On Thursday (April 11), over 21,000 people gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to celebrate the life and legacy of Nipsey Hussle.

During the memorial service, a selection of the people closest to the rapper and community leader spoke, including Karen Civil. While taking to the podium, the media entrepreneur shared a letter that was penned by none other than the former President of the United States, Barack Obama.

The open letter spoke to how Obama’s introduction to Nipsey’s community work and music came through his daughters, as well as offers a touching tribute to someone who decided to give back to the neighborhood that made him.

“I’d never met Nipsey Hussle, but I’d heard some of his music through my daughters, and after his passing, I had the chance to learn more about his transformation and his community work,” Obama writes. “While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential.”

The 44th president continued, “He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going. His choice to invest in that community rather than ignore it — to build a skills training center and a coworking space in Crenshaw; to lift up the Eritrean-American community; to set an example for young people to follow — is a legacy worth of celebration. I hope his memory inspires more good work in Crenshaw and communities like it.”

Obama then concluded the letter by sending his sympathies to “Lauren, Emani, Kross, and the entire Asghedom family and to all those who loved Nipsey.”

The memorial service featured a photo montage of the rapper’s life, as well as included musical performances by Jhené Aiko, Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony Hamilton and Stevie Wonder.

In the 2016 song, “Ocean Views,” Nipsey rapped about his death, as well as manifested the legendary musician performing at his memorial service, making today’s events a true full circle moment.

Take a look at Barack Obama’s tribute to Nipsey Hussle below.