Don't Let Ignorance Tarnish Nipsey's Legacy

Rest in Paradise to Nipsey Hussle. I was literally on break at work, and saw on my timeline that Nipsey was shot six times. I was getting ready to read the details of what happened in the caption, but I accidentally scrolled too far to the next post and saw that he was confirmed deceased. My mouth was open. I was truly shocked. Nipsey Hussle is a legend. Definitely a positive symbol within the black community.

This is what I wanted to speak on: I was on Twitter, and I saw this tweet, and it really set me off. A “fan” of Nipsey tweeted “All of a sudden y’all nipsey hussle fans?”

Someone clapped back saying “Y’all niggas really weird, a black man was taken away from his family and you worried who was a fan or not?”

Now, I am a firm believer of giving someone their flowers while they are still alive. It is extremely important to value the life of the people you care about while they are still here with you. However, why do people feel the need to prove their loyalty or prove that they were a day one fan of somebody? What are you gaining from this? Seriously? Why are you on Twitter trying to filter out who Nipsey Hussle’s fans are? The entire situation of him dying is horrific. People sending their condolences does not mean that they are automatically jumping the bandwagon to be a Nipsey Hussle fan. Someone killed this man, outside of his own store. People’s reactions are based on how evil the situation is.

Unfortunately, I have seen this way of thinking way too many times. Every time an artist loses their life, this is the narrative that is being said. Why?! I have seen this type of energy being displayed for: Mac Miller, XXX Tentacion, Shawty Lo, Bankroll Fresh, etc. I sincerely need people to stop doing this. The man has 5 million Instagram followers. His last album was Grammy nominated. Nipsey was a very popular figure prior to his untimely passing. I just need people to kill this type of mentality. It is so unnecessary and so tacky.

Now I am going to keep it real. I personally did not listen to Nipsey Hussle’s music. I honestly cannot name one Nipsey Hussle song. I know of Nipsey for his activism. Every time I heard Nipsey Hussle’s name in the news it was for something positive. Nipsey was scheduled to have a meeting with the LA Police Commissioner to talk about ways to end gang violence. Nipsey was a part of a team of artists and entrepreneurs responsible for developing Destination Crenshaw a museum devoted to honoring black people’s artistic achievements. I knew of his Marathon store in California, but what I did not know was the basic need shop and the barbershop Nipsey opened right next to his store. Nipsey employed former “convicts” to work in his businesses because it is difficult for people that have served jail time to find a job. Nipsey was also producing a documentary on Dr. Sebi, the man that allegedly found a cure for HIV and Cancer. So I am a fan of Nipsey because I stan influential black men that make positive strides to increase advancement in the black community.

I will personally make it my mission to get into his music. I am not going to start claiming to be a die-hard Nipsey fan, but I will research his music and demonstrate support. Streaming his music will benefit his estate; all the money will go toward him since Nipsey owns his masters of recording. Also, I will definitely purchase a piece of merchandise from his store online. His products in Marathon are expensive (no cap), but I am supporting a Black Owned Business; that is something I will continue doing no matter what.

In conclusion, we have to stop allowing ignorance to be acceptable. Again, rest In Peace Nipsey. You are gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten.