Remembering Nipsey Hussle

On March 31st 2019, the world lost a legend Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed in front of his Marathon clothing store located in Slauson , California. Born Ermias Davidson Asghedom he grew up in Slauson, California and made it his mission to better his community and invest in it.

He released his first mix-tape in 2005 titled Slauson Boy Volume 1 in 2008 he signed with cinematic music group and epic records and released two more mix-tapes. His sound was often categorized as G-funk, and conscious rap. He was often compared to Snoop Dogg due to his stature and demeanor.

Sometime in 2010 , he was released from his deal with cinematic music group and epic records due to issues surrounding the release of his debut album being postponed. This inspired Nipsey to sell 1,000 copies of his 8th mix-tape entitled Crenshaw for $100 making him the first artist to do so, this gave him a profit of $100,000 , he used that money to launch his own record label titled All Money in records.

In a short 2013 documentary on YouTube Nipsey explained how he hoped to inspire young and upcoming artists to do the same and to not be boxed in by these record labels also to have creative control of their music. His first major project was released through his label in December 2010 entitled The Marathon.

Aside from his music Nipsey was an accomplished businessman his ventures spawned from his marathon clothing store, the marathon agency which is a marketing and talent company and his proud 2 pay campaign that helped distribute his music. With all the great strides he has made within the business and music lane he will be remembered mostly for his genuine heart and his philanthropy work within his own community.

Before the world knew who Nipsey Hussle was he was always a firm believer in investing and evolving early interviews show him speaking about buying property and black ownership over flashy purchases such as cars and jewelry. Just last year the artist opened up a STEM work space for children in the neighborhood who were interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The center was named Vector 90 he hoped the center would bridge the gap between the inner city and Silicon valley.

He also wanted the center to give kids the opportunities he didn't have growing up in California. He wanted to break the stigma that minority children had to be an athlete or an entertainer to become a success. He was also apart of a group which created Destination Crenshaw which is a museum that honors artistic achievements by African American artist

Aside from his center, Nipsey was always doing good deeds for his community fixing old playgrounds & basketball courts , purchasing shoes for students, providing shelter and jobs for the homeless, paying for funerals for families who couldn't afford it. He launched his own clothing store The Marathon in 2017 which was apart of a strip mall in his old community there were rumored plans for a renovation of the strip mall which would include low-income housing.

Last Sunday he was doing his last good deed at his store picking up clothes for a friend who was just released from jail when he was tragically gunned down. His movement went beyond music he wanted to make a mark on the world for the better and he did just that, there will never be another like him in our time he will be greatly missed Rest In Power Nipsey.

Let's keep his family and children in our prayers.