Why did Nipsey Hussle sell his mixtape for $100?

To prove an independent artist could set the value of his own work. He sold a thousand copies of Crenshaw at that price in 2013.

What was The Marathon Clothing?

His store at Slauson and Crenshaw in Los Angeles, on the corner he grew up on. He bought the plaza it was in.

What is Nipsey Hussle Square?

The intersection of Slauson and Crenshaw, renamed in his honor after he was killed there in 2019.

← ARTISTS

§ ARTIST · BUSINESS

Nipsey Hussle

Rapper, entrepreneur, founder of The Marathon Clothing · 1985 to 2019

BORN: 1985
DIED: 2019
ERA: 2005 to 2019
KNOWN FOR: Rapper, entrepreneur, founder of The Marathon Clothing

§ THE SHORT VERSION

Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom in Los Angeles in 1985, was an independent rapper and entrepreneur from the Crenshaw district. He opened The Marathon Clothing store at Slauson and Crenshaw, co-founded the STEM center Vector90, and was killed outside his store in 2019.

Born Ermias Asghedom in Los Angeles in 1985 and raised in the Crenshaw district, the son of an Eritrean father. Independent from the start, and proud of it.

PROUD TO PAY

In 2013 he sold a thousand copies of his mixtape Crenshaw at one hundred dollars each and sold out. The lesson was not the price. It was that an artist who owns the relationship with his audience does not need permission.

BUYING THE BLOCK

The Marathon Clothing store opened at Slauson and Crenshaw, the corner he grew up on, and he bought the plaza it sat in. He co-founded Vector90, a co-working and STEM space for the neighbourhood. Victory Lap, his studio debut, was nominated for the Grammy for Best Rap Album. He was killed outside his store in 2019, and the city renamed the intersection Nipsey Hussle Square.

Highlights.

Victory Lap (2018), nominated for the Grammy for Best Rap Album

Sold the Crenshaw mixtape at $100 a copy (2013)

Opened The Marathon Clothing at Slauson and Crenshaw

Co-founded Vector90, a STEM and co-working space

Posthumous Grammy for Racks in the Middle (2020)

The portraits.

EVERY ARTIST →

The only name in this room so far.

§ QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK

Why did Nipsey Hussle sell his mixtape for $100?: To prove an independent artist could set the value of his own work. He sold a thousand copies of Crenshaw at that price in 2013.
What was The Marathon Clothing?: His store at Slauson and Crenshaw in Los Angeles, on the corner he grew up on. He bought the plaza it was in.
What is Nipsey Hussle Square?: The intersection of Slauson and Crenshaw, renamed in his honor after he was killed there in 2019.

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