In Memoriam
Nipsey Hussle
August 15, 1985 – March 31, 2019 · aged 33
Hip-Hop · West Coast Rap
Ermias Joseph Asghedom, celebrated globally as Nipsey Hussle, was far more than a Grammy-nominated rapper; he was a brilliant entrepreneur and a fiercely dedicated community leader. Born in Los Angeles in 1985, Nipsey emerged from the gang culture of South Central LA to become a profound voice of empowerment and self-ownership in hip-hop. Remaining fiercely independent for most of his career through his 'All Money In' label, he finally released his masterful official debut studio album, 'Victory Lap,' in 2018 to widespread critical acclaim. Beyond music, Nipsey was actively reinvesting in his Crenshaw neighborhood, opening a STEM center, buying local real estate, and operating his innovative Marathon Clothing store to provide jobs and inspiration to his community. Tragically, on March 31, 2019, he was shot and killed outside that very store at the age of 33. His senseless murder devastated Los Angeles and the global hip-hop community. His mantra, 'The Marathon Continues,' remains a powerful philosophy of endurance and upliftment.
Milestones
Victory Lap, Hussle & Motivate, Racks in the Middle
Also remembered in 2019
- Ginger Baker (1939–2019)
- Juice WRLD (1998–2019)
- Keith Flint (1969–2019)
- Marie Fredriksson (1958–2019)