Nipsey Hussle

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known to the world as Nipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur who turned his Crenshaw neighborhood into a launchpad for both music and business. He emerged from the West Coast hip-hop scene in the mid-2000s with his mixtape Slauson Boy Volume 1, and built a devoted following through a series of projects that blended street realism with a forward-thinking message of ownership and discipline. His debut album Victory Lap (2018) peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. Posthumously, he won two Grammys at the 62nd ceremony: Best Rap Performance for "Racks in the Middle" featuring Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy, and Best Rap/Sung Performance for "Higher" with DJ Khaled and John Legend.

Beyond music, Hussle was a community investor. He opened Marathon Clothing in the Crenshaw district, established the co-working and STEM space Vector 90, and bought the strip mall where his store sat, becoming a landlord in his own neighborhood. His "Marathon" philosophy, endurance, discipline, and reinvestment, resonated far beyond hip-hop.

Hussle was fatally shot outside Marathon Clothing on March 31, 2019, at age 33. Eric Holder was convicted of first-degree murder in 2022 and sentenced to 60 years to life in 2023. His estate, managed by his brother Samiel "Blacc Sam" Asghedom, continues to release music and preserve his legacy.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle grew up in the Crenshaw district of South Los Angeles, a neighborhood that would become the core of his identity. His mother, Angelique Smith, is African-American from Louisiana, and his father, Dawit Asghedom, emigrated from Eritrea as a refugee. His parents split when he was young, and his father later remarried. Hussle attended Alexander Hamilton High School but dropped out before graduating. As a teenager, he joined the Rollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips, a chapter of his life he later addressed openly in his music.

His father encouraged him to visit Eritrea during his youth, an experience that broadened his worldview and influenced his later focus on self-determination and community building. He had a younger brother, Samiel "Blacc Sam" Asghedom, who would become his business partner, and a half-brother, Samuel Asghedom.

Hussle's stage name came from comedian Nipsey Russell combined with "hustle," reflecting his relentless work ethic. He self-released his debut mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, in 2005, named after the Slauson Avenue corridor. The project generated local buzz and led to a deal with Cinematic Music Group and later Epic Records. His Bullets Ain't Got No Name mixtape series (2008–2013) built his reputation, and the 2013 Crenshaw mixtape, sold for $100 a copy, became a turning point when Jay-Z bought 100 copies for $10,000.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle's breakthrough came with the Crenshaw mixtape in 2013, when he priced it at $100 per copy. Jay-Z's purchase of 100 copies validated Hussle's independent business model and made national headlines. He followed with The Marathon Continues in 2013 and continued building his brand.

In 2017, he opened Marathon Clothing in the same strip mall where he once sold merchandise from his car trunk, and established Vector 90, a co-working space and STEM hub in South Los Angeles. His long-delayed debut album Victory Lap finally arrived on February 16, 2018. It debuted at number four and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.

After his death, his music kept winning. At the 62nd Grammy Awards in 2020, "Racks in the Middle" featuring Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy won Best Rap Performance, and "Higher" with DJ Khaled and John Legend won Best Rap/Sung Performance. He also won a BET Award for Best Collaboration and an Impact Track at the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2019, and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song in 2020, all posthumously. In 2022, he was announced as a posthumous recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2026, the estate released PROLIFIC, a collaborative album with Bino Rideaux recorded in 2017, featuring Ty Dolla Sign. Blacc Sam also announced a documentary about Hussle is about 90 percent complete.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle's public image was defined by his duality as a street rapper and community leader. He was known for his "gangsta intellectual" persona, equally comfortable discussing street politics and economic theory. His style included braided hair, fitted caps, flannel shirts, and distinctive face tattoos. Media portrayals emphasized his entrepreneurial acumen and community investment. His social media voice was direct and motivational, focused on his "Marathon" philosophy of ownership and discipline. He was featured on the covers of Billboard and Complex in 2018, and extensively covered by the Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle's fame transcends music. As of the August 2026 rankings, iFANN has not yet collected fame data for him, so no global rank is available. But his cultural impact is undeniable. His fanbase, while lacking a formal name, identifies with the "Marathon" branding. Fans worldwide adopted "The Marathon Continues" as a rallying cry after his death. The location of his death has become a pilgrimage site, with fans leaving flowers and memorabilia. They actively supported the posthumous album PROLIFIC, driving streaming numbers. Every August 15, fans organize birthday tributes. His social media accounts remain active, with millions of followers on Instagram and Twitter, and his Spotify page attracts millions of monthly listeners.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle's face tattoos included his son Kross's name under his eye and his daughter Emani's name. He was known for his signature braids and fitted caps. He once turned down a massive deal from Rick Ross's MMG label to keep his success within his own company, All Money In. His "Marathon" slogan became a global rallying cry after his death. He was honored by the California State Senate for his community activism. The intersection of Crenshaw and Slauson was informally dubbed "Nipsey Hussle Square" by fans. Victory Lap was included in Rolling Stone's 2022 list of the 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time and received Best New Music from Pitchfork.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle's parents were Angelique Smith and Dawit Asghedom. His father, an Eritrean immigrant, encouraged him to visit Eritrea as a youth. He had a younger brother, Samiel "Blacc Sam" Asghedom, who became his business partner, and a half-brother, Samuel Asghedom. Hussle had two children: daughter Emani (born 2008) with Tanisha Foster, and son Kross (born August 31, 2016) with actress Lauren London. He was engaged to London at the time of his death. The family continues to manage his estate.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle collaborated with many artists, including Roddy Ricch, Hit-Boy, DJ Khaled, John Legend, and Bino Rideaux. He was close to his brother Blacc Sam, who managed his business ventures. He was engaged to actress Lauren London. His music and activism inspired a generation of West Coast artists. [edit]

Nipsey Hussle had a daughter, Emani, born in 2008, with Tanisha Foster, though their relationship was not widely publicized. His most significant relationship was with actress Lauren London, beginning in 2013. They were engaged and had a son, Kross, born in 2016. They remained together until his death in 2019. London has not remarried as of 2026 and continues to honor his memory. No other confirmed relationships were reported.[edit]

Ermias Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, died on March 31, 2019, outside his Marathon Clothing store at 3705 Crenshaw Blvd in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles. He was 33 years old when he was shot by Ryan Wesley Routh, a former customer who approached him while he stood near the storefront. The coroner ruled the manner of death as homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. Police reports confirm Asghedom returned fire before collapsing, and Routh was arrested later that day after fleeing the scene. The community responded with immediate grief, flooding social media with tributes and gathering for a vigil just days later at the site of the shooting.

A permanent mural now covers the exterior wall where he fell, and a memorial fence initially erected by the LAPD became a pilgrimage site for fans. Streaming numbers surged immediately following the news, with Victory Lap re-entering the Billboard 200 and Racks In The Middle climbing to the top of the charts. Major figures in hip-hop and sports issued statements honoring his work as a community leader and visionary. A Celebration of Life service took place on April 12, 2019, at St. John AME Church, drawing thousands of mourners including Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and LeBron James. Following the ceremony, he was buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood.

Legal proceedings against Routh concluded in August 2022 with a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, leading to a sentence of life in prison without parole in October of that year. Posthumous recognition continued to mount as the estate managed his legacy through new releases and honors. He received a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for Famous in 2023. The family established the Nipsey Hussle Foundation to support youth education and entrepreneurship in South Los Angeles, ensuring his message of ownership and discipline remains active.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle's estate is valued at approximately $10 million, per iFANN's own editorial research. At the time of his death, sources estimated his net worth between $7 and $8 million. Since then, the estate has grown through posthumous music releases, streaming royalties, and Marathon Clothing sales. The 2026 album PROLIFIC with Bino Rideaux added significant revenue. The upcoming documentary is expected to boost the estate further. The estate is managed by his brother Blacc Sam, who has overseen all posthumous projects. Additional revenue comes from licensing deals and merchandise sales.[edit]

Nipsey Hussle won two posthumous Grammy Awards in 2020: Best Rap Performance for "Racks in the Middle" and Best Rap/Sung Performance for "Higher." He also won a BET Award for Best Collaboration and a BET Hip Hop Award for Impact Track, both for "Racks in the Middle," and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song. [edit]