US rapper dead after being gunned down outside of store

US rapper Nipsey Hussle has died after being shot out the front of his clothing store in Los Angeles.

The Grammy-nominated rapper, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, was reportedly one of three men who were gunned down outside of Marathon Clothing, NBC News said.

It is believed the two other victims are in a serious condition.

Hussle was reportedly shot multiple times before being transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The suspected shooter is allegedly still at large, with TMZ reporting the attack was gang related.

Local police are allegedly looking for a black male in his 20s in relation to the shooting.

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The suspect reportedly approached Hussle and the two men he was with before firing multiple shots.

It is then believed the then shooter got into a waiting nearby vehicle with a female driver and sped off.

Just hours before the shooting the 33-year-old rapper posted a cryptic message on his Twitter.

“Having strong enemies is a blessing,” the tweet read.
 

Having strong enemies is a blessing.

— THA GREAT (@NipseyHussle) March 31, 2019

It is believed Hussle had ties to the Crips, one of LA’s largest street gangs.

During his 10-year career he has released multiple mixtapes and was nominated for a Grammy for his first studio album Victory Lap.

Signed to Atlantic Records, he performed at the Warner Music party in Los Angeles during Grammy Week.

Hussle released his first mixtape Slauson Boy Volume 1 in 2005 and followed with two more, Bullets Ain’t Got No Name volumes 1 and 2, in 2008. He signed with Epic Records that year, although an album he reportedly completed for the label South Central State of Mind was never released and he left the label in 2010.
 

In the following years he collaborated with Drake on the song Killer as well as Snoop Dogg on the song Upside Down.

He continued to release mixtapes over the years, collaborating with Rick Ross, YG, DJ Mustard and many others. In 2016 he released a song with YG about the presidential election called FDT.

He signed with Atlantic the following year and released Victory Lap earlier in 2018.

He has a child with actress Lauren London and the pair appeared in a GQ magazine profile last month.

Tributes have been flowing in for the rapper, with fans and friends sharing their shock at the devastating news.

Thoughts and prayers for @NipseyHussle https://t.co/z00gcByHmE

— 50cent (@50cent) March 31, 2019

?? @NipseyHussle‼️‼️‼️‼️

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 31, 2019

This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! ???
I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle pic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a

— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019