NEED TO KNOW
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Nipsey Hussle had a daughter, Emani, and a son, Kross
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He shared Emani with Tanisha Foster and Kross with Lauren London
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Hussle was murdered on March 31, 2019
Nipsey Hussle’s two kids — Emani and Kross — were his biggest source of pride.
The “Grinding All My Life” rapper (who was born Ermias Joseph Asghedom) first became a dad in November 2008 when ex-girlfriend Tanisha Foster gave birth to his daughter Emani. Hussle and girlfriend Lauren London later welcomed son Kross in August 2016.
Hussle was murdered on March 31, 2019, when Emani was 10 and Kross was 2 years old. In November 2023, PEOPLE reported that the two children were named the sole beneficiaries of his $11 million estate, with each to receive a 50% share.
Ahead of his death, Hussle said that raising Emani and Kross was his greatest honor.
“In hindsight, you know, that’s probably the best thing I did was have kids,” he told Stephen Curry in a 2018 episode of his series 5 Minutes from Home. “I’m proud of my accomplishments in music but to know that I’m shaping humans … I’m like, dang, I got a real prime opportunity to mold some people.”
Here’s everything to know about Nipsey Hussle’s two kids, Emani and Kross, and how they’re carrying on his legacy.
Emani Dior Asghedom
Amanda Edwards/Getty
Nipsey Hussle’s daughter Emani Asghedom during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Emani Dior Asghedom was born to Hussle and Foster in November 2008.
Hussle explained the reasoning for her unique moniker in a resurfaced Youtube video. “My daughter’s name is Emani Dior, and her name means beautiful faith in Swahili,” he said.
By the time she was a toddler, Emani was already showing an interest in music. “She’s singing now … and she’s 4,” Hussle said in the clip.
As she got older, Hussle began a ritual with Emani to teach her about the things he valued most in life.
“When I take her to school, we have a little convo … before she gets outta the car,” he told Curry in 5 Minutes from Home. “Like, ‘What is integrity?’ ‘Integrity’s doing the right thing when nobody’s looking.’ ‘Are you a leader or a follower? ‘I’m a leader. ‘What’s the difference?’ ‘Think for myself. ‘Do you have confidence? ‘Yes.’ ‘What’s confidence?’ ‘Believe in myself.’ “
“That’s our script every morning,” he continued. “It [seems] basic, but I want her to get older and look back on the things that I thought were important … She’s not gonna forget, ’That’s what my dad thought was really important.’ ”
Emani made her red carpet debut alongside her father at the 2019 Grammy Awards, telling the Recording Academy, “He is a cool dad.”
Nipsey Hussle/Instagram
Nipsey Hussle with his daughter Emani Dior Asghedom in February 2019.
Just a few months after her father’s death, Emani graduated elementary school in June 2019. In a since-deleted Instagram video posted by Foster, Emani paid tribute to both of her parents, per E! News.
“I want to begin by sharing my thankfulness for my mom for believing in me, and my dad, for always being there for me,” she said, according to the outlet.
In January 2020, Emani was among several of Hussle’s family members who accepted a posthumous Grammy for Best Rap Performance on the rapper’s behalf. Emani also honored her father on what would have been his 37th birthday on Aug. 15, 2022, when he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Following Hussle’s murder, his sister, Samantha Smith — who lived with Hussle and Emani for several years — filed paperwork in April 2019 to become her niece’s legal guardian to “ensure [her] continued stability.”
After a lengthy legal process, The Blast reported in March 2025 that a judge awarded joint physical and legal custody of Emani to Foster and Hussle’s brother, Samiel Smith.
Kross Ermeias Asghedom
Nipsey Hussle/Instagram
Nipsey Hussle’s son Kross Ermeias Asghedom poses for a photo in August 2021.
Kross Ermeias Asghedom was born to Hussle and London on Aug. 31, 2016.
Hussle and London announced his arrival on Instagram with a sweet photo of Kross holding London’s hand.
“And then came You. Last week I gave birth to a beautiful healthy happy baby boy,” London wrote, adding, “Blessed.”
Though Kross was born just two years before Hussle died, he soaked up what he could from his dad.
“He’s picking it up just by osmosis, just by watching,” Hussle told Curry in his 5 Minutes from Home episode.
After his father’s death, Kross took the stage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Hussle’s April 11, 2019, memorial service, at one point taking the mic and murmuring into it.
Kross also stole hearts in June 2019 when he joined his mom and big sister Emani onstage to accept a BET Humanitarian Award on behalf of his late father.
Three years later, Kross was there to celebrate the addition of Hussle’s star to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Dawit Asghedom, Kross Ermias Asghedom, Margaret Boutte, Samantha Smith and Emani Asghedom at the star ceremony where Nipsey Hussle is being posthumously honored on August 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
In September 2024, Kross made his on-screen debut, starring in a commercial for LEGO alongside London, Pusha T and baseball star Mookie Betts, whose children also appeared in the spot.
London shared a clip of the spot to her Instagram, writing, “Kross, you are a giant. Your ideas are massive. Powerful enough to launch yourself into a YOUniverse.”
In June 2025, rapper Lil Wayne paid tribute to Kross in his album Tha Carter VI. Wayne, who shares son Kameron Carter with London, sang about his love for Hussle’s son on the song “Rari.”
“From me to Nipsey, I love Kross like I love Kameron,” he sang. “We family.”
Read the original article on People
