“Success to me is just being able to do what you love to do and support yourself all through.”, said Nipsey Hussle. On March 31st, American rapper and songwriter, Nipsey Hussle, was shot outside his store in Los Angeles. The news devastated his fellow family members, rappers, and fans.  He’s known for producing various mixtapes under the Bullets Ain’t Got No Name series. He also collaborated with famous rappers like YG, Snoop Dogg, Drake, and many others.

Nipsey Hussle’s name is Ermais Joseph Asghedom and he is of African American and Eritrean descent. He was born in the Crenshaw Neighborhood in Los Angeles on August 15, 1985. In his early teens, he joined the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips gang.  His stage name was based on Nipsey Russell, who was a comedian throughout the 20th century. The name Nipsey Hussle was given as a nickname from a friend. To learn more about his Eritrean ancestry, he visited Eritrea to become a community activist. After returning to the United States, he started his music career.

In 2005, he released his first mixtape Slauson Boy Volume 1 which became the name of his studio. In 2008, he released two other mixtapes, Bullets Ain’t Got No Name Volume 1 and 2 after signing to Cinematic music group and Epic records. The two mixtapes met with positive reviews from critics. In 2009, Hussle released the final mixtape to the Bullets Ain’t Got No Name series titled Bullets Ain’t Got No Name Vol 3. In 2010, he was ranked in XXL magazine as one of the “Annual Freshman Top Ten”,  where he was labeled as the “Most Determined.”

From 2010 to 2017, Hussle was planning on releasing a new album but the album was delayed. After many years of Delay, Hussle’s first full-length album Victory Lap was released on February 2018. The album was loved by critics and was a big commercial success. As said from HipHopDX.com, “Regardless of how much or little you know Nipsey’s background, the fact remains that his studio debut album, Victory Lap, serves as the ultimate starting point for the Crenshaw native; a coveted distinction for any artist in a well-established era where mixtapes, unofficial singles and yes, even Instagram, can all yield the same spotlight.” The album was even nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album.

In Hussle’s personal life, he married actress, Lauren London, in 2013. They also had a daughter who was born on August 31, 2016.  After Hussle was announced dead, his wife felt nothing but sadness. “I am completely lost, I’ve lost my best friend, my sanctuary, my protector, my soul. We are lost without you babe — I have no words.”, London wrote on her Instagram. Family members and celebrities sent their wishes to Hussle throughout various social media sites.  Hussle faced many ups and downs in his career, but it was his passion and perseverance that inspired millions to follow what he left behind.