While his life was celebrated on April 11 in front of over 21,000 people at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom’s undisputed impact continues to live on for both Hip Hop and the local youth.
The Eritrean-American who was born and raised in L.A. has been praised as a local philanthropist, an activist, and a visionary involved in the community development. Being in the position that he was, Nipsey is part of a selective group of artists that truly did something in order to combat the many ills of our society. Ermias was brave enough to touch subjects such as the American prison industrial complex, gun violence, police brutality, and many more. Let’s see some of Nipsey’s biggest accomplishments so far.
Marathon Clothing
Passionate about entrepreneurship, the rapper decided to purchase a shopping plaza in his South Central neighborhood and fund Marathon Clothing, a brand that he always dreamed of as a child.
While documenting the event earlier this year, Nipsey mentioned that this is truly an accomplishment for him since he used to hang around the area but was always chased away as a teen.
Destination Crenshaw project
In order to support the local artists, Nipsey was also involved in the Destination Crenshaw project.
The purpose of this partnership was to create an open-air museum to promote black Los Angeles and the local artistic values. Destination Crenshaw is a 1.3 mile long “outdoor art and culture experience” where the iconic Crenshaw Boulevard was used as a canvas for public art and streetscape design.
Crenshaw elementary school support
Hussle also pointed his attention to a local elementary school while he funded the renovation of a playground along with the basketball courts.
In a partnership with Puma, the rapper also donated $10,000 to the school in order for students to have better learning conditions. During an interview, he mentioned that he felt the need to do so since he grew up around the corner, and he’s extremely tied to the area.
Nipsey Hussle Mural by Cooper – Puma Hoops
Too Big To Fall
Nipsey also launched Too Big To Fall in partnership with Vector90, which led to the opening of a co-working space for a STEM initiative for local youth. The project reflected on the idea that certain institutions are so large and interconnected that their failure would be catastrophic for the entire economy
. Too Big To Fall creates impact hubs where neighborhood youth can feed off of each other’s talent, creativity, and support.
Hired or impacted no less than 41,369 people
Last but not least, Nipsey’s effort to support the ones in need impacted the life of 41,369 people through his many projects.
I hope (Nipsey’s) memory inspires more good work in Crenshaw and communities like it,
former President Barack Obama stated in a letter which was read before Hussle’s memorial service. The marathon continues. RIP Nipsey Hussle.
Who are we kidding… No Hip Hop?
We couldn’t resist dropping his latest appearance on the Dj Khaled’s amazing single called Higher featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend.
