Rapper Nipsey Hussle responds to shooting outside venue in Tempe, AZ
Streetgangs.com Staff
March 6, 2012 | 9:32 p.m. PST
Last Friday gun violence erupted outside a Tempe, Arizona night club injuring 14 people where rapper Nipsey Hussle was to perform. Two of the victims are in serious condition.
“My deepest thoughts and sympathies go out to the victims and their families who were affected by the tragic event that took place last night in Arizona, and I pray for the speedy recovery for anyone involved,” Nipsey, whose real name is Ermias Ashgedon, wrote in a statement.
According to Ashgedon, he was not present at the time of the shooting, maintaining that he was in his hotel room when the gunfire erupted outside of the club.
Ashgedon has emerged as one of Los Angeles’ most popular rapper gaining notoriety from his three mixtapes Bullets Ain’t Got No Name. Last year he dropped The Marathon Continues as a free online mixtape. His long-awaited debut LP, South Central State of Mind, which was originally scheduled to be released in 2009 by Cinematic/Sony, has yet to be released.
Ashgedon wrote that “Many people will wrongfully attribute this incident to the hip-hop culture, which is purely and simply false.” Even though only one arrest was made Ashgedon continued that “the alleged shooters were not ticket holders for my performance.”
According to Tempe Police, 250 people were outside of the club when three men began arguing. The police are still searching for two other suspects.
I can’t believe them.Why do they do this like this.What do they think the resolve by k-ingg each other and maybe innocent people?I would send all of them to jail without a regret.They have to stop this.This is a prove that they are immature kids and they have no brains.
These are the times my parents warn me about growning up……”stay away from large crowds, where someone could do something and hurt others…and you are helpless.” I hope people would treasure their lives more and take better precaution. I don’t blame the victiims who are just out there wanting to attend a concert, but think….this situation doesn’t seem safe. I hope the people who did this definitely pay for their actions.
I’m so sick of people stating that (Gangsta) Rap music and street violence are not at all related to one another. Of course they’re are,…they are totally intertwined!!! The perpetrators of these crimes are not listening to Teddy Pendergrass, Thelonious Monk or Marvin ___e. They listen to what we expect them to be listening to…which amps them to keep hearing more of this crap and slowly decay their minds and souls. And the artists also have a responsibility. Their gangster lyrics are obviously not falling on deaf ears…Raise up and start spreading some love through music!