Nipsey Hussle’s Sister Launches Legal Battle for Rapper’s Eldest Child

Friends and family attend the burial of late Rapper Nipsey Hussle at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 12, 2019. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

A family member of the late American rapper, Nipsey Hussle, launched a legal bid for guardianship of the deceased’s daughter.

Samantha Smith, sister of the deceased rapper also known as Ermias Asghedom, recently filed for legal guardianship of Emani Asghedom, 10, at Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Smith is arguing that the child’s biological mother is incapable of caring for the child, a task she has assisted in throughout Emani’s life, sources told TMZ.

“[Smith wants] to ensure the continued stability for Emani and ensure that she will be able to maintain her current and ongoing relationship [with Nipsey’s family],” the document said, according to TMZ.

“I got Emani, I got Kross, I got Sam, he is my responsibility now,” Smith said in an Instagram post dated April 2.

TMZ reported that Nipsey had cared for Emani before he was gunned to death on March 31 outside his Marathon Clothing store in Park Mesa Heights, 10 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. Another 2-year-old child of Nipsey’s named Kross lives with his mother, Lauren London.

“On March 31, 2019 around 3:20 p.m. three male adults were standing in front of a business in a strip mall in the 3400 block of West Slauson Blvd,” the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a tweet dated April 1. “The suspect walked up to the men and fired numerous shots at them. The victims were struck and fell to the ground.”

As previously reported, the suspect fled to a white 2016 Chevrolet Cruze that was waiting in a nearby alley. He was driven away from the scene.

“The vehicle was driven by an unidentified female,” LAPD wrote. “Two victims were transported to local hospitals and one refused medical treatment at the scene. One victim, Ermias Asghedom, known as Nipsey Hussle died as a result of the gunshot wounds he sustained.”

Police identified the suspect as Los Angeles resident Eric Holder, 29, who has since been arrested. Holder has been charged with killing Hussle and has pleaded not guilty. Police believe Holder and Hussle had several interactions on the day of the shooting due to a personal dispute.

“Eric Holder, the suspected killer of Nipsey Hussle, has been arrested and is in police custody,” LAPD said in a Twitter post dated April 2. “Thank you to both our community for the heightened awareness/vigilance, and our partners at Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department headquarters.”

Hussle made sure Emani and Kross would not have to rely on other people for money, according to TMZ Sports. The publication said the rapper was known to be business-savvy and owned the copyright on all his master recordings, as well as a clothing store, and several trust funds so that his family would never have to be dependent on others for their financial security.

The family has even refused help from retired National Football League star Reggie Bush, who set up a GoFundMe page to raise $100,000 for Emani and Kross.

“[Hussle] touched a lot of lives in a positive way. He wanted to make a difference in his community, and communities like it all around the world,” Bush said on his GoFundMe page, which has since been removed. “As a tribute to Nipsey, I would like to offer support to his children, and all funds from this GoFundMe will be transferred directly into a trust that was created solely for his legacy, his two children, Kross and Emani,” he tweeted, according to TMZ.

Patriots wideout Phillip Dorsett donated $1,000 to the campaign just an hour after it was announced. Bush had also donated $10,000 himself but the campaign was taken down well before its original deadline of April 19.

The family explained that Hussle would not want to accept money from other people as his family was already financially secure and it was simply not necessary.