Many of us like to hear gangsta shit in songs. Most rappers know that the bravado sells. It sells even more when there is a rags to riches story behind it. If you are a G that was able to circumvent the harsh, and heavily tilted towards failure, realities of the inner city, you are given high praise and high respect. This could be the reason why even icons like Jay Z still always give a tinge of street-ology to make sure you never forget that he was once a gangsta – the shit sells well. However, for younger rappers who have not fully made the transition from the streets to full civilian life, or who are still immersed in the streets because they want to give back, flirting with gangsta codes in songs and affiliating with unwavering street dudes could be detrimental. Nipsey was like a ghetto messiah – he explained corporate and global disruptive paradigms into street lingo – and it was catching on. He was beloved in his community and the trail he was blazing seemed destined to lead to black empowerment in his neighborhood and neighborhoods like his. It is so sad that the street element that gave him so much legitimacy is the same factor that took his life. It is all so senseless and has to stop. We will forever rep Nipsey and his legacy will not die. The MARATHON continues.
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