Watching Nipsey Hussle perform during NBA All-Star Weekend 2018 felt momentous because, in many ways, it was the culmination of a life’s work. Everything he’d ever poured into his his craft had led up to this moment. It started on Crenshaw & Slauson and with school age Nip finding old computers, breaking them and rebuilding them for fun. It grew to engaging in gang activity as a Rollin’ 60s Crip. That transitioned into minor jail time, and ultimately a rap career that began as humbly as the jewelry he didn’t wear. Some mixtapes, a launch of his own footprint, a “Proud to Pay” campaign and an Atlantic Records deal later, Nipsey was ready to take his rightful place amongst hip-hop’s super elite.
Today marks the five-year anniversary of the release of Nipsey’s major label debut Victory Lap. While the masses were a little slower to pick up on Victory Lap, the album’s critical acclaim was marked by a Grammy nod the following February for Rap Album of the Year. Per this website, it was one of the top rap albums of the 2010s.
Though Nip’s life was tragically cut short just over a year after his release and performance at All-Star Weekend in his hometown, Hussle’s catalog — specifically Victory Lap — and legacy are as strong as ever (Family Guy jokes aside, which by the way really is a non-issue). And in spite of the melancholy emotions that can at times linger when this record spins, Victory Lap not only remains a monument to Hussle and everything he stood for, it doubles as a grieving tool.
It did for me anyway.
I didn’t listen to anything other than Nipsey Hussle for a whole year after he passed away. Much of what I heard the year after that was significantly Nip laden. At the risk of limiting my exposure to other work, it felt necessary, almost cathartic. But also, the music was and is dope as fuck. The range, the lyricism, the beat selection, the perfect number of features for a solo debut and Nipsey’s trademark game nestled within each bar—it all combined for a memorable musical experience.
“Before you run your race, you gotta find a pace/ Just make sure you cross the line and fuck the time it takes.” – Nipsey Hussle
Sidebar: Victory Lap was broken down beautifully in this Twitter thread.
Nipsey Tha Great inspired me, my brother and even my wife. As the man himself transitioned, so too would his impact. The ostensibly cruel twist of fate that was his untimely death led to his wisdom reaching so many more people it otherwise might not have. At least not as quickly. That, coupled with the overall brilliance of Victory Lap itself, means Nipsey Hussle’s “marathon” will indeed “continue” forever.
And yes, he won his race.
Some other Nipsey Hussle content from HHSR: