John Legend, DJ Khaled and YG gave an emotional tribute performance for late rapper Nipsey Hussle at the BET Awards on Sunday night.
The Racks In The Middle hitmaker - who was shot to death at the age of 33 outside his store in South Los Angeles in March - was also posthumously honored with the Humanitarian Award at the star-studded event.
Rapper T.I. proudly presented the award, recognizing his music and community activism, to his family and girlfriend Lauren London.
John Legend and DJ Khaled teamed up for an emotional tribute performance for late rapper Nipsey Hussle at the BET Awards on Sunday night
Honored: Rapper Nipsey Hussle - who died at the age of 33 in March - posthumously received the Humanitarian Award at the star-studded event; he s pictured in February 2019
English singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius kicked off the passionate medley tribute with a shortened rendition of Real Big.
'If you Nipesy Hussle let me hear you say yea, yea,' she belted out as the camera cut to his family singing every line of the song off Hussle's Victory lap album.
After a spirited performance she ended with a simple and sweet, 'Forever.'
Spirited: English singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius kicked off the passionate medley tribute with a shortened rendition of Real Big
Funky: The tempo stepped up when YG burst out on to the stage to do Last Time I Checc'd
The tempo stepped up when YG burst out on to the stage to do Last Time I Checc'd, also from Hussle’s Grammy-nominated album Victory Lap.
The funky beat, and give and take with his two collaborators, picked up the mood of the audience and had some dancing at their seats.
YG ended with: 'Long live Nipsey Russell, I love you bro.'
Taking it home: DJ Khaled introduced - Higher - the final song of the medley, with John Legend alongside him on the piano
Emotional: John Legend then took over with his magic voice and magic touch on the piano keys, with the help of a choir that sung background vocals
DJ Khaled looked straight into the camera as he introduced - Higher - the final song of the medley, with John Legend right behind him on the piano.
'The miracle continues - long live Nipey Hussle,' Khaled began. 'Everybody put your hands in the sky like this,' he asked the audience as he and Legend lifted their left arms toward the ceiling of the Microsoft Theater.
'King Nip, King Nip - the miracle continues,' he yelled out.
John Legend then took over with his magic voice and magic touch on the piano keys.
A choir quickly joined in to sing background vocals, which set up a recording of Hussle's rapping a verse with his image on a large-screen monitor in the backdrop.
'Can you feel it. We be going higher,' Legend sang. 'Long live Nipsey Hussle, the miracle continues.'
Passionate: Legend showed why he is one of the top pop musicians of his genre and era
Unity: Khaled and Legend collaborated with Hussle on the recorded version of Higher
Nod to their friend: 'Can you feel it. We be going higher,' Legend sang. 'Long live Nipsey Hussle, the miracle continues'
Hussle - who was also nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist - was first honored with the Humanitarian Award.
It was presented by rapper T.I. and accepted by his family and girlfriend Lauren London.
'Everything has been said about my grandson that could be said. I was so amazed that how much love was out in the world for him that you uplifted me,' Hussle's grandmother began in their seven-plus minute acceptance speech.
'I accepted his life as God said to me Nipsey you've done your job, you've left your mark. I'm welcoming him into heaven so you can rest. And I love him with all
