Obama, Snoop Dogg and Stevie Wonder were among those paying tribute to Nipsey Hussle

During Nipsey’s Hussle’s Los Angeles funeral service Thursday, Snoop Dogg remembered the first time Nipsey “pushed up on me with a tape,” trying to get the world-famous Long Beach rapper to listen to his music.Nipsey told him, “Just give it a listen,” which struck Snoop as odd. Most rappers trying to catch Snoop’s ear talk about making money, but Nipsey didn’t want a handout. He was ready to earn everything he got, Snoop said.Nipsey was more a movement than a musicianSnoop didn’t listen to Nipsey’s tape that first time, but the second time he got one of Nip’s CDs, he used it to roll a blunt in the back of a car. He put in the CD, he said, and his first impression was, “Damn, cuz hard.”

Snoop said the two shared a kinship. They repped Los Angeles. They’re both tall, lanky, wear braids and claim their street gang affiliation, but what Snoop said he will remember most is Nipsey’s “kind spirit” and how he served as a “peace advocate,” making music with rival gang members and showing love to everyone no matter the colors they flew.”This man got a letter from Barack Obama, man,” Snoop said before turning to the sprawling wall of flowers forming the backdrop to Nipsey’s coffin and saluting.Karen Civil, Nipsey’s longtime friend and marketing strategist, read the letter from Obama, whose daughters introduced him to Nipsey’s music. The president thanked the rapper — who was slain last month — for lifting up his South Central Los Angeles community.”He set an example for young people to follow and is a legacy worthy to follow,” Civil said, reading Obama’s words.