In the weeks following the tragic death of Nipsey Hussle, his absence is continuously being felt across the world from both those closest to him and new fans just now getting hip to his music and legacy.

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ashanti explains how she is still in “disbelief” regarding the rapper, entrepreneur and business leader’s passing.

“I’m still little bit in disbelief,” Ashanti said on Monday (April 15). “Going to the funeral, I think it shocked me a little bit and it became a reality, seeing the casket on the stage. It was like everyone stood back like, ‘This really happened,’ and it just shows you that life is so short and so precious.”

She continued, “He’s such an amazing person and an amazing spirit and he’s done so much. He had so much more that he was doing.”

The R&B star also noted how Nipsey’s impact transcends beyond the hip hop community, with even those who were just now learning of his story feeling a grave loss.

“It’s so weird, I got a text from one of my friends, and she didn’t know him personally at all, and she’s like, ‘My heart is hurting,’” she added. “You didn’t have to know him personally. He touched people without you knowing the person.”

Elsewhere during the interview, Ashanti reflected on what it was like recording at his studio, even when she was feeling under the weather.

“Nip was always helpful. It’s funny because I was looking at some of the last texts that we had, and I was recording at his studio and was like, ‘Nip, I don’t think I’m gong to make it tonight. I have allergies, I’m sneezing, I got a headache,’” she said. “He was like, ‘Oh I got these herbs that are really good for you! I know where you can get some good stuff!’ And he was sending me links and like, ‘Sis, I got you, you gotta try this.’ And it just made me sad because he was such an amazing spirit. His heart was pure and he was always willing to help and always really positive.”

Ashanti, who is currently promoting her new musical drama Stuck, also explained what lessons the late rapper taught her will stick with her the most.

“One of his messages that was so powerful as an artist [was] owning your masters,” she explained. “Knowing about ownership. Thinking outside the box. Not holding onto these contracts and signing things that you know nothing about. Trying to make it on your own. Having your own platform, your own voice. Just thinking outside the box and trying to come up with other ways to be an entrepreneur.”

Take a look at Ashanti reflecting on Nipsey Hussle’s legacy in full here.