Grammy-nominated US rapper Nipsey Hussle shot dead; Rihanna, Snoop Dogg pay tribute

Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot dead in Los Angeles on Sunday. 

Several celebrities took to their social media profiles to express shock and grief at what the city mayor called "senseless gun violence." LA Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted, "Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy."

According to reports, the 33-year-old singer was shot in front of his own clothing store at close range by a man who fled in a getaway car.

A police spokesman told AFP that the suspected shooter remained at large. Two other people were wounded.

Among many who expressed their disbelief on the incident, Snoop Dogg wrote: "Gone 2 soon. "I'm so sad right now I'll just reflect on the good times we had."

Rihanna posted that "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."

Hussle started at the underground rap circuit. He found fame by selling his own mixtapes, which rap king Jay-Z once bought 100 of for $100 each. He gained a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album for this year’s ceremony for album ‘Victory Lap’. He lost to Cardi B.