriving shopping center where Nipsey, his brother, and their partners owned several businesses, has been shut down at the property.
Nipsey Hussle’s family have opened a new Marathon Clothing store on La Brea and Melrose, where they have hosted several events, including the most recent celebration for the 5-year anniversary of Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap.
Nipsey Hussle’s brother Blacc Sam (Samiel Asghedom) and their family have continued to run laps, releasing new products and merchandise through The Marathon Clothing x Puma endorsement deal Nipsey signed prior to his murder.
All of the Puma x Marathon Clothing campaigns include close friends of Nipsey, as well as his partner, Lauren London.
In an interview last year with The Guardian, Blacc Sam shared plans for the Slauson and Crenshaw property, which is to transform the lot into a community center where local youth can get free music lessons.
In an 2019 interview with Forbes, it was revealed Nipsey Hussle and his business partners had successfully purchased the shopping center on Slauson and Crenshaw.
Their plans were to build apartment buildings and keep their retail space below. The deal was historic because of the incoming METRO line and Black men being able to benefit from opportunity zones as former inner city youth.
Those who are from Los Angeles and South Central, know that harassment from police is something Nipsey Hussle always talked about and had to deal with frequently.
This would lead to a contentious battle with the City of Los Angeles, who were pressuring the previous owners to evict Nipsey, while attempting to designate the property as a public nuisance.
Read More: Inside Nipsey Hussle’s Blueprint To Become A Real Estate Mogul
In the end, Nipsey and his team would end up owning a prime piece of L.A real estate, when the owners decided instead to sell them the property.
No amount of time could ever heal the damage that has been done with the loss of Nipsey Hussle, and the continued attacks waged upon the economic progress and vitality of Black men and Black communities.
Luckily, Nipsey Hussle’s family have taken the baton and are keeping the marathon going strong.
The new site, (whenever the family is ready) will be a powerful incubator helping to inspire and cultivate a new generation of musical talent in Los Angeles.
“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.”
