Nipsey Hussle’s Legacy Working Hard in LA Communities He Championed

Photo by Soundtrack Beat Battle / CC BY 2.5

Nearly six months after the untimely death of Nipsey Hussle, the legacy of the Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist and community leader is thriving in his native Los Angeles.

Nipsey, born Ermias Asghedom, is rightfully regarded as a hero throughout L.A. He was the city’s ultimate champion, giving back in countless ways throughout his 14-year career behind the mic. As his star rose, so did his contributions to local communities.

In celebration of Nipsey’s lasting impact, here’s a look at four ways his legacy is shaping urban L.A.

The Marathon Clothing

Nipsey launched The Marathon Clothing, his signature apparel brand, in 2017. Marathon’s retail store in South L.A. quickly became a neighborhood hot spot. Tragically, Nipsey lost his life in the parking lot on March 31. An intersection near the store will be renamed Nipsey Hussle Square in honor of his contributions to the community.

Marathon received over $10 million in orders in the weeks following Nipsey’s passing and continues to work through a fulfillment backlog.

Destination Crenshaw

Nipsey was a key member of the team behind Destination Crenshaw, an under-construction outdoor art and cultural experience staged along a 1.3 mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard.

Built for and by community citizens, the extended public use space will feature over 100 permanent and rotating art installations, innovative streetscape designs, and more than 800 trees. Two large monuments and an open-air museum will serve as Destination Crenshaw’s centerpiece. The project is slated for completion in the spring of 2020.

Photo by LitoStarr / CC BY-SA 4.0

Citywide Tributes

In addition to Nipsey Hussle Square, several murals paying homage to the late mogul have appeared throughout L.A. on buildings, wall spaces, and even a public basketball court–a fitting nod to the lifelong hoops fan.

Nipsey frequently attended Lakers basketball games. The steam staged a poignant video tribute and moment of silence to the fallen star at the Staples Center before a home game against the Golden State Warriors on April 5. If the Lakers mount a likely NBA Championship run in 2019-20, players will unquestionably dedicate the success to Nipsey.

Vector 90

Nipsey co-founded Vector 90 in March 2018. The two-story shared workspace and STEM-focused education center provides a range of opportunities to underprivileged youth in L.A.’s Crenshaw district. Fueled by his own interests in technology, science, and business, Nipsey recognized how a hub like Vector 90 would be a unifying force for good in his home community.

Vector 90 is a collaboration between Nipsey and real-estate developer David Gross. The pair hatched the idea during a fortuitous meeting at a Lakers basketball game. Vector 90 continues to serve entrepreneurs and creatives around LA.

Nipsey will make a posthumous appearance on an episode of the upcoming Netflix hip-hop competition show Rhythm + Flow beginning October 9.