Long Live Nip

Victory Lap

When I heard Nipsey was murdered I was sitting in the living room at my friend’s house. I immediately felt the anxiety building inside of me, and great sadness. In all honesty the first person I thought about was Lauren London, and then his children. I got online to look for credible sites to verify that this tragedy was indeed true. Like many people I didn’t understand it, because everyone seemingly loved Nipsey. I loved Nipsey!

I listened to his music as a frustrated entrepreneur when business wasn’t working out in my favor. I listened to his music when I was in the gym and didn’t feel like moving my body. I even listened to Nip to prove to myself that I was on the right path, had the right mindset, and that my writings were not in vain. Nipsey was one of us. When I say one of us I mean he was from what people refer to as the hood. He had a vision. In fact he had many visions, and he never let them die. He worked towards them. He sold mixtapes out of his trunk for $100. He’s been giving us, the people, knowledge through his music. He provides detailed step by step instructions on how to get your money together, how to be patient because it can be a difficult process and to not sell out!

Last time that I checked

Nipsey was about change! He was about dismantling a system that was never meant for us to win within, and for us to create our own! He knew his power, and his strengths and he wanted us to recognize that we individually have those same powers, but collectively we’re much stronger. I remember watching this interview of Nipsey saying that we can’t give reactions to the “goofy’s!” Simply, because all they want is attention and to spread nonsense. I took that to heart like I did with many of his words. His words confirmed what I already knew was right. On top of Nipsey giving us knowledge his major impact was within his community. The older I get the more I recognize the importance of community service. All these artist online posting that “Nipsey was one of the real ones. He did great work within his community.” All of the artist in the industry can do the exact same things that Nipsey did for his community, they just choose not to do so! Never get it confused, community service doesn’t have to be a check. It can be putting together free programs, volunteering your time to a specific program, or youth within a certain area. We can all participate within the communities that we grew up in, regardless if we still reside there. We must carry Nipsey’s legacy and hard work forward! It’s the right thing to do for him and for our people.

If you were not a Nipsey fan there are a few albums that I suggest you hear:  Crenshaw, The Marathon, Mailbox Money,The Marathon Continues, and Victory Lap.

I’ve created a list of what 10 things we can all learn from Nipsey Hussle.

1. Dedication, hard work, seeking opportunities, and sacrifice equals success.
2. Giving to your community is just as important as making money.
3. Build within your community to help generate wealth.
4. Always remain humble and constantly remind yourself of how you reached your level of success.
5. Always show the ones before you appreciation, gratitude, and homage. Nipsey constantly gave praise to Master P and 2pac!
6. Give people a chance when society has given up on them. Nipsey’s Marathon store employees were all pretty much convicted felons.
7. Never be afraid to show someone how much you love and appreciate them. Love like there is no tomorrow.
8. You don’t have to conform to the industry. The industry meaning whatever field you’re in you don’t have to go about things the way everyone else does.
9. Be your authentic and true self.
10. Leave your imprint on this world.

I truly hope that Lauren and Nipsey’s family are comforted and supported by loved ones, and some how a higher power helps them with understanding.