On March 31, 2019 the world suddenly seemed to stop as we all mourned Grammy nominated rapper, entrepreneur, activist, community leader, and legend—Nipsey Hussle. As an artist, Hussle was an undeniable talent and constantly fed us inspirational, motivational, and truthful lyrics. His desire to uplift his community and those around him is what sparked a positive change not only in his neighborhood, but globally as well.
One thing Nipsey Hussle was big on was the idea of investing (which he did in his community), saving, and making money. His lyrics blessed several fans with the blueprint that steered listeners from life in the streets to making money for yourself—the legal way. Since the drop of his first mixtape in 2005 Slauson Boy Volume 1, his trajectory of knowledge motivated every hustler on the corner and gave them hope for a better lifestyle.
The west-coast rapper’s latest project and debut album Victory Lap, taught us all some extremely valuable lessons about making money, investing and saving. Nipsey was extremely big on financial freedom and projected that through his lyrics.
Here are 5 money making lesson’s Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap taught us:
1.“Taught you how to charge more than what they pay for you n****s/Own the whole thang for you n****s/Reinvest, double up, then explain for you n****s.” from Last Time That I Checc’d (feat. YG)
The Breakdown: Since Nipsey’s start in the rap industry, he’s always promoted ownership to all people, not just rappers. One of his goals was to constantly teach and remind artists of their worth, and to not accept what anyone (labels included) are claiming they are willing to offer them. Nipsey Hussle also practiced what he preached, and accomplished it on another level of rap and fame, and continuously shared that knowledge with those around him.
2.“They told me if I want it, gotta hustle for it/Only difference now, the money more mature.” From Young N***a (feat. Puff Daddy)
The Breakdown: Hussle speaks to us about the fact that he never waited for a handout from anyone—if he wanted it, he did whatever it took to get it, whether that was hustling on his block in his neighborhood, or buying up the entire block (doing it the legal way)—he always made sure he got what he wanted and needed. He then references how now all of the things he worked so hard to get and prayed for are finally coming to fruition, and although he still had to hustle to get it, he did it the legal way and made more money than he would’ve doing it illegally.
3.“They ain’t see in due time, I be making mil’s/ Bossed up in this game, I been making deals.” From Victory Lap (feat. Stacy Barthe)
The Breakdown: Nipsey hints that those around him who didn’t believe in his vision didn’t realize he’d be making millions one day. As Nipsey states, he bossed up (handled business) in the rap industry and signed and made several deals to get to where he is today as well as the millions he’s made.
4.“F**k living basic, I’m taking risks/ F**k what they saying, I’m saying this/ Don’t waste your time, it don’t make you rich/ It don’t mean nothing, so f**k’em, let’s make a grip.” from Hussle & Motivate
The Breakdown: Nipsey Hussle refuses to live an unfulfilled lifestyle, so he’s willing to take the risks in order to live out a lavish and enjoyable lifestyle. Regardless of what anyone says or does, he refuses to allow them to dictate his decisions. Hussle also believes that time is money, and when you aren’t being productive and doing things to better yourself and your vision, then you’re wasting your time. Time wasted means absolutely nothing and does no good for anyone, so why not make money instead.
5.“Tryna double up/ Three or four times, I ain’t telling no lies, I just run it up/ Never let a hard time humble us.” from Double Up (feat. Belly & Dom Kennedy)
The Breakdown: One of Nipsey Hussle’s main focus was to always reinvest what you make. He hinted at that when he stated, “double up, there or four times…” Nipsey Hussle constantly invested in his community by buying back his entire block, creating a STEM workspace (Vector 90), and several other community led projects. He believed that your struggle shouldn’t define your life, and although you may be struggling or experiencing a hard time, use it as a humbling experience and learn from it.
“The game is going to test you, never fold. Stay ten toes down. It’s not on you, it’s in you, and what’s in you—they can’t take away.” – Nipsey Hussle
