*In December 1964, calls were coming in to the Los Angeles police department – “Is it true? Is Sam Cooke dead!?”
Reportedly, the calls were coming in from across America and overseas before the predominantly white LAPD even realized who, and how important the victim of their latest homicide was!
It was Sam Cooke – just another “negro” as we were called then – who was murdered at a sleazy South-Central motel on Figueroa Avenue.
Cooke, a singer extraordinaire, had become a continental singing sensation – even outselling his RCA Records labelmate Elvis Presley, but still largely invisible as a black man.
I remember the crowds gathering in protest at the crime scene and singing some of Cooke’s songs like “Bring It On Home To Me,” “Havin’ A Party” and “Good Times.”
His legacy is that he broke down barriers doing a lot for black and white artists (singer Cher can attest to that); and supporting the civil rights movement. We were sad and upset because we had lost a hero; and even worse, he was shot by a black woman.
Fast forward to 2019 (nearly 55 years later): Nipsey Hussle whose name caught my attention – but who was invisible to me (and others in my generation) – was also murdered; he was murdered by a black man.
I learned he was a star rapper/producer/entrepreneur who rose from the entrapment of the street gang life to become a Grammy nominee in the music industry. I admittedly was unaware of the impact he was making on the Hyde Park community from which he came as he reached back to help make things better.
I knew nothing about the positive impact he was having on his generation around the world.
ACTIVISTS TO PROTEST ARREST OF MAN SHOT WITH NIPSEY HUSSLE FOR ASSOCIATING WITH THE RAPPER
Hussle’s slow funeral procession from his memorial service at downtown L.A.’s Staples Center was widely covered by the media, and yes there were some reports of ill-intent, but overall, the crowd of diverse ethnicities came out to the sidelines to give honor and respect to one who they knew had made an effort, and put his money (fortune) where his mouth was to try and make a positive difference.
I felt compelled to write this article as an opportunity to show my ignorance about what’s happening around me today in the rap/hip-hop realm that I am not getting and appreciating; and to show the new generation that they too should recognize and appreciate what we went through generations before.
It’s not about “that was then, but this is today.” No, it’s the same thing! I’m not into astrology and such, but look at the aforementioned number 55 (double nickels as one weather caster likes to say), it was in ‘55 when Emmett Till was killed. And speaking of numbers, both Hussle and Cooke were the same age, 33, when they died.
It’s just a coincidence, but let that sink into your head as a reminder – don’t be frivolous; take this precious thing called life seriously! It may be later than you think! When will this senseless violence end!!??
One of my favorite songs by Sam Cooke is “A Change Is Gonna Come.” What’s your favorite song/mixtape by Nipsey Hussle? I want to learn more about his music and what it means to you. Please post your comments!
Larry Buford is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand,” and “Book To The Future” (Amazon and Barnes & Noble). E-mail: [email protected]
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