Career Timeline of Nipsey Hussle: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Nipsey Hussle built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known as Nipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist who rose from the West Coast hip-hop scene in the mid-2000s. He began his career by independently releasing mixtapes, including "Slauson Boy Volume 1", which garnered local recognition. This initial success led to signing with Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records, marking a pivotal point in his burgeoning career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1992: "Jump" Release

In 1992, Kris Kross released "Jump", which was later sampled in Nipsey Hussle's song "Hussle in the House" in 2009.

2002: Joining Buttervision

In 2002, at the age of 17, Nipsey Hussle joined Buttervision, a creative multimedia Digital Guerrilla movement where he was part of the BV Boys Sampler, Beats & Babes Vol. 1 DVD, and Shades of Butter Vol. 1 DVD.

2004: Trip to Eritrea

In 2004, Nipsey Hussle's father took him and his brother Samiel on a three-month trip to Eritrea. He credited the trip with inspiring him to become a community activist.

December 2005: Slauson Boy Volume 1 Mixtape Release

In December 2005, Nipsey Hussle independently released his first mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1.

2006: Featured on 2Pac's Album

In 2006, Nipsey Hussle appeared as a featured performer on the final posthumous album by 2Pac, Pac's Life.

2007: I Tried film appearance

In 2007, Nipsey Hussle played a small role in Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's semi-autobiographical film I Tried.

2008: Bullets Ain't Got No Name Mixtapes Release

In 2008, Nipsey Hussle released the first two installments in his Bullets Ain't Got No Name series of mixtapes.

2009: Collaborations and "Hussle in the House" Release

In 2009, Nipsey Hussle collaborated with Drake on the song "Killer" and appeared on Snoop Dogg's album. He also released his commercial debut single, "Hussle in the House".

October 2010: South Central State of Mind Album Announcement

In October 2010, Nipsey Hussle was expected to release his debut album, South Central State of Mind.

December 21, 2010: The Marathon Mixtape Release

On December 21, 2010, Nipsey Hussle released his first All Money In Records mixtape, titled The Marathon.

December 21, 2010: Album Postponement

On December 21, 2010, Nipsey Hussle's album release was postponed indefinitely.

2010: Departure from Epic and XXL Freshman

In 2010, Nipsey Hussle left Epic Records and was featured by XXL Magazine as one of its "Annual Freshman Top Ten".

2010: Caged Animal Film

In 2010, Nipsey Hussle starred in the film Caged Animal.

November 1, 2011: The Marathon Continues Mixtape Release

On November 1, 2011, Nipsey Hussle released a sequel mixtape titled The Marathon Continues.

2011: The Marathon Continues Release

In 2011, Nipsey Hussle released The Marathon Continues under All Money In Records.

April 17, 2012: Raw Album Release

On April 17, 2012, Nipsey Hussle released a collaborative album with fellow rapper Blanco, titled Raw.

May 2012: Collaboration with Rick Ross

In May 2012, Nipsey Hussle released a single titled Proud of That, marking his first collaboration with Rick Ross.

October 1, 2012: "Fountain of Youth" Music Video Release

On October 1, 2012, the music video for Maybach Music Group's song "Fountain of Youth", featuring Nipsey Hussle, was released.

December 2012: MMG Signing Hints

In December 2012, Nipsey Hussle hinted at signing with Maybach Music Group (MMG).

December 2012: TM3: Victory Lap Pushed Back

In December 2012, Nipsey Hussle's TM3: Victory Lap was pushed back from its initial release date.

March 30, 2013: Paid Dues Festival Performance

On March 30, 2013, Nipsey Hussle performed at the Paid Dues festival in California.

August 6, 2013: Victory Lap Announced as Album

On August 6, 2013, Nipsey Hussle announced that Victory Lap would be released as an album.

September 16, 2013: Crenshaw Mixtape Announcement

On September 16, 2013, Nipsey Hussle announced that he would be releasing a new mixtape, Crenshaw, on October 8, 2013.

September 24, 2013: Crenshaw Track List Reveal

On September 24, 2013, Nipsey Hussle revealed the track list for his Crenshaw mixtape.

October 3, 2013: Crenshaw Mixtape Release

On October 3, 2013, Nipsey Hussle released another trailer for the Crenshaw mixtape, and revealed that 1,000 hard copies would be sold for $100 each. Jay-Z bought 100 copies.

October 8, 2013: Crenshaw Mixtape Release Date

On October 8, 2013, Nipsey Hussle planned to release his Crenshaw mixtape.

November 20, 2013: Victory Lap Production Confirmation

On November 20, 2013, Nipsey Hussle confirmed the producers for his Victory Lap album.

2013: Crenshaw Release

In 2013, Nipsey Hussle released Crenshaw under All Money In Records.

2013: Marathon Agency Founding

In 2013, Nipsey Hussle's Marathon branding inspired Steve Carless to found Marathon Agency.

2014: Mailbox Money Release

In 2014, Nipsey Hussle released Mailbox Money under All Money In Records.

2014: Victory Lap Delay

In 2014, Victory Lap was delayed and Nipsey Hussle released a new mixtape, Mailbox Money on New Year's Eve.

2015: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cameo

In 2015, Nipsey Hussle was featured in a cameo in the pilot episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

2015: Guest Appearances

Throughout 2015, Nipsey Hussle made a number of guest appearances, working with Jadakiss, Trae Tha Truth, and YG.

October 2016: Hussle's Investment in Marathon Agency

In October 2016, it was reported that Nipsey Hussle had invested "over six figures" in the Marathon Agency.

2016: Famous Lies and Unpopular Truth & FDT Release

In 2016, Nipsey Hussle released another mixtape, titled Famous Lies and Unpopular Truth, and the single "FDT" ("Fuck Donald Trump") with YG.

June 17, 2017: Marathon Clothing Store Opening

On June 17, 2017, Nipsey Hussle opened the Marathon Clothing store in the Crenshaw commercial district.

2017: Marathon Clothing Store Inauguration and Vector 90 launch

In 2017, Nipsey Hussle inaugurated the Marathon Clothing store, which he founded with partners, and started a co-working environment called "Vector 90".

February 16, 2018: Victory Lap Album Release

On February 16, 2018, Nipsey Hussle's debut studio album, Victory Lap, was released.

2018: Victory Lap Album Release

In 2018, Nipsey Hussle's debut album Victory Lap was released to critical acclaim and commercial success and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards.

March 2019: Involvement in Destination Crenshaw and LAPD Meeting

In March 2019, Nipsey Hussle was involved in the planning stages of the Destination Crenshaw project and contacted the LAPD to arrange a meeting about preventing gang violence.

April 2019: Victory Lap Reaches New Peak

In April 2019, over a year after its release, Victory Lap reached a new peak of number 2 on the Billboard 200 after Nipsey Hussle's death.

September 2019: Puma Releases Marathon Clothing Collection

In September 2019, Puma released the Marathon Clothing collection, with all net proceeds benefiting the Neighborhood 'Nip' Foundation.

2019: Grammy Awards and "Racks in the Middle" Release

In 2019, Nipsey Hussle's single "Racks in the Middle" won Best Rap Performance and his feature on DJ Khaled's song "Higher" won Best Rap/Sung Performance at the Grammy Awards.