SHOWIN' RESPECTFox 11 LA
5:40 PM PT -- The procession is finally approaching Marathon Clothing -- at the intersection of Slauson and Crenshaw -- and the crowd is THICK. Thousands of fans are lining the streets leading up to the store ... where even more people have gathered. PAYIN' RESPECTFOX
Several Nation of Islam security guards are surrounding the hearse as it slowly rolls through the crowds. The Eritrean flag is draped on the roof, repping for Nip's heritage -- his father emigrated from the east African nation.
2:10 PM PT -- The memorial just wrapped after some rousing tributes from Snoop Dogg and YG ... followed by Stevie Wonder -- who performed "Rocket Love" and "Tears in Heaven."
The funeral procession is about to begin ... with the route looping through South L.A., and ending at the Angelus Funeral Home.
12:45 PM PT -- Lauren started her tribute to Nipsey by reading a text message she sent to him back in January, while she watched him sleep. In part, she said, "I want you to know I feel real joy in my heart when I'm around you. I feel safe around you. Protected. Like a shield over me when you're around."
THE MARATHON CONTINUES
She ended the text with ... "My truth is this. I'm never going to give up on you. My love and devotion is to you."
Lauren also talked about how Nipsey cared for his children and made sure his family left home each day with the right energy. She said, "My pain is for my 2-year-old who probably won't remember how much his dad loved him."
She shared something Nipsey always said to her ... "You can't possess people, that you experience them. I'm so honored and blessed that I got to experience him."
Then she closed her tribute with an incredibly moving message for all of Los Angeles you MUST see -- and a personal note to her love ... "Until we meet again ... the Marathon continues!"
Minutes after the funeral ended, Lauren showed off her new tattoo -- a tribute to Nip, with a caption, "Real Love Never Dies."
12:35 PM PT -- Nipsey's mom and dad just got onstage ... where his mom shared one of the final text message exchanges she had with her son. She also spoke of what a great man he was and how he was such a light in his community.
REMEMBERING NIPSEY
11:54 AM -- Lauren was onstage just moments ago with her and Nipsey's kids. Lauren's son, Kameron, shared a dream he had about Nipsey rising out of the ocean before leading the crowd to chant "respect." The family then gave way for Jhene Aiko to come onstage and sing.
11:07 AM PT -- The Celebration is now underway.
Nipsey Hussle's Celebration of Life is about to begin at Staples Center, and TMZ is live streaming what's expected to be a very emotional memorial service.
The slain Crenshaw rapper is being honored with a spectacular service in downtown L.A., where 21,000 people will turn out to pay their respects. So far Jay Z, Beyonce, G-Eazy, Big Sean, Big Boy, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook and Meek Mill have arrived for the event.
The silver hearse carrying Nipsey's body arrived outside the arena early Thursday ahead of the ceremony.
As you know, the free tickets to his memorial were hard to come by this week, as they were gobbled up within minutes after they were made available to Cali residents. It's also a heavily guarded affair, with a mix of muscle from LAPD and Nation of Islam, as well as Staples Center personnel. 
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