L.A veteran Nipsey Hussle was remembered Thursday on what would have been his 34th birthday. He was gunned down March 31 in Los Angeles near a clothing store he owned.
Nipsey Hussle brought a new flavor to the rap game. A Los Angeles, Calfornia native who grew up in Crenshaw. He emerged from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid-2000s and first became famous for his mixtapes and Grammy nominated debut album 'Victory Lap' but Nipsey Hussle was more than just a rapper and songwriter from Crenshaw, South Los Angeles. He was known for his deep devotion to his roots, giving back in many ways to the neighborhood of his youth.
Nipsey worked to give educational opportunities to young people in Crenshaw and founded many art projects and charity events. His legacy is viewed as more than just music but as a movement.
He was an inspiration to many and continues to be after his untimely and tragic death.
Some Facts You Didn’t Know about Nipsey Hussle
1. Jay-Z Bought 100 Copies of One of His Tapes
The eighth official mixtape that Nipsey Hussle released was Crenshaw. This was available for free online, but he also monetized it for those who wished to support his music. Jay-Z ended up buying 100 copies of the tape – giving Hussle a $10,000 boost for his music. Crenshaw came out in October 2013.
2. He Was an Artist for Haiti
The Artists for Haiti were a supergroup that formed in the wake of the Haiti earthquake in 2010 in order to raise money and awareness for the people of Haiti. They recorded a song called “We Are the World 25 For Haiti” that was a remake of the 1985 Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie song “We Are the World”. Nipsey Hussle performed in the rap section alongside Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes.
3. He Starred in a Movie
Nipsey Hussle’s talents extend to the screen, as well. In the 2010 movie Caged Animal, he took on the role of Ricky – the son of a crime kingpin named Cain. He had come to jail on charges of accessory to murder. Plus, the guy he tried to kill was put into prison at the same time. This leads Cain to try to help the two get over their differences and see that they have more in common than they might suspect.
4. He Used to Be in a Gang
This rapper spent a considerable amount of time in a gang. He joined the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, a black street gang that is based in Los Angeles. According to Nipsey himself, he left home at the young age of 14 and joined as a way to support himself. He also needed the money in order to start up his studio – but he got out of the gang life after he hit it big as a rapper.
5. Hussle was the father of two children, a son, Kross, with actress Lauren London, and his daughter Emani from a prior relationship.
Lauren London honors Nipsey Hussle in birthday tribute
Lauren London is honoring Nipsey Hussle on what would have been the late rapper’s 34th birthday.