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By Daniel Friedman

Digital news editor


Slain ‘homophobic’ rapper divides social media

Nipsey Hussle's alleged homophobia on Instagram has sparked a fierce debate following his death.


The death of Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle has sparked a social media battle between those mourning his death and those who have expressed the view that he shouldn’t be honoured due to his alleged homophobia.

The US rapper, real name Ermias Asghedom, was shot dead in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The rapper was accused of homophobia in 2018 after an Instagram caption, which can be read in the screenshot below. He later defended the comment.

South African entertainment commentator Phil Mphela was among those caught up in the debate that has followed Asghedom’s death. He tweeted that in his view, while family and friends should mourn the rapper’s passing, those who believed he was “no hero” have a right to not mourn.

He later added: “I never said people should never mourn Nipsey or say good things about him, that’s YOUR narrative.

READ MORE: Grammy-nominated US rapper Nipsey Hussle shot dead

“I clearly tweeted that people should be allowed to be just as non-politically correct as Nipsey proudly said he was when he was called out for his homophobia.”

Local rapper Cassper Nyovest voiced political commentary in reaction to the US rapper’s death, his comment earning a RT by EFF leader Julius Malema.

“All these things that white people have done to us as black people yet we hate the black man the most. So much that we kill him every day for shining and chasing his dreams,” he tweeted, along with the hashtag .

The rapper’s death has divided Twitter.

Some feel he should be honoured, particularly since he was known to be active in his community and often invested in projects to help create positive change.

Others say they have a right to not mourn his passing due to his alleged homophobia. Still, others have expressed the view that the slain rapper’s controversial comments cannot be all that he is remembered for, with some feeling that it is insensitive to bring them up so soon after his death.

https://twitter.com/TheTohruAdachi/status/1112501980646113280

https://twitter.com/MixedRaceScum/status/1112538884917743616

https://twitter.com/startnowstop/status/1112618621581344768

https://twitter.com/startnowstop/status/1112619138676129798

https://twitter.com/Donjidz/status/1112594849948147713

Despite the controversy that has followed the rapper’s passing, his death has been mourned by fans as well as fellow artists such as Snoop Dogg and Rihanna.

According to local media reports, Hussle was shot in front of his own clothing store Sunday afternoon at close range, by a man who fled in a getaway car.

LA mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted: “Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy.”

A police spokesperson told AFP the suspected shooter remained at large.

“LA is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence,” Garcetti said.

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