Report: Nipsey Hussle Investigated for Gang Ties Before His Death

Nipsey Hussle has been dubbed a hero by his family, friends and even members of the Los Angeles Police Department. However, it appears that members of the LAPD may have been investigating the rapper over his gang connections.

According to a report The New York Times published last night (July 15), the LAPD and the city attorney's office had opened an investigation into the Grammy award nominee prior to his death, and it's still ongoing. The LAPD has reportedly been looking into Hussle's property, like his clothing store The Marathon, and his business associates in an effort to prove the strip mall Hussle owned on the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue was a magnet for gang activity.

Hussle's gang ties were no secret since he was open about them in his music. However, the rapper was reportedly working with city officials to help reduce gang violence, and even employed a few former gang members to help turn their lives around. Despite his deep connections to the community outside of music, the LAPD has been looking into Hussle's surrounding businesses -- a cell phone store and a barbershop -- to determine if the rapper's strip mall is legit.

Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed outside of his clothing store, The Marathon, on March 31. The 29-year-old suspect, Eric Holder, was arrested after being accused of gunning down the rapper. Holder was indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges back in May including first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

XXL has reached out to Nipsey's camp for comment.

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