There's a new Nipsey Hussle mural in Oakland

Artists Timothy B and Natty Rebel pose in front of their new Nipsey Hussle mural in Oakland's Adams Point neighborhood. Artists Timothy B and Natty Rebel pose in front of their new Nipsey Hussle mural in Oakland's Adams Point neighborhood. Photo: Pendarvis Harshaw Photo: Pendarvis Harshaw Image 1 of / 58 Caption Close There's a new Nipsey Hussle mural in Oakland 1 / 58 Back to Gallery

Nipsey Hussle wasn't from Oakland, but the connection Bay Areas fans felt to the Los Angeles rapper transcends zip codes. In the wake of his recent death, many Bay Area folks, from Steph Curry to E-40, mourned his loss. To honor Hussle's memory, a new mural of the rapper has just gone up on Oakland's Grand Avenue.

READ ALSO: L.A. rapper Nipsey Hussle is dead at 33 after shooting outside his store

"I grew up to his music in college," said Timothy Bluitt Jr., the Oakland artist behind the new mural (as an artist, he goes by Timothy B). "The first mixtape that I grew to love was The Marathon — it really stood out to me. I was listening to every song back to back."

Bluitt worked alongside Natty Rebel, director of the artist collective Bay Area Mural Program, to create the mural. He also was supported by the Darryl Reed Foundation. Located on the brick wall outside of Grand Express, a black-owned liquor and grocery store on Grand and Ellita avenues just steps from Lake Merritt, the mural depicts Hussle's face backed by colorful palm trees.

READ ALSO: Connecticut tribute to rapper Nipsey Hussle marred

So, why memorialize Hussle in Oakland?

"I felt like there is a need to bridge the gap between Oakland and Los Angeles," explained Bluitt. "Being in LA doesn't mean [Hussle's] life was any different from a lot of those who came from the streets out here in Oakland. We have a similar struggle and understanding of what it takes to survive out here in America."

The mural will be officially unveiled on Friday, May 3, with a party at Grand Express from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate. Bluitt hopes that the mural's presence in Oakland will be a symbol of power, elevation, cooperation and strength for community members.

When people walk by Hussle's portrait, said Bluitt, "I want people to feel motivated to one, elevate themselves and do whatever they need to do to pursue the greatness within themselves, and two, contribute that to the community and elevate their peers."

Hussle's legacy is all about lifting up the community that raised you — beyond music, he acted as a benefactor to the black community of South Central Los Angeles, creating jobs and opportunities to build generational wealth.

"This mural is a symbol of success. Despite this tragedy, what [Hussle] stood for was power in itself," said Bluitt. "I want people to look at that mural and take on that same energy that Nipsey had when he walked this earth."