Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, was a prominent figure in the West Coast hip-hop scene, recognized as a rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. He gained initial recognition with his mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, leading to record deals with Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records. Beyond music, Hussle was deeply involved in community development, focusing on economic empowerment and reducing gang violence in his Crenshaw neighborhood. His business ventures included The Marathon Clothing store, which became a symbol of his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his community. Hussle's life and career were tragically cut short by his murder in 2019, but his legacy of music, entrepreneurship, and activism continues to inspire.
August 15, 1985: Nipsey Hussle's Birth
On August 15, 1985, Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was born. He later became a prominent American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist.
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1992: Gang Truces Similar to Those of 1992
In 1992, a cease fire, but not a truce, was forged between Black gangs to stay out of each other's territory and stop shooting at each other. The peacemaking included hundreds of gangs and was similar to those of 1992.
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1992: Kris Kross' "Jump" Release
In 2009, Nipsey Hussle sampled Kris Kross' 1992 single "Jump" for his single "Hussle in the House".
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2002: Joined Buttervision
In 2002, at the age of 17, Nipsey Hussle joined Buttervision, a creative multimedia Digital Guerrilla movement led by Dexter Browne.
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2004: Trip to Eritrea
In 2004, when he was 19, Nipsey Hussle went on a three-month trip to Eritrea with his father and brother, which he credited with inspiring him to become a community activist.
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December 2005: Release of Slauson Boy Volume 1
In December 2005, Nipsey Hussle independently released his first mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, which helped build his regional fanbase and led to him signing with Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records.
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2006: Featured on 2Pac Album
In 2006, Nipsey Hussle appeared as a featured performer on the final posthumous album by 2Pac, Pac's Life.
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2007: Role in I Tried
In 2007, Nipsey Hussle played a small role in Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's semi-autobiographical film I Tried.
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2008: Bullets Ain't Got No Name series release
In 2008, Nipsey Hussle released the first two installments in his Bullets Ain't Got No Name series of mixtapes, which helped to bring Hussle's music to a larger audience.
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2009: Collaborations and Debut Single
In 2009, Nipsey Hussle collaborated with Drake on "Killer", appeared on Snoop Dogg's "Upside Down", released Bullets Ain't Got No Name, Vol. 3, and released his debut single, "Hussle in the House."
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October 2010: Expected Album Release
In October 2010, Nipsey Hussle was expected to release his debut album, South Central State of Mind. It was supported by the single "Feelin' Myself" featuring Lloyd, but was eventually postponed indefinitely.
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December 21, 2010: Release of The Marathon
On December 21, 2010, Nipsey Hussle released his first All Money In Records mixtape, titled The Marathon, which featured guest appearances from Kokane and MGMT.
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December 21, 2010: Postponement of Album Release
On December 21, 2010, the release date of Nipsey Hussle's album South Central State of Mind was postponed indefinitely.
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2010: Left Epic Records
In 2010, Nipsey Hussle left Epic Records after the label experienced financial issues, and later appeared on "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" and was featured in XXL Magazine's "Annual Freshman Top Ten".
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2010: Starred in Caged Animal
In 2010, Nipsey Hussle starred in the film Caged Animal, alongside Ving Rhames, Gillie Da Kid and Robert Patrick.
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November 1, 2011: Release of The Marathon Continues
On November 1, 2011, Nipsey Hussle released a sequel to The Marathon titled The Marathon Continues, which featured L.A. rappers YG and Dom Kennedy.
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2011: The Marathon Continues
In 2011, Nipsey Hussle released a sequel titled The Marathon Continues, which featured L.A. rappers YG and Dom Kennedy.
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April 17, 2012: Release of Raw
On April 17, 2012, Nipsey Hussle released a collaborative album with fellow rapper Blanco, Raw. The album featured guest appearances from YG, Mistah FAB, Yukmouth, B-Legit, Kokane and Freeway.
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May 2012: Collaboration with Rick Ross
In May 2012, Nipsey Hussle released a single titled Proud of That, marking his first collaboration with Florida rapper Rick Ross.
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October 1, 2012: Music Video Release
On October 1, 2012, the music video was released for Nipsey Hussle's feature on Ross' Maybach Music Group's song "Fountain of Youth".
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December 2012: MMG Signing Hints
In December 2012, Nipsey Hussle hinted at signing with Maybach Music Group (MMG), but also stated he was still looking for the right label.
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December 2012: TM3 Delayed Release
In December 2012, the initial release date of TM3: Victory Lap was pushed back.
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March 30, 2013: Paid Dues Festival Performance
On March 30, 2013, Nipsey Hussle performed at the Paid Dues festival in California.
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August 6, 2013: Victory Lap to be Released as an Album
On August 6, 2013, Nipsey Hussle announced that Victory Lap would be released as an album, rather than a mixtape.
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September 16, 2013: Announcement of Crenshaw Mixtape
On September 16, 2013, Nipsey Hussle announced that he would be releasing a new mixtape, Crenshaw (hosted by DJ Drama), on October 8, 2013.
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September 24, 2013: Crenshaw Tracklist Reveal
On September 24, 2013, Nipsey Hussle revealed the track list for Crenshaw, featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy, and others, and released the Crenshaw documentary.
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October 3, 2013: Crenshaw Mixtape Sale
On October 3, 2013, Nipsey Hussle garnered attention by announcing that 1,000 hard copies of his Crenshaw mixtape would be sold for $100 each, selling out in less than 24 hours.
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October 8, 2013: Release of Crenshaw Mixtape
On October 8, 2013, Nipsey Hussle released his mixtape Crenshaw, hosted by DJ Drama.
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November 20, 2013: Victory Lap Production
On November 20, 2013, Nipsey Hussle confirmed the producers for Victory Lap, including Ralo, 1500 or Nothin', the Futuristiks and DJ Mustard.
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2013: Began Dating Lauren London
In 2013, Nipsey Hussle and actress Lauren London began dating.
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2013: Marathon Agency Founding
In 2013, Steve Carless founded Marathon Agency, inspired by Nipsey Hussle's Marathon branding.
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2014: Mailbox Money Release
In 2014, after the year went by with no new releases, Nipsey Hussle released a new mixtape, Mailbox Money on New Year's Eve, again releasing 1000 hard copies for $100 each.
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2015: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cameo
In 2015, Nipsey Hussle was featured in a cameo "The Sexy Getting Ready Song" in the pilot episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, rapping two bars.
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2015: Guest Appearances
Throughout 2015, Nipsey Hussle made a number of guest appearances, working with Jadakiss and Trae Tha Truth.
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October 2016: Hussle's Investment in Marathon Agency
In October 2016, Nipsey Hussle invested "like over six figures" in the Marathon Agency, acting as a silent partner.
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2016: Birth of Son
In 2016, Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London had a son together.
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2016: Famous Lies and Unpopular Truth Release
In 2016, Nipsey Hussle released another mixtape, titled Famous Lies and Unpopular Truth, and released the single "FDT" ("Fuck Donald Trump") with YG.
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June 17, 2017: Opening of Marathon Clothing Store
On June 17, 2017, Nipsey Hussle opened the Marathon Clothing store in the Crenshaw commercial district, aiming to invest and provide opportunities in his neighborhood.
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2017: Inauguration of Marathon Clothing Store
In 2017, Nipsey Hussle, along with partners, inaugurated the Marathon Clothing store, and he also started a co-working environment named "Vector 90".
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February 16, 2018: Victory Lap Album Release
On February 16, 2018, Nipsey Hussle's debut studio album, Victory Lap, was released, debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and receiving critical acclaim.
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2018: Release of Victory Lap
In 2018, Nipsey Hussle released his debut studio album Victory Lap, which received critical acclaim and commercial success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
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March 2019: Community Involvement
In March 2019, Nipsey Hussle contacted officials from the LAPD to arrange a meeting to help prevent gang violence in South Los Angeles.
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March 31, 2019: Nipsey Hussle's Death
On March 31, 2019, Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot outside his store in South Central Los Angeles, marking a tragic end to his life and career.
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April 2, 2019: Eric Holder's Arrest
On April 2, 2019, Eric Ronald Holder Jr. was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department as the suspect in Nipsey Hussle's murder and was held in solitary confinement.
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April 2019: Billboard Chart Peak
In April 2019, Victory Lap reached a new peak of number 2 on the Billboard 200 after Nipsey Hussle's murder on March 31.
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September 2019: Puma Releases Marathon Clothing Collection
In September 2019, Puma released the Marathon Clothing collection, with 100% of the net proceeds going to the Neighborhood 'Nip' Foundation.
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2019: YG Dedicates Coachella Performance to Nipsey Hussle
In 2019, Nipsey Hussle's longtime friend and collaborator YG dedicated his performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to the memory of Nipsey Hussle.
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2019: Grammy Awards
In 2019, Nipsey Hussle's single, "Racks in the Middle", won Best Rap Performance and his appearance on DJ Khaled's song "Higher" won Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
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March 6, 2020: Body Count Releases "When I'm Gone"
On March 6, 2020, Body Count released their album 'Carnivore,' featuring the song "When I'm Gone", written by Ice-T for Nipsey Hussle, and co-written by Amy Lee.
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August 2020: Big Sean Announces "Deep Reverence"
In August 2020, Big Sean announced the song "Deep Reverence" in honor of Nipsey Hussle. The track features Nipsey Hussle.
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2020: Grammy Awards Tribute to Nipsey Hussle
At the 2020 Grammy Awards, DJ Khaled, Kirk Franklin, John Legend, Meek Mill, Roddy Ricch, and YG all gave tribute to Nipsey Hussle in honor of his legacy.
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2020: Michelle Obama includes "Hussle and Motivate" on her 2020 workout playlist
In 2020, Michelle Obama included "Hussle and Motivate" on her workout playlist. The song was inspired by the books that Hussle mentioned in interviews, songs and motivational messages.
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2020: Snoop Dogg releases "Nipsey Blue"
In 2020, Snoop Dogg released "Nipsey Blue", a tribute song dedicated to Nipsey Hussle.
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March 2021: "Deep Reverence" Music Video Released
In March 2021, the music video for Big Sean's "Deep Reverence", featuring Nipsey Hussle, was released.
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June 2022: Eric Holder's Trial Begins
In June 2022, the trial for Eric Holder, accused of murdering Nipsey Hussle, began after several postponements. The trial included arguments about premeditation and motives related to a rumor of Holder cooperating with law enforcement.
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July 6, 2022: Eric Holder Found Guilty
On July 6, 2022, Eric Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Nipsey Hussle.
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August 6, 2022: Ceremony for Nipsey Hussle Station
On August 6, 2022, a ceremony was held dedicating the at-grade light rail station on the K Line to Nipsey Hussle and the Crenshaw community, honoring his contributions to the neighborhood.
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August 15, 2022: Nipsey Hussle Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
On August 15, 2022, Nipsey Hussle was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on what would have been his 37th birthday. The day was proclaimed Nipsey Hussle Day by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
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February 22, 2023: Eric Holder Sentenced
On February 22, 2023, Eric Holder was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for the murder of Nipsey Hussle.
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March 22, 2024: Kendrick Lamar-Drake Rap Feud and Cultural Continuity with Hussle
Starting March 22, 2024, commentators drew parallels between Kendrick Lamar's music and advocacies with those of Nipsey Hussle, especially in relation to Lamar's rap feud with Drake, highlighting a cultural and symbolic continuity.
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