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Stevie Wonder calls for stricter gun laws at Nipsey memorial

PASSIONATE: Stevie Wonder

THE CITY of Los Angeles paid tribute to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle on Thursday (Apr 11) during a memorial service to mark the star’s life.

From fans to friends and family, thousands filled the Staple Center to remember the influential rapper and community leader, including Snoop Dogg and Jhene Aiko, to Anthony Hamilton and Stevie Wonder.

Wonder, who performed at the ceremony, used his tribute appearance to call for stricter gun laws as he mourned Hussle’s “unnecessary death”.

Before launching into his performance, Wonder recalled his meeting with Nipsey, who he remembered as "such a great young man."

"It is a heartbreak to again lose a member of our family... because it's so unnecessary. We, to be a civilised nation, a civilised world, are still living in a time where ego, anger, (and) jealousy is controlling our lives.

"It is so painful to know that we don't have enough people taking a position that says, 'Listen, we must have stronger gun laws'. It's unacceptable. It's almost like the world is becoming blind."

Stevie shared his hope that lawmakers would take a stand to "make it so very hard for people to have guns and to take their frustrations out to kill life (sic)," citing Nipsey's own anti-violence activism as motivation.

"I hope that we don't just talk about it, but we be about it to make a difference for our future," he added.

Wonder went on to perform his song Rocket Love and a cover of Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven.

In addition to his poignant tribute, Nipsey’s relatives and girlfriend Lauren London gave touching speeches to the “majestic soul.”

"We lost an incredible soul," Lauren said. "We lost somebody very rare to us. We lost a real one, and we won't ever be the same... But he's in all of us..."

Turning her attention to her late love, she added, "Grief is the final act of love. My heart hears you, I feel you everywhere... and until we meet again, The Marathon (his mission) continues."

The memorial was followed by a 25-mile procession past the rapper’s Marathon Clothing store to his childhood home in Crenshaw.

TRAGIC

During the funeral procession, a shooting took place which left one man dead and three injured.

The news was confirmed by Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Moore, who said the victims included three black men and a black woman, aged between 30 and 50 years old.

"Tragically one is deceased," he tweeted, and gave no further information on the person killed.

"We must stop this senseless violence," he added.

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