Nipsey Hussle, the rapper and song writer was shot and killed on Sunday March 31, 2019 at 3:20 pm. The shooting occurred in the Hyde Park area of South Los Angeles, outside of his clothing store,The Marathon Clothing at the corner of Crenshaw and Slauson. He was just 33 years old. Nipsey leaves behind his girlfriend actress Lauren London, their 2- year-old son Kross Asghedom and his 10-year old daughter Emani Asghedom . 

You didn’t have to know Nipsey Hussle to be affected by his untimely and tragic passing last week. Another life lost to senseless gun violence. I didn’t know the hip hop rapper Nipsey Hussle. And I didn’t follow him, his life or his music. It was only in his passing that I came to know the legend of a man we lost. What I have learned from Nipsey Hussle has forever changed my life. Keep reading to learn about the legend Nipsey Hussle Tha Great. 

Nipsey Hussle was born Ermias Joseph Asghedom on August 15, 1985 in Los Angeles to a Eritrean father and an African American mother. The stage name "Nipsey Hussle" was derived from comedian and actor Nipsey Russell. From a very early age Nipsey got involved with the Rollin’ 60s, an LA-area gang affiliated with the Crips.  Later Nipsey found rap and in 2005 at the age of 20 he released his first mix-tape. Music become his passion. He put all his determination, focus and commitment into his music and turned away from gang life and running the streets. As his music took off he channeled his energy into serving his community and giving back. Now fast-forward, Nipsey was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year for his long-awaited album call Victory Lap. There is no question that his death has put a spotlight on his inspiring life. 

Wow, were do I even begin. As someone who has been turned on to Nipsey Hussle very recently I am beyond inspired by his life. There's so much that we can learn from Nipsey, from his prolific rhymes, his life, his community activism and philanthropy. Nip believed in the process of hard work, determination, positivity and leading by example. Not only was he a student of success but he was the living and breathing blueprint for success. And he modeled that for his community and for the world. The biggest thing I take away from Nipsey is to live a life of purpose and passion. And don't let your circumstances define your life. Use your life to make a difference and to uplift those around you. 

On Saturday June 17, 2017 Nipsey Hussle opened the doors to his flagship brand store The Marathon Clothing (TMC), the world's first technologically ground-breaking smart-store where customers can purchase merch and use an app to preview exclusive content from the rapper before the general public. This was his way of giving his most loyal fans new ways to consume exclusive content and get products. If that is not genius I don't know what is the  idea to "fuse technology into the fabric" of the store. Clearly, not just another run-of-the-mill retail brick and mortar outlet. The whole concept behind his brand is the marathon. Nip lived and breathed the marathon as his personal mantra. The marathon concept stands for "endurance, staying down (sacrificing), not quitting, accepting the ups and downs of whatever game you commit yourself to."  He embodied this to his core. This is powerful. We are all trying to sprint through life that we miss out on the lessons our life is showing us and teaching us along the way. "Life is a marathon not a sprint."

Nipsey Hussle went from Crips to community activist. He channeled his violent past as a gang member into community activism and philanthropy. His legacy goes beyond his music. Not only will he be remembered for his prolific lyrics but he will be remembered by his community for the lives he touched and changed. Nip was dedicated to his community and wanted everyone to succeed. Every thing he did was for the betterment of his community. As he elevated, he elevated his community along with him. There is so much we can model from Nipsey. Nipsey was the blueprint for how you can use your own life to help change the lives of others. To his community, he will always be remembered as Neighborhood Nip. And to the world he will be a true legend. How can you use your own life to help change the lives of others? How can you use your life lessons and experiences to inspire others?

Gone but not forgotten. Sometimes it takes someone's passing to shake us up and to wake us up. Nipsey Hussle in his short life has changed the world. He was a shining example of the best of what we can be. From his violent gang banging past to becoming the pillar of his community, a beacon of hope, a peace warrior and a role model his impact is undeniable. What Nip managed to do is nothing short of phenomenal. He was truly somebody that made something out of nothing. There is no doubt that South Los Angeles and the world at large is a better place because of Nipsey Hussle. The work that he has started will go on and continue. It is up to each one of us to take the baton, run our own marathon, keep hustling and make the victory lap.

Nipsey was many things to his community, he was a leader, business owner, innovator, economic developer, community investor, visionary, philanthropist, entrepreneur, Grammy-nominated rapper, artist, songwriter, an inspiration, a generous spirit, a family man, a son, a father, a brother, a friend, a peace advocate, a people's champ, a role model, a blueprint, and an activist who cared deeply for his community and the culture. His legacy and contributions to his community now live on in U.S. history as part of the Congressional Record. Nipsey's life may have been cut short, but his legacy and memory will live on for generations to come. Thank you Nipsey Hussle for encouraging and inspiring us to be better and to always strive to do better. #RIPNipseyHussle, #RidingforNipsey, #VictoryLap, #AllLove, #TheMarathonContinues