Nipsey Hussle
gigatos | June 7, 2022
Summary
Airmiess Joseph Asghedom, better known as Nipsey Hussle (and often stylized as Nipsey Hu$$le) (Los Angeles, August 15, 1985 – Los Angeles, March 31, 2019), was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist.
Born and raised in the Crenshaw district of South Los Angeles, he was a member of the local Rollin” 60s Neighborhood Crips gang, a subgroup of the Crips. He released several mixtapes, most notably Crenshaw (2013) achieved rapid and notable success, attracting praise from several artists, including E-40 and Jay-Z.
In 2018 his debut album Victory Lap debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the best hip hop album category. He died on March 31, 2019 after being shot outside his store in Los Angeles, not far from the neighborhood where he was born and raised.
In 2012, Hussle was rumored to be signed to Rick Ross”s Maybach Music Group (MMG) label. Nipsey made an appearance on rapper YG”s single “B * tches Is not Sh * t,” which samples Dr. Dre”s classic song of the same name and also features Young Money rapper Tyga and Snoop Dogg. The song debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at No. 100 and on the Heatseekers Songs chart at No. 11. On April 17, 2012, Hussle released a collaborative album with fellow rapper Blanco, titled Raw. The album includes appearances by YG, Mistah FAB, Yukmouth, B-Legit, Kokane and Freeway. In May 2012, he released a single “Proud of That,” which features guest vocals by Rick Ross. He also participated in MMG”s song “Fountain of Youth,” which appears on the label”s second album Self Made Vol. 2. The music video was released on October 1, 2012. In December 2012, Hussle hinted more about signing with Maybach Music Group.
Hussle said he would release his third and final installment of the Marathon mixtape series with TM3: Victory Lap in 2013, after being pushed back from its initial December 2012 release date. He also announced that he was planning to release a mixtape with a West Coast rapper and frequent YG collaborator titled Two of America”s Most Wanted in 2013. He was to perform with Dom Kennedy and Mustard. Hussle performed at the 2013 Paid Dues festival on March 30, 2013 in California. After deciding not to sign with a major label due to a lack of creative freedom, he chose to make Victory Lap his debut album.
Starting in 2013, he released several songs from Crenshaw, including the 9th Wonder-produced track “Face the World” and a track The Futuristics and 1500 or Nothin “Blessings.” On August 6, 2013, Hussle announced that Victory Lap would be released as an album rather than a mixtape. He confirmed that the track list and release date would be revealed very soon.
On September 16, 2013, Hussle announced that he would release his new mixtape Crenshaw (hosted by DJ Drama), on October 8, 2013. On September 24, 2013, he revealed the track list for Crenshaw, which contained guest appearances from Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy, Slim Thug, James Fauntleroy II, Z-Ro, Skeme, and Sade, among others. Production on the mixtape was handled by The Futuristics, 1500 o Nothin”, 9th Wonder, Mike Free, Ralo and Jiggy Hendrix, among others. He also released the documentary “Crenshaw” that day in promotion of the mixtape. On Oct. 2, 2013, Hussle released two greatest hits compilation albums on iTunes, Nip Hussle the Great Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. On October 3, 2013, he released another trailer for the mixtape, also revealing 1 000 hard copies of the mixtape would be sold for $100 each. He reportedly sold all 1 000 copies in less than 24 hours, effectively making $100,000.
After the release of Crenshaw, Hussle stated that Victory Lap would be released in 2014. On October 14, 2013, Hussle told Complex that Victory Lap”s first single would be titled “Rap Niggas” and was ready for release. On November 20, 2013, Hussle confirmed that Victory Lap features productions by Ralo, 1500 or Nothin”, The Futuristiks and Mustard. He later confirmed other producers, including Don Cannon and DJ Khalil on the album. In 2016 he released Famous Lies and Unpopular Truth. He commented on the 2016 US presidential election by releasing the single FDT with YG. On February 16, 2018, Hussle released his debut studio album Victory Lap.
An Eritrean American, Hussle was born on August 15, 1985 and grew up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Los Angeles. He was also a member of the local Rollin” 60s Neighborhood Crips, a subgroup of the Crips gang.
Hussle and actress Lauren London began dating in 2013 and welcomed their first child on August 31, 2016. London had children from a previous relationship with rapper Lil Wayne, while Hussle had a daughter from a previous relationship.
According to police sources, Hussle was shot multiple times with a gun in the parking lot of his store, Marathon Clothing in South Los Angeles at 3:25 p.m. local time on March 31, 2019. Two other people were injured in the shooting. All three victims were transported to the hospital, where Hussle was pronounced dead at age 33. A rapper named GBO Gaston claimed to have killed Nipsey Hussle on an Instagram stream before the perpetrator was arrested.
After hearing the news, some athletes, actors and musicians offered their condolences on social media to Hussle”s family members. Police have identified 20-year-old Eric Holder as a suspect. Investigators believe Holder was known to the rapper and that the shooting was likely motivated by a personal matter. On April 2, 2019, Holder was arrested by members of the Los Angeles Police Department.
He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. His brother, Samuel Asghedom was appointed permanent administrator of the Hussle estate.
A petition was started to rename the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard near Hussle”s Marathon clothing store to “Nipsey Hussle Square.” On the day of his funeral, the council announced that it would be renamed Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom Square to honor him and his contributions to the neighborhood.
Hussle”s memorial service was held April 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with tickets given away for free. A letter was read from former President Barack Obama praising the rapper for his work in the community. “While most people look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential,” Obama wrote.
The 25.5-mile (41.0 km) long funeral procession traveled through the streets of South LA, including Watts, where he spent some of his formative years. Watts Towers was a gathering place along the route for mourners. The crowds that lined the roads, sometimes creating traffic jams as they encroached on the streets, demonstrated the impact he had on this community.
Hussle”s longtime friend and collaborator, YG, dedicated his performance at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music Festival to the memory of Nipsey Hussle.
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Singles
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