by Jordan Suber
When you think of an artist dropping a debut album, you don’t really think of a Rapper who has been in the game for 10+ years. Nipsey Hustle finally released his first studio album and it is a street anthem. This album does not disappoint in the least bit. With the lead single “Rap N****s” you knew the album was going to be nothing but fire. This lead single has many quotable lines. I do not promote violence but the chorus in particular is very catchy, it is edited:
“I ain’t nothin’ like you f***** rap n*****
Hussle man a shooter, that’s a fact, n*****
Thirty-two, extendos in my MAC, n*****
Spend a thousand on some t-shirts up at Saks, n*****
I ain’t nothin’ like you f***** rap n*****
Hussle man a shooter that’s a fact, n*****
Thirty-two, extendos in my MAC, n*****
Spend a thousand on some t-shirts up at Saks, n*****”
This song is very explicit. With this song alone he does separate himself from the other rappers in the industry. He has release a few mixtapes as the years went. However, how many rappers who have been in the industry for 10+ years haven’t released an album solidifying their place in the rap game? Nipsey Hustle is just as relevant now as he was in the past. This is the lead single, but this is also my one of my favorite songs on the album.
Track 3 “Last time that I Checc’d” is another one of my favorite songs. This song is bigger than what is being said in the song. Featured on this song is YG. For those who may not know YG is a blood from Compton. The reason this is significant because Nipsey Hustle is a Crip from Compton YG which stands for “Young Gangsta” represents the “Tree Top Piru” gang while Nipsey Hustle represent the “Rollin’ 60’s Neighborhood Crips”. This is so monumental and easily one of my favorite songs as two members from opposing factions teamed up to make music. This may not seem like much for some but being raised in a home with gang members and being around their afflictions this is unheard of. One line that resonated with me was
“Aye Nip, I remember all that game you taught me”
The reason this line resonated with me is because, to me this line means YG and Nipsey Hustle have a friendship. For Nipsey to have taught YG something and for YG to give him his props are huge. This doesn’t surprise me. Recently in an interview with Billboard Nipsey Hustle confirmed that he is indeed working on a joint mixtape with YG. Maybe this mixtape can help curb gang violence? Whatever the two have in store it will be great.
Track 5 “Dedication” Nipsey makes a huge claim “2Pac of my generation…” Again this may not be a huge claim to most that do not follow the Hip-Hop/Rap industry. However 2pac was a legend. 2pac was a visionary, a leader, and a talented lyricist. 2pac had the career that most people dream of. 2pac to this day has hundreds maybe thousands of unreleased music With 5 Posthumous studio albums, he is considered the God of rap. His murder is one of the most talked about unsolved murder. To compare yourself to someone of his stature is a big claim. Now-a-days everyone claim they are their generation’s 2pac. No-one has lived up to this claim yet. This album is a good album however in my opinion Nipsey Hustle still has to prove himself.
This album is a refreshing break from some of the music that is being released today. Nipsey Hustle does separate himself from rappers today. He is nothing like Lil Uzi Vert’s or 21 savage. Nipsey Hustle has a story to tell and this album is just one piece of the puzzle. Overall this is a great album. If you are a fan of gangsta rap you need to give this album a listen.
