Following the tragic shooting of Nipsey Hussle, a wave of grief and tributes poured out across social media. However, alongside the sorrow, a series of conspiracy theories also emerged online, linking the rapper’s death to a controversial figure named Dr. Sebi. This article delves into these theories, exploring the connection between Nipsey Hussle and Dr. Sebi, and separating fact from speculation.
Nipsey Hussle, a celebrated 33-year-old rapper, was fatally shot outside his clothing store in Los Angeles. While police arrested 29-year-old Eric Holder in connection with the crime, many online users began to speculate about deeper, more sinister motives behind Hussle’s death. These theories quickly converged around Alfredo Bowman, known as Dr. Sebi, a self-proclaimed healer who passed away in 2016.
Unpacking the Dr. Sebi Conspiracy Theories
YouTube videos and social media posts rapidly spread, suggesting that Nipsey Hussle was targeted and murdered due to his interest in creating a documentary about Dr. Sebi. These unfounded claims attribute Hussle’s death to a supposed conspiracy involving government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, or the shadowy Illuminati – a popular subject in conspiracy circles, believed to secretly control global events.
These videos, readily found on platforms like YouTube, have garnered millions of views. Conspiracy theorists allege that these powerful groups wanted to silence Hussle to suppress Dr. Sebi’s purported “cures” and prevent the documentary from exposing hidden truths. Despite the lack of any credible evidence, these theories gained traction online, fueled by speculation and misinformation. YouTube has stated that while these videos contain controversial beliefs, they do not violate their community guidelines unless they incite violence, promote hate speech, or are scams.
The online discussions even linked Dr. Sebi to the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC, who died in a car crash in Honduras in 2002 after reportedly visiting him. Adding to the intrigue, Nipsey Hussle’s final tweet, posted on the day of his death, stating “Having strong enemies is a blessing,” further fanned the flames of conspiracy theories.
Who was Dr. Sebi?
Alfredo Bowman, known as Dr. Sebi, was a Honduran herbalist who claimed to have developed natural cures for various diseases. Despite lacking medical credentials or formal medical training, Dr. Sebi attracted a celebrity clientele, reportedly including Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, John Travolta, and Michael Jackson.
Dr. Sebi asserted he had discovered an “African Bio-Mineral Balance” approach capable of curing diseases like arthritis, asthma, cancer, AIDS, and diabetes. He promoted his herbal remedies through advertisements and his USHA Research Institute. However, these claims were never scientifically validated.
In 1987, the New York Attorney General’s office intervened, leading to an agreement preventing Dr. Sebi’s institute from making therapeutic claims about his products. Shirley Stark, Assistant Attorney General, testified in a 1993 congressional hearing, denouncing Dr. Sebi’s claims as “false” and “unsubstantiated.” Despite facing charges for practicing medicine without a license, Dr. Sebi was acquitted when a jury found insufficient evidence that he made medical diagnoses or prescribed medications. Dr. Sebi died in 2016 at the age of 82 from pneumonia while in police custody in Honduras for money laundering.
The Connection Between Nipsey Hussle and Dr. Sebi
Nipsey Hussle publicly expressed belief in Dr. Sebi’s claims. In his song “Blue Laces 2,” released in 2018, Hussle rapped, “They killed Dr. Sebi, he was teaching health.” This lyric highlights Hussle’s conviction that Dr. Sebi’s death was not natural and linked to his health teachings.
Furthermore, Nipsey Hussle was reportedly working on a documentary exploring Dr. Sebi’s 1980s trial. Following Hussle’s death, actor Nick Cannon announced his intention to complete the documentary project. Cannon shared videos of Dr. Sebi on Instagram, further amplifying the conspiracy theories and generating millions of views.
The Reality of Nipsey Hussle’s Death
The factual account of Nipsey Hussle’s death is far removed from the conspiracy theories. Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot outside his clothing store on March 31, 2019. Two other individuals sustained injuries in the shooting.
Law enforcement swiftly apprehended Eric Holder as the suspect. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage reportedly show Holder firing multiple shots at Hussle before fleeing the scene. The Los Angeles Police Department has appealed for any additional information related to the case to aid their investigation.
While conspiracy theories offer a dramatic and often sensational narrative, they lack factual basis and detract from the real tragedy of Nipsey Hussle’s death. The available evidence points to a more straightforward, albeit still devastating, act of violence. It is crucial to rely on verified information from credible sources and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims that can further inflict pain on those grieving and distort the truth.
