Stevie Wonder Calls For Stricter Gun Control Laws At Nipsey Hussle's Memorial

BYErika Marie3.5K Views
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Stevie Wonder, Nipsey Hussle Memorial

"It’s almost like the world is becoming blind..."

"Then when I die, blue rag around my rifle / Hunnid thousand in my coffin, that’s just life though / Play a Stevie Wonder song, smoke some flight, bro / Crack a pint of Actavis then pour in some Sprite, bro / Until that day I’m walking toward what’s in my sights, though.”
-Nipsey Hussle, "Ocean Views"

The Motown icon fulfilled that wish earlier today, as Stevie Wonder sang his song "Rocket Love" as well as Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" at Nipsey Hussle's memorial service. Thousands gathered at the Staples Center and lined the streets of Los Angeles to pay their respects to the rapper who was murdered nearly two weeks ago, and during the service Wonder took the opportunity to call for stronger gun control laws to make it more difficult for people to obtain firearms.

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“I had the pleasure through someone I was very close to...who arranged a meeting for myself to have a meeting with him for us to talk,” the singer said of meeting the rapper. “It is a heartbreak to again lose a member of our family. It is a heartbreak because it’s so unnecessary. We, to be a civilized nation, civilized world, we still are living in a time where ego, anger, 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...I pray that we grow; I pray that the leaders who have a responsibility to perpetuate life will do it by making sure that the laws will make it so very hard for people to have guns and to take their frustrations out.”


About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.