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J. Cole, Big Sean Pay Tribute to Nipsey Hussle at Dreamville Festival
Nipsey Hussle was on everyone’s mind at Dreamville Festival.
The Crenshaw legend, who was killed one week ago in Los Angeles, was honored by his peers during Saturday’s inaugural festival at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
During his set, Big Sean delivered a heartfelt freestyle about the 33-year-old rapper. “Was fucked up what happened to Nipsey / The shit is sickening,” rapped the Detroit MC over piano keys. “Texting each other like we gon’ get up soon / Tell me how the fuck I feel now knowing we didn’t / And taught me next time I think we got all the time in the world / Shit just know really it isn’t / You died the same age as Jesus / Both God’s children.”
He also dedicated the moment to “Nipsey Hussle the Great.” “I wanna talk to Nipsey too because even though I know we just lost him, I also know that the body is a shell and I can still feel his energy. I can still feel his consciousness.”
Added Sean, “Nipsey, I just wanna say bro, thank you for teaching everybody so much. Thank you for the inspiration.”
.@BigSean paid tribute to Nipsey Hussle yesterday at Dreamville Fest. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mSehYBQS1n
— Def Jam Recordings (@defjam) April 7, 2019
J. Cole capped off the evening with his own touching tribute. While performing his 2014 Forest Hills Drive cut “Love Yourz,” footage of Nipsey was shown on the giant screen behind him as fans held up their cell phones. “Rest in peace, Nipsey Hussle. You a fuckin’ legend,” said Cole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XGyFFrag7k
Earlier in the evening, 21 Savage also acknowledged Nipsey during his set and Teyana Taylor dedicated “Gonna Love Me” to Nipsey and his girlfriend Lauren London. “I wanna dedicate this next song to some close friends of mine,” she said. “I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and the heartache. Lauren, I love you so much. I wanna dedicate this song to you and Nip.”
Saturday’s Dreamville Festival also featured performances from SZA, 6LACK, Nelly, and Davido, as well as Dreamville’s own Bas, J.I.D, Cozz, EarthGang, Ari Lennox, Omen, and Lute.