Three months ago, the shocking death of beloved rapper and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, rocked the Los Angeles area and hip-hop community. In the weeks following his untimely death, as millions across the country expressed an outpouring of love and grief for “Neighborhood Nip,” members of Compton’s Swamp Crips and Bloods-affiliated Campanella Park Pirus were meeting to discuss a cease-fire.
For two hours, The Los Angeles Times reports, members of the rival groups negotiated the details of the agreement, walking away with a plan to respect each other’s territory.
“A lot occurred, and we can’t heal that fast,” Lamar “Crocodile” Robinson, 46, a Swamp Crip, told the LA Times. “But it’s important for us to take the initiative and school the youngsters on what’s at stake and what they can gain.”
Hussle’s death catalyzed peace talks amongst Los Angeles-area gang leaders; the 33-year-old rapper and activist, who was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Crips, was gunned down in front of his Marathon Clothing store in Crenshaw, CA on March 31. Eric Holder, an affiliate of the Rollin’ 60s, faces several charges including murder and attempted murder; he has plead not guilty.
Though Hussle was a member of the Rollin’ 60s, he often performed with rappers, like YG, who were Bloods. Inspired by his dedication to his neighborhood and to promoting positivity, local gang members said having peace talks makes sense after losing an instrumental figure like Hussle.
According to the LA Times, a truce of this magnitude has not been achieved since the L.A. riots in 1992.
“We’re going to carry what Nipsey wanted, what he was trying to preach in his songs,” Shamond “Lil AD” Bennett, 38, of the Rollin’ 60s, said. “It don’t make no sense that you’re fighting over a block that you don’t own.”
Tragically and ironically, the “Last Time That I Checc’ed” rapper was set to meet with the Los Angeles Police Department on the Monday following his death, according to NBC News.
The peace movement among gang members has continued since Hussle’s killing, as groups have conducted large-scale meetings and weekly discussions every Thursday. Despite skepticism from some throughout the Los Angeles area, others believe they are “saving lives.”
“Anybody that’s real… and understand and been out here for a long time and lost people to death or lost somebody to jail, you tired of this,” said Laurence “Boogalue” Cartwright of Campanella Park Pirus, who was shot and paralyzed when he was 15. “Gangbanging ain’t never did nothing for none of us.”
According to the LA Times, in spite of age-old resentment and structural challenges, Cartwright and other influential gang members are hoping to continue enlisting the peace effort throughout Los Angeles.
