Thousands line the streets of L.A. to pay their respects to rapper Nipsey Hussle

Rapper Nipsey Hussle was remembered Thursday in Los Angeles, with thousands of fans attending his public memorial service at the Staples Center and lining the streets for a 25.5-mile funeral procession.

The 33-year-old rapper and community activist, born Ermias Asghedom, was shot and killed March 31 while standing outside his store, Marathon Clothing, in South Los Angeles. At the memorial, Snoop Dogg spoke and Stevie Wonder performed, and everyone in attendance received a program that included messages from Kendrick Lamar, Issa Rae, and Ava Duvernay.

Former President Barack Obama sent a letter addressed to Hussle's family and friends, praising the rapper for his work in the community. "While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential," Obama wrote. "He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going."

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After the three-hour memorial, the funeral procession started, with thousands watching his hearse pass by, taking photos and holding flowers and signs. The procession included a stop at Hussle's clothing store, and will end in Inglewood.