Ermias Joseph Asghedom (bornAirmiess Joseph Asghedom; August 15, 1985 – March 31, 2019), known professionally asNipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, activist and entrepreneur. Emerging from theWest Coast hip-hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle self-released his debutmixtape,Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success, leading him to sign withCinematic Music Group andEpic Records.
Outside of music, Hussle inaugurated the Marathon Clothing store, which he founded along with partners Carless, the head of the agency,Karen Civil, and his brother Samiel Asghedom in 2017, and started aco-working environment which he named "Vector 90". On March 31, 2019, Hussle was fatally shot outside his store inSouth Central Los Angeles.[2] Eric Holder, a 29-year-old man who confronted Hussle earlier that day, was arrested and charged with murder two days later.[3] Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder on July 6, 2022.[4] On February 22, 2023, Holder was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison.[5]
Airmiess Joseph Asghedom[6][7] was born on August 15, 1985, and raised in theCrenshaw District ofSouth Central Los Angeles[8] by his mother Angelique Smith (née Boutte), an African-American, and Dawit Asghedom, an Eritrean who came to Los Angeles in the 1970s.[9][10][11] He was raised with his brother Samiel,[11] also known as Blacc Sam, and his sister Samantha.[12] Asghedom attendedAlexander Hamilton High School in the nearbyCastle Heights neighborhood, and dropped out before graduating.[13]
At age 14, Asghedom left home and joined the localRollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips, a sub-group of the largerCrips gang primarily based in his home neighborhood of Crenshaw.[14][15] In 2002, at the age of 17, Hussle joined Buttervision, a creative multimediaDigital Guerrilla movement led by Dexter Browne where he was part of theBV Boys Sampler,Beats & Babes Vol. 1 DVD, andShades of Butter Vol. 1 DVD. During that time, he completed the recording for his debut mixtapeSlauson Boy Volume 1, and adopted hisstage name "Nipsey Hussle".[16]
His stage name, a play on the name of comedian and game show panelistNipsey Russell, originated as a nickname given to Asghedom by a childhood acquaintance who respected his work ethic.[17] In 2004, when Asghedom was 19, his father took him and his brother Samiel on a three-month trip toEritrea.[18] Asghedom credited the trip with inspiring him to become acommunity activist with an "entrepreneurial spirit".[9][19][20][14]
In December 2005, Hussle independently released his first mixtape,Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success.[21] His debut project helped to build a small regional fanbase on the West Coast, and eventually led to Hussle being signed toCinematic Music Group andEpic Records.[22][23][24][25] In 2006, he appeared as a featured performer on the final posthumous album by2Pac,Pac's Life. In 2008, Hussle released the first two installments in hisBullets Ain't Got No Name series of mixtapes, which helped to bring Hussle's music to a larger audience.[26]
Nipsey's profile continued to grow into 2009 when he collaborated withDrake on the song "Killer",[27] and also appeared, along withSnoop Dogg andProblem,[28] on the song "Upside Down",[29] from Snoop Dogg's 2009 albumMalice n Wonderland.[30] He released the third installment inBullets Ain't Got No Name, as well as his commercial debut single, "Hussle in the House". Despite the song, which samplesKris Kross' 1992 singleJump, being well received by critics, it failed to make any impact on the charts.[31]
After Epic experienced financial issues in 2010, Nipsey opted not to renew his contract and left the label.[25] Not long after going independent, Hussle appeared on the song "We Are the World 25 for Haiti",[32] and was featured byXXL Magazine as one of its "Annual Freshman Top Ten", a selection of ten up-and-coming hip-hop artists to watch.[33] XXL labeled him "Most Determined" of his class, andLA Weekly called him the "next big L.A. MC".[34][35]
Hussle was expected to release his debut album,South Central State of Mind, in October 2010. Prior to release, the album was supported by the single "Feelin' Myself" featuringLloyd. While the production was set to be handled fromJ.R. Rotem,Scott Storch, Mr. Lee,Play-N-Skillz,Terrace Martin, and 1500 or Nothin', the album was set to be featured with the guest appearances fromTrey Songz,Jay Rock, andSean Kingston. Concurrently, he announced that he planned on releasing a mixtape with fellow rapper Jay Rock, titledRed and Blue Make Green.[36] Following the release of a music video for "Feelin' Myself", the album was set for a December 21, 2010 release; however, both of these projects were eventually postponed indefinitely.[37]
2010–2013: Leaving Epic Records andThe Marathon series
After leaving Epic, Nipsey founded his own record label, All Money In Records.[35][38] On December 21, 2010, he released his firstAll Money In Records mixtape, titledThe Marathon,[39] which featured guest appearances fromKokane andMGMT.[40] On November 1, 2011, Hussle released a sequel titledThe Marathon Continues, which featured L.A. rappersYG andDom Kennedy.[41] On April 17, 2012, Hussle released a collaborative album with fellow rapper Blanco,Raw. The album featured guest appearances from YG,Mistah FAB,Yukmouth,B-Legit, Kokane andFreeway.[42]
In May 2012, Nipsey released a single titledProud of That, marking his first collaboration with Florida rapperRick Ross.[43] Nipsey was subsequently featured on Ross'Maybach Music Group's song "Fountain of Youth", which appears on the label's second albumSelf Made Vol. 2.[44] The music video was released on October 1, 2012.[45] Rumours began to circulate that Nipsey would sign with MMG, and in December 2012, Hussle himself hinted at signing, however, he also said that he was still looking for the right label.[46]
Hussle said that he would be releasing his third and final installment ofThe Marathon mixtape series withTM3: Victory Lap in 2013, after it was pushed back from its initial December 2012 release date.[47] He also announced that he was planning on releasing a joint mixtape with fellow West Coast rapper and frequent collaborator YG.[48] Hussle performed at the 2013Paid Dues festival on March 30, 2013, in California.[49] After deciding against signing to a major label, due to a lack of creative freedom, he choose to makeVictory Lap his debut album.[50]
Beginning in 2013, he released various songs from his upcoming mixtapeCrenshaw, including the9th Wonder produced track "Face the World", and aFuturistics and 1500 or Nothin'–produced track "Blessings".[51] On August 6, 2013, Hussle announced thatVictory Lap would be released as analbum, rather than a mixtape.[52][53][54] Prior to the release ofVictory Lap, Hussle announced on September 16, 2013, that he would be releasing a new mixtape,Crenshaw (hosted byDJ Drama), on October 8, 2013.[55]
On September 24, 2013, he revealed the track list forCrenshaw, which contained guest appearances from Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy,Slim Thug,James Fauntleroy II,Z-Ro,Skeme, andSade, among others. The production on the mixtape was handled by the Futuristics, 1500 or Nothin',9th Wonder, Mike Free, Ralo and Jiggy Hendrix, among others. He also released theCrenshaw documentary that day in promotion of the mixtape.[56] On October 3, 2013, he released another trailer for the mixtape, and attracted attention when he revealed 1,000 hard copies of the mixtape would be sold for $100 each.Jay-Z personally bought 100 copies.[57][58][59] He reportedly sold out all 1,000 copies in less than 24 hours, effectively making $100,000.[60]
Upon the release ofCrenshaw, Hussle said thatVictory Lap would be released in 2014.[61] On November 20, 2013, Hussle confirmed thatVictory Lap would feature production from Ralo, 1500 or Nothin', the Futuristiks and DJ Mustard.[62] He later confirmed more producers, includingDon Cannon andDJ Khalil on the album.[63] After the year went by with no new releases, Hussle released a new mixtape,Mailbox Money on New Year's Eve 2014, again releasing 1000 hard copies for $100 each.[64]
Hussle made a number of guest appearances throughout 2015 and 2016, working withJadakiss,Trae Tha Truth, andYG. In 2016, he released another mixtape, titledFamous Lies and Unpopular Truth.[65] He commented on the2016 US presidential election by releasing the single "FDT" ("FuckDonald Trump") with YG; the song was written about Hussle's positive experiences with Mexican immigrants in the United States, whom Trump had criticized.[66][67]
Hussle's nickname came from his entrepreneurial spirit. He shined shoes for $2.50 to pay for school clothes at age 11 with a goal of a hundred shoes a day.[77] Hussle sold his mixtapes out of a car trunk at a neighborhood strip mall at the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard.[78][79] After leaving Epic Records, he founded his own record label. Hussle experimented with unorthodox sales strategies by selling expensive copies of certain mixtapes even while the songs were distributed for free.[64]
Hussle's Marathon branding inspiredSteve Carless in 2013 when he founded Marathon Agency with business partnersKaren Civil and Jorge Peniche. They designed the talent-based brand to attract a diverse set of clients in all stages of their careers. In October 2016, Carless, the head of the agency, toldBillboard that Hussle had invested "like over six figures" in the Marathon Agency and described him as "kind of like our silent partner".[80]
Hussle opened the Marathon Clothing store on June 17, 2017, which he founded along with partners Carless, Civil, and his brother Samiel Asghedom.[81] Opening the store at this intersection in the Crenshaw commercial district was important to him because he wanted to invest and provide opportunities in his neighborhood ofHyde Park.[19] The store is billed as a "smart store", which bridges the gap between culture and technology by giving customers access to exclusive music and other content created by rappers through anapp created by software engineerIddris Sandu.[82][83] The year before his death, Hussle bought the small shopping center where his store was located, after partnering with the real estate investor David Gross.[84][85][77][86]
Hussle created the record label All Money In after leaving Epic Records.[87][88] He released his first major project,The Marathon, through the new label on December 21, 2010.[35] He released subsequent projects under his label, includingThe Marathon Continues (2011),Crenshaw (2013), andMailbox Money (2014). He also signed other artists, including J Stone, Pacman Da Gunman, BH, Cobby Supreme, Cuzzy Capone and Killa Twan.[89]
Hussle wanted to focus on "giving solutions and inspiration" to young black men like him.[94] He denounced gun violence through his music, influence, and community work.[95] He spoke openly about his experiences with gang culture.[96] Affiliated with the Rollin' 60s, he often performed and worked with rivalBloods-affiliated rappers to set an example.[97]
He funded improvements to neighborhood schools and spent time with students, also participating on panels about growing up in the area and the influence of gang culture.[98] Hussle started aco-working environment which he named Vector 90.[78] From his own experience, he believed that the Crenshaw area was being underserved and that young people would benefit from communal workspaces.[99] He wanted youths to be able to take classes inscience, technology, and mathematics at the center.[100]
Hussle was also intimately involved in the planning and advisory stages of theDestination Crenshaw project that will showcase the history and culture of black people in his neighborhood.[101] City Council memberMarqueece Harris-Dawson said Hussle was in the earliest conversations on the project and was an integral part of the project's branding.[102] In March 2019, Hussle had contacted officials from the LAPD to arrange a meeting with him andRoc Nation about what they could do to help preventgang violence in South Los Angeles.[103] The meeting had been scheduled to take place on April 1.
Hussle was murdered on March 31. According to Los Angeles Police CommissionerSteve Soboroff, department officials would meet with Hussle's representatives at a future date on these issues to continue the activist's work in his honor.[100]
Hussle and actressLauren London began dating in 2013. They had a son together in 2016.[104] London has a child from a previous relationship with fellow rapperLil Wayne, while Hussle had a daughter from a previous relationship.[105][106][107] He remained very involved in South Los Angeles with his businesses, charitable activities, and the homes of family and friends.[108][109] The locations for a magazine shoot were in the neighborhood.[110]
On March 31, 2019, at 3:18 p.m, Hussle was shot at least 10 times in the parking lot of his store, Marathon Clothing, in Park Mesa Heights, Los Angeles. The perpetrator also kicked Hussle in the head.[111][112][113] Two others were wounded in the shooting.[114][115]
All three victims were transported to a hospital, where Hussle was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. He was 33 years old.[116][117] Police identified then-29-year-old Eric Ronald Holder Jr. as the suspect.[118][119][120] Investigators believed Holder was known to the rapper and that the shooting was possibly motivated by a personal matter.[121][122][123][124] On April 2, 2019, Holder was arrested by theLos Angeles Police Department and was held in solitary confinement.[125]
On May 9, a grand jury indicted Holder on one count of murder, two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. After several postponements,[126][127] the trial began in mid-June 2022.[128] Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney served as the case's prosecutor, while Aaron Jansen served as head of the defense.[129][130] Holder's attorneys argued that he did not intend to kill Hussle but had acted in theheat of the moment. McKinney argued, "He thought about it and he did it. That's all premeditated means. It doesn't mean he planned it for weeks".[129] Testimony at the trial established that, immediately before Holder shot Hussle, the two men argued over a rumor that Holder hadcooperated with law enforcement in an unrelated matter.[131] On July 6, 2022, Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter relating to injuries he caused to bystanders.[132][133] On February 22, 2023, Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jack sentenced Holder to 60 years in prison.[134]
Hussle's brother, Samiel Asghedom, was appointed the permanent administrator of his estate.[135]
Memorial in front of Marathon Clothing, where Hussle was fatally shot
Upon hearing the news of his death, celebrities offered their condolences on social media.[136][137] Los Angeles mayorEric Garcetti also offered his condolences to Hussle's family.[138]
Hussle's memorial service was held on April 11 at theStaples Center in Los Angeles, with tickets provided free of charge.[139]
Former presidentBarack Obama praised the rapper for his work in the community, writing in a tribute, "While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential".[140]
The 25.5-mile (41.0 km) funeral procession toForest Lawn Memorial Park wound through the streets of South Central L.A. includingWatts, where he spent some of his formative years.[141][142] TheNation of Islam provided security along the route that was "both respectful to the community and in a way that the community respects" according toMelina Abdullah.[143] Mourners gathered at theWatts Towers along the route.[144] The crowds lining the streets demonstrated the impact he had on this community.[144][95]
Gang leaders saw how Hussle resonated with young gang members and used the opportunity to curtail violence in their own ranks. A cross-section of gangs marched together at a memorial for Hussle and later held summits between L.A. and Compton. Largely confined to black gangs, they agreed to stay away from each other's territory and attacking rival members. The peacemaking, which was a cease fire and not a truce, included hundreds of gangs similar to thetruces of 1992.[145]
A petition was started to rename the intersection ofSlauson Avenue andCrenshaw Boulevard near Hussle's store Marathon Clothing to "Nipsey Hussle Square". On the day of his funeral, the council announced it was set to be renamed "Ermias 'Nipsey Hussle' Asghedom Square" to honor him and his contributions to the neighborhood.[84] There has also been a push from the community to name the nearbyHyde Park station after him, according toMetro. A ceremony dedicating the at-gradelight rail station on theK Line to him and the Crenshaw community was held August 6, 2022.[146]
There was a strong artistic response to Nipsey Hussle's death. Within a few months, more than 50murals dedicated to the rapper were painted in Los Angeles.[147][148] One mural is in an alley near the strip mall where he was killed.[149] Hussle's store has remained closed since his death.[150]
Hussle was honored with a star in the recording category of theHollywood Walk of Fame in front ofAmoeba Music on August 15, 2022, the 37th anniversary of his birth.[151][152] Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson proclaimed the day Nipsey Hussle Day and handed the framed proclamation to Hussle's grandmother, Margaret Smith, who stood with Hussle's sister, Samantha, and his father, Dawit Asghedom.[153]
Inspired by the books that Hussle mentioned in interviews, songs and motivational messages, local chapters of the MarathonBook Club have formed.[154] The list includes self-help bestsellers, cult classics and little-known books by black authors.[155]Michelle Obama included "Hussle and Motivate" on her 2020 workout playlist.[156]
On March 6, 2020, metal bandBody Count released their seventh studio album titledCarnivore. The album features a song titled "When I'm Gone", which was written for Nipsey Hussle[158] by the band's singer and rapperIce-T. The song features a spoken introductory part in which Ice-T says of Hussle, "the outcry of love and support after his death was incredible, but it inspired me to write this song." The song also features guest vocalistAmy Lee from the bandEvanescence who is also credited by Ice-T as having co-written the song.[158]
In 2020, rapperSnoop Dogg released the tribute song "Nipsey Blue," which is dedicated to Nipsey Hussle.[159]
RapperBig Sean announced the song "Deep Reverence" in honor of Nipsey Hussle.[160] The track was released in August 2020 and features Nipsey Hussle. The music video was released in March 2021.[161][162][163]
Puma released the Marathon Clothing collection in September 2019 with 100% of net proceeds to the Neighborhood 'Nip' Foundation.[164] The AMB store opened in September 2019 on Crenshaw Boulevard. This is another clothing company founded by Hussle with Cobby Supreme who was one of his best friends and an artist.[165]
The season 2 premiere ofThe CW seriesAll American included a candlelightvigil atHyde Park with aeulogy by the character Flip Williams (played by Lahmard Tate). Tattoo artist Keenan Chapman painted amural just for the episode. The series included "Grinding All My Life" in its pilot, and series starDaniel Ezra was a fan. Characters from the series wore clothes from the Marathon store. Hussle had planned to appear in the season 1 finale but had "scheduling conflicts".[170] A documentary on Nipsey Hussle is in development atNetflix, and is set to be co-produced and directed byAva DuVernay.[171]
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