My Letter To Nipsey: "Your Music Helped Inspire Me And Keeps Me Going"
With the tragic death of one of Hip Hop’s icons, staff writer James Teague pens an open letter to Nipsey Hussle, discussing the impact the music has had on his life and millions around the world!
By: James Teague
Throughout my 28 years of living, I was never the type that cried over a celebrity’s death. It just wasn’t my style. I managed to handle such celeb deaths such as Bernie Mac, Michael Jackson, & most recently, Mac Miller. For the most part I’ve gained an idea of how I’m able to handle death simply because it is simply part of the life process. However, with your passing this past Sunday evening, things really hit different for me. I was in the middle of recording my Upcoming podcast when I had got the news. I was shocked and didn’t know how to feel about the incident and when a picture of your body popped up on my Twitter time line, I got sick. I could only pray and wish for the best for you. But then God called you home and that tore the entire team up.
For the first time ever, I found myself locked in a bathroom crying and shedding tears over your death. This incident came as a complete left turn that just ruined my entire productive Sunday. It was so crazy for me realizing and seeing myself crying over your death because it was as if I had lost a family member/mentor. Your music has helped shaped my way of thinking and has gotten me through the tough years in my life. I was introduced to your music back in 2009 when “Hussle in the House” dropped. I was intrigued by the energy you were spreading on that record and had me thinking you was the spawn of Snoop Dogg.
That following year I followed you on your new Mixtape “The Marathon” and that mixtape played a pivotal role during my sophomore year in College. Your music along with all of the other peers that was involved in the “Blog Era” helped play a huge role in me growing into becoming the Man that I am today. The one song that stood out the most to me from your mixtape was “Bigger than Life,” the final cut that played right after “I Don’t Give a Fuck.” At that time, I couldn’t completely comprehend all of the things you were saying on that record, however I knew and understood that everything you were speaking on came from a place of sincerity. That was the day I really had became a fan of your music.
Your whole entire catalog has played a tremendous role in my life as I was transitioning from college kid to college graduate to young adult making his way through life. Your coming out party to the world was the infamous “Crenshaw” mixtape hosted by DJ Drama, which is probably one of my top favorite projects from you ever right next to Victory Lap the album. I remember during this time period I was fresh out of college working in my moms office while just starting off my freelance writing career writing for Elite Daily. I remember when you were talking about the “Proud to Pay” campaign, we all were nuts for thinking what we thought because it was so out of the ordinary and out of the box. Me personally I was intrigued by this but wasn’t sure what to expect from charging your CD $100.
Nipsey Hussle - Crenshaw Blvd
But sure enough you stuck with your guns and when the music was officially released, it did the proper numbers it was supposed to. You even had Jay-Z show his support by buying 100 copies of your CD. It just goes to show that real recognizes real and he saw the potential in you from jump street. As a Black Creative that’s still working towards creating a plan that matches the vision of where I see my life trajectory, your music has helped inspire me and keeps me going through this Marathon we call life. Giving us free game, telling us to trust the process and trust our gut and to have the upmost faith in ourselves and what we do.
Throughout these years leading up to God calling you home, you’ve shaped yourself into becoming the example of what a strong powerful black man is supposed to be and for that I’m forever grateful for you giving all of us the gems we needed to hear. It sucks that you were taken away from us so soon because you were JUST starting to get into your prime. From being fresh off go a Grammy Nomination for your classic debut album Victory Lap to releasing your new single Racks in the Middle with Roddy Rich and also working on creating a collaborative effort with Meek Mill. You also were focusing a lot more on building your community up through new business ventures.
God bless your family, especially Lauren London and your kids because they really need to be surrounded by as much love as possible. Nipsey you may no longer be here with us in the physical form but through your music, interviews and wise words spoken, your spirit will forever live on in us. I think I can speak for all creatives and entrepreneurs affected by this death when I say we HAVE to continue keeping your legacy alive through our work and endeavors. More than ever now, it’s up to us to really focus and shape ourselves into discovering our potential and putting our best foot down in our endeavors. Either way it goes, The Marathon continues for us and we’re going to hold you down and celebrate your life by picking up where you left off. Long Live Neighborhood Nip !!!
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Bow Wow Opening Up About Lean Addiction Is A Message We Need To Hear
Bow Wow opens up about lean addiction and how it influenced him and Omarion during 2007 while working on their Face Off album.
“That shit is not cool and I was doing it to be cool”
By: Omar Cook
With the recent passing of rapper/producer Mac Miller, Bow Wow took to twitter to shed light on his own addiction issues. He talked about a time in 2007 while he was making the Face Off album with Omarion and how lean addiction consumed his everyday activities. Bow Wow being straight forward about his addiction issues is not only a testimony to survival, but a telling truth about the problems of addiction that people deal with.
“That shit is not cool and I was doing it to be cool” said Bow Wow. Bow also admitted to almost dying because of this. The pressure to fit in in certain situations or to cope with certain things can push you to resort to drugs which is definitely not the way to go. People need to start thinking for themselves but also having self love is important as well being comfortable enough to talk about their issues before jumping to the extreme.
Social media is always on Bow Wow’s head for something he’s doing but we applaud you for telling your truths Bow. This is a much needed message, that someone out there could use.
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Drake and Meek Mill Squashing Their Beef Is What Hip Hop Needed
Drake and Meek Mill hit the stage together in Boston to squash a longtime beef! We discuss it here!
“We need more peace in the world, we need more love in the world. Meek Mill that’s my brother, that’s my nigga from day one”
By: Omar Cook
Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige fought at Diddy's house in the Hamptons. Cardi B and Nicki Minaj got physical during fashion week. Mac Miller was found dead in his home. In what has been a week full of unforeseen storylines in the hip hop world, add this one to the list. Drake and Meek Mill just ended their beef. Wild.
Drake and Meek Mill Squash Beef In Boston
Drake hit the stage in Boston for a stop on his Aubrey and the Three Migos tour Saturday night, and in the plot twists of all plot twists, Drake brought out Meek Mill to perform Dreams and Nightmares. "We need more peace in the world, we need more love in the world. Meek Mill that's my brother, that's my nigga from day one" Drake said on stage. This what hip hop needed!
Drake and Meek have been beefing since 2015 when Meek accused Drake of having ghostwriters to write his songs. Meek also had an issue with Drake not shouting out Meek’s Dreams Worth More Than Money album, Since then, the beef has been fueled with a bevy of diss tracks.
A surprising as this is, it's only fitting that this beef has come to end because Meek has been filled with a new energy since his release from prison. The rapper has been on a mission to fight for criminal justice reform since his release and holding onto a petty rap beef would just be a distraction to the cause. Drake really doesn't need anymore beef as he already went at it with Pusha T to kick off the summer.
Will this mean we will see some music between the two artists in the future? Time will tell, but or now we can just enjoy the black unity.
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J. Cole Posts Much Needed Message To The Music Industry In Light Of Mac Miller Death
J Cole Posts Much Needed Message To The Music Industry In Light Of Mac Miller Death
By: Omar Cook
We all heard the unfortunate news of the passing of talented rapper and producer, Mac Miller. Mac Miller passed away due to a drug overdose at the young age of 26. There were millions of tweets celebrating the rappers life, but one in particular stood out and that was from J Cole. His tweet and Miller's death brings attention to the ugly truths that some people deal with, and thats the overuse of drugs. Drug culture and using drugs to cope with certain things is a bigger issue than a lot of people realize.
Instead of dealing with issues head on, a lot of people turn to drugs rather than talking to friends or family about their problems. Drug use is over glorified in hip hop culture and honestly that needs to change. J. Cole touched on the subject on his recent album KOD with his song "Friends." Listen to it below.
J. Cole - “Friends” Music Video
Unfortunately, a lot of times we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget to check up on friends and family and don't realize they're going through something. Particularly, in the black community, mental health is an issue that often isn't taken seriously and people lack the courage to speak up and get help for their issues. Drug use is the easy way out, but unfortunately it doesn't always end up with the best results.
If you're battling with an issue, think about who you can talk to before turning to a hardcore drug that will do nothing more than suppress the feelings for a limited time. And if you know you haven't reached out to your loved ones the way you need to, you never know if they're needing someone to talk to and you can change that person's life.
Mac Miller will forever be remembered for the dope music that he gave us but his death will also serve a purpose that drug use is an issue that needs to dealt with. Thank you for the music and may you rest in peace.
Meet James Teague, contributing writer to 247 Live Culture!