If we’re being honest, this should have been the first article. I didn’t know Nipsey Hussle but his death touched my life. I didn’t plan to put this out on the anniversary of his death either but some things manifest in that way. He would understand. 

I can’t remember what grade it was that I discovered his music. In fact, I think I saw an interview he did before I knew who he was. He was young and heavily dripped in loced out gear but he was preaching about the purchase power in real-estate. That was it.

Before the accolades started rolling in, it was me bumping Nip in high school. It was me listening to “Ocean Views” staring across the Aegean Sea. That’s how long I had been a fan. 

Nipsey opened the album with the titular song, “Victory Lap.” Stacy Barthe lends her vocals to the track that casts a reminiscent aura. Yet, it’s the open letter lyrics that guides the listener into the album. In the song, the grammy nominated artist details his path to fortune and fame. He detailed the regularity of his life by stating that he too was just another person “breaking down Swishers in front of [a] building.” He seemingly transitions from someone consistently willing to be on the “front line” to a jet flying and show rocking artist. His journey paid homage to the music he listened to in his younger years, while maintaining his connection to the people of his city. The music video depicted his visit to the Mayan Ruins, but it’s the reality that set in when he said, “Listening to music at the Mayan Ruins” that brought forth the connection to the truths he told. He understood his power to influence the masses and accepted that what he lived through could only be recognition of “divine presence.” It is that faith in himself that allowed him to boldly claim his position. If one doesn’t do the same, then his line for you is: “you find your purpose or you wasting’ air.”

In “Rap Niggas,” Hussle took a bold stance to set himself apart from other artists in the game. He boasted about his dual lifestyle. On one side of the coin he was the money spending, lavishly living artist. On the flipped side, he was the gangster hustler that if pushed, was willing to “[increase the] murder rate.” In the song he detailed his nonchalant expenses while eluding to his entrepreneurial goals. His path to fame had always been through his understanding of his dual personas. He knew when it was time to load the extension clip and knew when it was time to use a “white boy in Manhattan” to pay his taxes. Nipsey was an artist that never downplayed who he was. His expectations were nothing less than precise. He took time in the song to pay homage to those he learned from and idolized. He spoke to great lengths in interviews about the power an artist can have over their career. That’s why when he said, “I own the right to my raps,” it makes a difference. He expected and demanded control in anything involving him. Pure evidence can be heard when the entrepreneur ends every single line with ”nigga.” 

Nip owned his lane. 

The album gave way to “Last Time That I Checc’d.” The song was assisted by YG and showcased both artists as self-made individuals. Simply put, they discussed their accession from bangers to bosses. For Nip, that looked like promoting ownership in a community and investment in ones self. Instead of leaving his old life behind after finding success, he reminisced on how he “reinvest[ed], double up[ed], then explained” the process to the generation after his. To Hussle, his tactics were as simple as a game of “chess” or “Monopoly.“ His goal was to win. He promoted hard work, dedication to rising in rank, and celebration when “the mission was hard[.]” When YG steps to the mic, his verse is aimed directly at the doubters and nonbelievers. He directly confronts the new-found “pro-black” industry front by adlibbing, “they don’t really fuck with us.” He boldly states that he would rather wear “his own [clothing line].” Most importantly, YG echoes his mentor, Nipsey, in promoting the power of ownership for artists and the importance of securing the win against any label seeking to  “play the game.”

As the album transitioned into “Young Niggas,” the voice of PARTYNEXTDOOR introduced the song. The song itself is autobiographical in nature as it details Nipsey’s path to the top. Not many people can speak on losing a hundred thousand dollars to mold, but many can speak on the moment of being “uninspired and your mind, still it’s a paper chase.” As always, Nipsey was honest about his lifestyle and upbringing. He openly stated that people might not “want [their] daughter and [their] sons with him.” He came from a place where getting checked on “where you from” and proudly ended “up in Forbes.” The song lends the names of those who stood by the rapper over the course of his journey but, ultimately, Hussle persevered through his belief in being the “master of [his] fate.” Nipsey’s flow is usually known to be laid back but direct in his intentions with his lyrics. In the case of this song, listeners are treated to a switch of flow as Hussle’s story matches the fast-paced lifestyle. Yet, every single word is emphasized. It’s hard to pick one thing about this song that is good. From Party’s quick cameo, to the flow, to the story, or adlibs reminiscent of every Diddy song in the 90’s and 2000’s. If there is stand out line it has to be: “First you over dedicate, the you notice that you great/ And you been the whole time then it slap you in yo face.” Break that one down for yourself. 

The album has a lot of high notes within it but “Dedication” is a true gem. Kendrick Lamar dropped a verse on this content driven song to help create a diamond. To tackle every single thing included in this track could be an essay within itself. But there are a few deeply rooted messages within it that transpire through both of Nipsey’s verses and Kendrick’s lone verse. Foremost, the “dedication” to follow ones dreams. This idea feeds into stagnation in association with deprivation of opportunities within the black community. Nipsey spoke of his tenacity to grow while paying homage to Tupac Shakur. He references the “blue pill in the fuckin’ Matrix” to symbolize how easy it is to remain in the false reality of the inability to change ones life. Nipsey further explained that even he fell into this societal trap. He was at a loss for direction when no “platforms” were left to showcase his talents. Kendrick’s verse described the societal norms he encountered growing up but was able to escape due to him spending his “whole life thinkin’ out the box.” A prime example of this was his making of the song with Nipsey Hussle, a member of the Rollin’ 60’s Neighborhood Crips, while he himself is affiliated with Ganger Disciples and Bloods. Lamar’s focus was on the “words out [Nipsey’s] lips/ About flourishing from the streets to black businesses[.]” This example of life being bigger that “deuces and fours” is prime in segueing into oppression upon the black community. Nipsey cited that his songs are “spirituals” made with intentions of going against the “waves” and “white crackers.” Kendrick gave credit to the ability to communicate with other influential members of his community as movement in the right direction. Either way, the message is “to make it happen, you got to have it/ Dedication.”

Nipsey explained the reason for the creation of “Blue Laces 2” was seeing LeBron James listening to the original “Blue Laces” before his eventual championship run. He also credits Big Reese and the producers of the original track. In an interview with NPR, Hussle said to himself after laying down the final verse, “You was utilized by some higher power today.” And in an interview with Elliot Wilson and B Dot, he said that after completing the third verse, the album was complete. The song is a three fold tier. The first verse presented the norms he was accustomed to and his ideas to break the generational curses. What this looks like is having people live long enough to see changes and him using his influence to gain access to ways to uplift his community. The second tier and verse provided access to what his influence provided him with such as “city council meetin’, they got Hussle speaking’” and “billion dollar project ‘bout to crack cement.” All these accessed avenues were strategically meant to improve his neighborhood. The third verse was the flashback to life before the access. It was a life filled with blood and danger where the only goal was to be “finally respected.” The song is a backwards evolution chart in remembrance that everything was done “dressed in blue laces.”

“Hussle & Motivate” is a play on the late rapper’s name but also an expression of his work ethic. The song contrasted living life in Crenshaw with the perception of growing up in Crenshaw. It is perceived that those in these neighborhood would rather engage in illegal activities rather than work their way up. Nipsey disagrees stating, “Honest attempt, play him to the left/ Judge a young nigga by the address/ Left us with no option, what they expect?” It was the sideways glances and write-offs that motivated Hussle to achieve. Now his name is connected with a plethora of ventures created to uplift his community. He may have done things on both sides of the law but he didn’t “do this for nothin’, nah.”

“When me and Buddy together on a record, it’s gonna be called ‘Status Symbol’ from now on,” Hussle said in an interview with NPR. “Status Symbol 3” was meant to sound like music to cruise to. It is a track based on “reflection” of making it to the top. The second verse was tailored in remembrance of Nipsey’s past, citing the thing that what made him move at a “different frequency” than those around him was the fact that he “never felt the satisfaction” of shooting at other “black men.” The first verse was meant to give advice to those that come after him. Buddy’s chorus is a culmination of the thoughts that one might face while on the ride. 

Nipsey derails from his business and community inspired lyrics in “Succa Proof.” The song was meant to check those that would claim to live the life of a gang banger or present themselves as gang members. Nip deaded all of that immediately. He “don’t give a fuck” about anything. In “Keyz 2 the City 2,” Nipsey explained why all the fake fronting amounts to nothing. While others claim the gangster lifestyle for publicity sake, Nip understood the key difference in the line, “Niggas died, niggas disappear, alibis, I was really there.” He actually struggled picking a lifestyle to stick with. He “focused” himself on the idea that his life and the life of those around him were meant to bring productivity to their city. That is where the “metric” lays. 

In that same interview with NPR, Hussle said, “I told Murda Beatz I needed something for the club.” Thus, “Grinding All My Life” was born. Sonically, it does sound like something that a group of friends would belt along to in the club. Contextually, Nip narrated his come up as being a self-taught hustler who touched millions. As representation of this come up, he made sure to let the world know that the story featuring 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather is undoubtably fact.

“Million While You Young” emphasizes the progression Nipsey engaged in from street hustler, to a hustler within the music industry, to a hustler through reinvestment in the same streets he grew up in. The song commemorated the victory he felt in touching his first million dollars. That first million wasn’t acquired through legal activities but it was the feeling of being able to touch that million coming from nothing that stuck with Nipsey. It was that same motivation to get the million that he undertook in all his projects. Because that was possible, it made everything else he did possible. 

He told the story in “Loaded Bases” about sitting across “sharks” making “negotiations” but before that, it came down to a decision. After his first million from the streets, Nip had to decide wether his hustle would remain in the streets or he would put in the work he needed to cultivate his talent. His story began with him sitting on his “Lincoln.” It was a reality check by the late MC about how he would never see a hundred million from the streets. He predicted the only thing to come of his continued involvement would be “end[ing] up in somebody precinct” or “laid off in a hearse.” “I weighted the risk and the reward and seen the scale tippin’.” It was the music game from then on. It was that moment that the world has to thank for creating the Nipsey Hussle we still mourn. 

The album finalizes with “Real Big” as a continuation of the previous song. The song celebrated Nipsey Hussle’s entire journey to the top. It was about where he came from and the lessons he learned in amounting to who he was. The two verses compliment each other as past and present with Nip as the narrator of his story. From the streets to “out in Copenhagen spendin’ Euros[.]” Everything he knew was due to the faith he had in himself and the faith he placed in the higher power to direct him to the right path. 

It took hard work and dedication. It took hustle and motivation. It took praise to the most high. Victory Lap was Nipsey Hussle coming around one more time to appreciate it all after he’d done it all.