The marathon, along with Nipsey Hussle’s legacy, continues as the city of Los Angeles has announced that the late rapper/entrepreneur will be honored with his own day. Aug. 15, which also happens to be his birthday, will officially be known as Nipsey Hussle Day in Los Angeles. The news was made public at the unveiling of Hussle’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Nipsey Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on what would have been his 37th birthday.
“Nipsey Hussle was more than just a creative genius, he was committed to helping his community through savvy business moves and charitable contributions,” Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame, said on behalf of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
When you think of Los Angeles, there is a short list of names that fully represent the city to the fullest. Nipsey Hussle is one of the few at the top of that list. With the amount of love and pride he had for his hometown, it’s only right that he be honored with both a star and his own holiday.
Nipsey Hussle was born and raised in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Los Angeles and maintained close ties to the community throughout his rise to fame. Although music was his first love, community activism and entrepreneurship were true passions, and it showed through in the many businesses, brand deals and partnerships Hussle aligned himself with.
Nipsey Hussle was also vocal about the importance of pouring back into his neighborhood. He bought a strip mall on a busy intersection of Crenshaw and Slauson, where he ran his The Marathon Clothing store. Outside of having a retail store, Nipsey also ran several other businesses, including restaurants and a barbershop, which employed locals from the area. Nipsey also started a co-working space called Vector90 in the heart of the Crenshaw District and had plans to start a STEM program at Garvey/Allen Visual & Performing Arts Academy to get young Black and brown children more involved in tech. Before he died, he teamed up with Puma to donate $10,000 to 59th Street Elementary School to refurbish the school’s basketball court.
Nipsey Hussle’s dreams did not end when his life was tragically cut short in 2019, however. Staying true to his motto that The Marathon Continues, his eldest brother Samiel Asghedom, sister Samantha Smith and life partner Lauren London have kept his business ventures thriving, even seeing to it that business deals Nipsey was working on before his passing came into fruition.
If anyone is deserving of a day, it’s definitely Neighborhood Nip.
For fans looking to snap a photo with Nipsey Hussle’s Hollywood star, you can find it at 6212 Hollywood Blvd., near Amoeba Music.
