Nipsey Hussle- The Marathon Continues (10 years later and still running)
Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedon born in Crenshaw, California had hopes and dreams. Before his untimely death on March 31, 2019; He (Hussle) build his own brand, business, and even owned property to sell his product to his community he loved. He always remained in California throughout the rest of his life leaving behind a wife and two kids, Nipsey also left a legacy to look up. Long before the store and The Marathon brand came the campaign. This campaign was special because of how it influenced young people to get out and get there own. On the song, “Buy Back The Block Remix” in 2017, Nipsey Hussle talked about the investments he made on the track like purchasing Fat Burger and buying a strip mall to sell and advertise his products. Nip had hopes and dreams of putting the rap game back into the business form that it was once for. There are certain rappers who do great at advertising especially independent artist like Curren$y, Starlito, and Griselda Record’s, but Nipsey Hussle once sold 1000 copies of his mixtape called “Crenshaw” in 2013. His reason being is because he wanted to rebel against the industry citing that they are in creative control which means the industry chooses what you do, you do not.
The first time I ever heard Nipsey Hussle was on 2Pac’s last studio album, “Pac’s Life” (2006) in which you hear a young kid from Slauson hungry and wanting to get his taste in superstardom. Before then, he dropped his 2005 debut mixtape, “Slauson Boy” which is a mixtape dedicated to those who grew up in his neighborhood. Nip was bought by Epic Records and he was prepping for his debut, “South Central State Of Mind” in which spawned singles like “Feeling myself” Feat. R&b sensation, Lloyd. In between times, he released his Bullets Ain’t Got No Name series which had an underground hit, “Hussle In The House” (2009) with the Kriss Kross “Jump” (1993) sample which gave us a feel for the Westcoast and the new breed that is running the game. The album gave him enough attention in the Westcoast. In 2010, he left Epic Records due to creative differences and build his own label, All Money In. All Money In is a group of people who do not believe in spending money on unnecessary things like jewelry but the message of the group was about saving money and investing. That is rare in this day and age because in the 2010’s on up, people partied more and end up going broke.
What made Nip so special is that he was very meticulous out of everyone in his rookie class of 2010. That class included Freddie Gibbs, J.Cole, and Big Sean where during an interview with MTV News (2010), Nipsey talks about a book that is one of my personal favorites called “Power VS Force” by David Hawkins where he recites a passage where the way we think defines how our conscious reacts. He was very smart and I heard bits and pieces but 2014’s “Mailbox Money” hosted by DJ Drama was a mixtape that made me a fan because the way he presented the CD was the same way he released Crenshaw with attention and sales pitch.
Before his death, he thought of expanding his name with music already recorded and ready to go. He had plans to end the beef between the Blood’s and Crip’s and most importantly, he build STEM which is a learning center for children that involves Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics. He had so much planned out but only had 33 years of life which means things go unanswered like whether we will have another mixtape or album selling for $100. Nobody could emulate what he has done for the business and on November 1, 2011; Nipsey drops the sequel to his Marathon mixtape called “The Marathon Continues”. Like I said, I did not download Nip’s music until I head Mailbox Money but I had to go back and listen to see what each track symbolizes.
- Road To Riches-The intro is telling us that there is no finish line when it comes to getting rich. This song was special because in the song, he brings up how kids walk up to him and tell him that his music helped them get through school. This is monumental because if kids tell you that your music helped them get through school, there must be something special about what you are doing.
- Who Detached Us Feat. Steve Jobs- Nipsey Hussle brought CEO Steve Jobs on his song to help inspire those who are caught in dark places. The beat sounds like a live band. My favorite line is “I think that too much t.v ruin kids/ when homosexual activist they influences”. Nipsey Hussle is explaining that kids look up to the wrong people who influence them. For example, those who look up to these rappers wearing skirts and popping pills are making it look cool so kids can emulate what they did. He is saying there needs to be more positive influence’s in this world
- Run A Lap- Nipsey Hussle saying this is a Marathon, he running laps until he reaches his financial goals. He raps about his independence away from the majors and mainstream and remains to his underground roots.
- Thas Wat Hoes Do Feat. Y.G & Rimpau- This song about young woman and how they are brainwashed by social media and t.v emulating who they look up to and Nipsey Hussle is delivering an old school I forgive you for what you did. This song also has a young Y.G meaning that they had chemistry since their first collaboration. Rimpau was an independent artist from his same area so you know Nip stays close with his California people.
- Everythang- This is Nip proving that The Marathon Continues because he is rapping his heart out. Everythang is a song that pinpoints all the subject’s all in one song like that money is his motivation for what he is doing. Favorite Line, “ I made an ultimatum/ Get Rich or Go to The Police Station” which means Nip’s Marathon is going to get him rich.
- Fly Crippin Feat. Colby Supreme- Nipsey steal’s Lil Wayne’s Bill Gates instrumental and makes a song about the Crips. He also brags about the beginning of the Marathon and what it means.
- I Need That Feat. Dom Kennedy- This song reminds me of something you have road rage to. Nip made this song a ride song and I can tell because I can see the road to riches behind the wheel while driving. He said he needed his coffee laptop and notes which means he is in business forever. He brags about independence stating he makes $10,000 a show and a record label do not own him.
- Forever On Some Fly Shit- Nipsey Hussle remains fly with the business moves he makes. Even the ones he made back then made him on some fly shit. Forever On Some Fly Shit shows growth in a young Nip where he talks about the road to riches.
- Tommy Gunz Feat. Young Broadee- This song is classy and it makes me think about the lavish things in life. Tommy Gunz is a celebration song for those who getting money, working, or bringing in income. This song is important to me because of the line where Nip said “All them niggas ain’t your bro and all the phones is tapped” which means you shouldn’t trust everything you see and hear.
- They Know- This is motivation for those Nipsey fans because there are words that stick to the topic, The Marathon Continues. The road to riches is hard to build but he is rapping about patience. Nipsey even said spend cash to get mo which means he invest his time and money wisely.
- Rose Clique- A song named after a champagne which means he is rapping about his victory on the Marathon. Nipsey Hussle is counting his blessings and looking back at his past learning how he came up in the game.
- 10 Toes- Nip is counting his blessings rapping about how happy he is to be alive.
- The Mansion- This is my favorite song of the CD because of the beat and how fast tempo this is. This is Nip in his prime because he was spitting his heart out encouraging those young and old to chase their dreams. The Mansion is a song people will remember Nip by because of the message he delivers in this song. You can tell he had his life planned out listening to this song. Favorite Line “ I don’t hate y’all, I only love us” which is not being conceited but showing loyalty to those who came up with you.
- Outro- The ending to the mixtape where Nip raps about how the Marathon Continues. He raps about chasing his dreams and the never ending hustle of the Marathon. In the song he raps, “When I drop an album, they will be proud to pay” where Nip knew his future. He dropped a $100 CD and he succeeded it. This outro is special because he raps about the struggles, rewards, and gains he got from music encouraging everyone to chase their dreams and follow their instinct.
Overall
Nipsey had something to prove and with him dropping The Marathon series, you can see where his dream starts. For those fans who only liked him because he died or made Victory Lap, do your research before you start hopping on the bandwagon because Nipsey was the Westcoast Master P. where he started his own independent label along with a campaign with a huge following. Those who knew Nip’s vision from the start knew his purpose and that was to spread the word about investing and how to save money.
Nipsey Hussle is more important out of all the other rappers in the past 10 years because of what he wanted for the rap game and his vision was clear to his fans and blurry to those who did not understand him. To those who loved Nip and rode with him from the beginning, he always had plans on making his own business and he knew he wanted to be successful but also give hope to the youth and adults who want to make it out. The success of Nipsey Hussle will never be emulated and he was honestly ahead of his time because of his creative structure and marketing schemes. He never relied on majors to do work for him because he knew what he wanted and Nipsey Hussle proved that The Marathon Continues.
Live From The Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
