Nipsey Hussle: A Stolen Future

by Mary Mulugeta Asseratte

Nipsey Hussle, the Eritrean Grammy nominated rapper and entrepreneur, was fatally shot in Los Angeles, California on Sunday March 31st 2019; he was 33 years old.

The sudden and senseless murder of Ermias Asghedom, famously known as Nipsey Hussle, has shocked the world, to say the least.

Hussle, who before anything was a beloved son, brother, father and husband, was fatally shot outside his store ‘Marathon’ in Crenshaw, Los Angeles.

Nominated for a Grammy in 2019 for his debut album Victory Lap, on which he poetically spoke about his upbringing in a low-class neighbourhood which led him down a path affiliated with LA’s most notorious gangs, but also promoted the importance of self-ownership and community. An example of some of his lyrics across his album/mixtapes and the meaning behind them are:

“Royalties, publishing, I own masters”. Nipsey Hussle talks of the ownership he has over his music, something he was very passionate about and took great proud in. Artists owning the master copy to their music mean that they get to keep creative control over their music as well as revenue.

Read more at: The Reporter