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- Lauren London stars in the BET show Games People Play, and got her start in the movie ATL.
- London and the rapper Nipsey Hussle were together from 2013 until his tragic death in March 2019.
- The 2020 Grammys will pay tribute to Hussle's career as a rapper, community activist, entrepreneur, father, and partner.
“Half of me is in heaven and the other half is here to pick up and continue,” Lauren London wrote in an Instagram story in December 2019 while reflecting on her extremely difficult year.
On March 31, London's life was upended when rapper Nipsey Hussle, her partner of nearly six years, was shot and killed outside his L.A. clothing store, likely the result of an argument. “My existence shifted," London continued in the post. London and Hussle have a son, Kross, 3, together.
Only 33 at the time of his death, Hussle was a Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur, and activist, widely respected for the contributions to the L.A. neighborhood that he lived and worked in his entire life. An obituary in GQ called him the "light of Los Angeles."
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Hussle's five-year-long relationship with London was an essential part of his story. A month before he was murdered, Hussle–born Ermias Joseph Asghedom—and London were featured in a glowing GQ profile that said the couple was "redefining what a storybook romance looks like in 2019."
For proof, look no further than the text London sent Hussle two months before his death, which she read aloud at his funeral.
“I’m in bed with you while you’re sleeping and I wanted to tell you something. I want you to know I feel real joy in my heart when I’m around you. I feel safe around you. Protected. Like a shield over me when you’re around," London wrote. "I wouldn't want to go through this journey with anyone but you. You've been the greatest boyfriend to me."
The 2020 Grammys will feature a tribute to the rapper's music and career, featuring performances by John Legend, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, Kirk Franklin, Roddy Ricch, and YG. Hussle, who received his first Grammy nomination in 2019, was posthumously nominated for three more Grammys: Best Rap Song ("Racks in the Middle"), Best Rap Performance ("Racks in the Middle") and Best Rap/Sung Performance ("Higher)."
On Grammys night, all eyes will be on London, who is expected to attend the event. Here's what you need to know about London, and her relationship with Hussle.
Like Hussle, London is a Los Angeles native.
Lauren Nicole London was born in Los Angeles in 1984 to a Jewish father and a Black mother.
Being biracial wasn't easy for the actress, at first. According to an interview with Skin Deep, Lauren was "teased" by cousins on her mom's side for not being "Black enough." Then, at the predominantly white summer camps her father sent her to, she was called "that Black girl."
“If someone thinks I’m not Black enough that’s their issue," London said. "I’m okay with who I am and it is what is. I’m a Black woman like my mother, and I love who my father is, and I love both sides of me. Nobody makes a big deal about it anymore because I won’t take that anymore.”
Her first appearance was in a Pharrell music video.
In fact, 17-year-old London speaks the first words in the 2003 video for "Frontin.'" Wearing a green shirt, London casually knocks on the door and asks, "Is Pharrell here?"
She got her big break in 2006.
After junior high, London was home-schooled so she could pursue her acting ambitions. In 2006, at the age of 18, her hard work paid off: London was cast in an episode Everybody Hates Chris called "Everybody Hates Funerals."
But it was as Erin "New New" Garnett in the 2006 thriller ATL that London's acting skills were really flaunted. For proof, take a look at this clip of New New apologizing to Esquire (T.I.) for lying about her father's identity.
After her breakout performance in ATL, London was cast in the movie This Christmas (2007). From there, London has steadily appeared in a variety of movies, TV shows, and music videos for Snoop Dogg, Ne-Yo, and her boyfriend, Hussle. Notable roles include Keira Whitaker in The Game (2013-2015) and starring as Vanessa King in BET's Games People Play (2019).
In a 2019 GQ interview, London revealed that she was hand-picked by director John Singleton to appear in the show Snowfall, but instead chose to focus on raising Kross, her son with Hussle.
She was briefly engaged to Lil Wayne.
Lil Wayne has four children with four different women—including London. Their son, Cameron Carter, was born on September 9, 2009.
While London is usually mum about her private life, she opened up about her relationship with Lil Wayne in an interview with Kathleen Carter for Skin Deep.
"I met Dwayne when I was 15 years old. I’ve known him a very long time, and we were in a relationship that didn’t make it. We tried more than once to revive it, and we were engaged briefly years ago, but we eventually parted ways. My son’s father is an intelligent, loving and lovable person who will always be a dear friend. That is all," she said.
Cameron, now 10, was close with Hussle. He shared a story about seeing Hussle in a dream during the Celebration of Life for Nipsey Hussle event in April 2019.
“On the night of April 2nd, I had a dream I was in a paradise. I was in paradise and I was playing in the ocean water when Ermias popped up right behind me. He said ‘Waddup killa,’ cause that’s my nickname to him," Cameron said.
She has a child with Hussle, too.
The couple's son, Kross Ermias Asghedom, was born in 2016. On Kross's third birthday (and his first without his father), London shared photos of the toddler with the message, "Today is my warrior baby’s 3rd Birthday. You are the Light that shines in darkness. You are everything we prayed for and more."
Kross is adjusting to life without Hussle, as is London. "I have a 3-year-old that's still asking, ‘Where is Daddy?’ He doesn't understand the concept of death,” she told GQ in an oral history published in December 2019.
According to an Instagram post, Kross is part of her healing process. "I'm going to stand strong so you can always lean on me," London wrote in a caption.
Hussle has a 10-year-old daughter, Emani, from a previous relationship. Emani now lives with Hussle's family.
This video captures London and Hussle's relationship.
Along with their GQ profile, London and Hussle participated in the magazine's "Couple's Quiz" series. Hussle answered questions about London—and got 'em all right. Back when it was published, the eight-minute video was simply proof of their adorable relationship, going strong after five years. Now, it's a memorial to a truly special kind of love.
Published three days before Hussle's death, the video concludes with Hussle saying, "We'll be back." Are you crying yet?
London gave an emotional speech at Hussle's funeral.
In April 2019, thousands gathered to attend Hussle's memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. London, wearing all-white, gave a moving—and tremendously heart-breaking speech.
She opened with a long message she had texted Hussle in January 2019, written as she watched him sleep. "You and I work, we fit, and you're the coolest guy in the world to me still. I love you so much unconditionally. My truth is this, I'm never gonna give up on you. My love and my devotion is to you," a sliver of the much-longer text read.
London paid tribute to his character: "His soul was majestic. He was the strongest man that I ever knew."
She concluded her speech by speaking to Hussle directly. "Grief is the final act of love. My heart hears you. I feel you everywhere. I'm so grateful that I had you. I love you beyond this earth. And until we meet again, the marathon continues," London said, referencing Hussle's album, The Marathon, and his store, The Marathon Clothing.
London honors Hussle in her "Forever Stronger" collection with Puma.
Before his death, Hussle and Puma collaborated on a line for his clothing company. Now, it's London's turn. Created by London, the Forever Stronger campaign is a tribute to her late boyfriend's legacy.
In the video announcing the collection, London reads a poem written by Samantha Smith, Hussle's sister.
The release date for the PUMA x Lauren London “Forever Stronger” collection has yet to be announced.
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Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily.
