Late-rapper Nipsey Hussle will be honored at the upcoming 2019 BET Awards. The Compton-based rapper, who was gunned down earlier this year in Los Angeles, was known for his efforts in the community and as a result, will be the recipient of the Humanitarian Award.
The award honors Nipsey’s “philanthropic efforts, activism, and overall commitment to empowering his community.”
“As a prolific artist and leader, Nipsey Hussle was zealous about driving change for the betterment of his community, empowering and employing those in need and being an influential and highly respected leader. His passing was a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry and to the culture. We will continue to remember his advocacy and be inspired by the groundwork he set forth and his dire commitment to social change,” said Connie Orlando, Executive Vice-President, Head of Programming at BET, via Complex.
“We are forever grateful, humbled and honored to have experienced his presence and we are invested in doing our part to ensure that the marathon will indeed continue. It is an immense honor for us to recognize him with this year’s Humanitarian Award.”
The 2019 BET Awards will air live at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 23. The awards, hosted by Regina Hall, will air live on BET, BET HER, MTV, MTV 2, MTV Classic, VH1, and Logo.
Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on Sunday, March 31 outside of his clothing store — Marathon Clothing — in Los Angeles, California. The rapper was 33 years old. Hussle was recently nominated for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards for his debut studio album “Victory Lap.” Initially, reports claimed that the murder in broad daylight was a result of gang violence, but it was later revealed that it stemmed from a personal issue between Nipsey and the shooter, Eric Holder, who is now in police custody and charged with murder.
BET Awards 2019: Nipsey Hussle to Be Honored with Humanitarian Award
