I was feeling off balance and depressed yesterday folllowing the senseless murder of Nipsey Hussle. The last time I felt this way was when Michael Jackson passed. With Michael (which lasted about a week), the shock was likely due to the fact that he was a superstar during my childhood and an icon for as long as I can remember. Eerie as it is, I sometimes randomly think of someone famous or close to me shortly before they pass. In Michael’s case, I literally thought: “Nah, he can’t die. That’s Michael Jackson.” Yes, I know it’s strange.
Nipsey’s death hit me very differently. He was a pure entrepreneur, and his music and philosophy pulled me through during my toughest times while building my business. I recall watching a video of him being interviewed in jail. With prision bars in the background, he spoke with authority–a “knowing” really–about having a vision and a plan to accomplish whatever you desire. The outpouring of love for Nipsey–surprisingly even by mainstream news outlets–shows that he was a true visionary, leader and stand-up individual. He accomplished SO much in his 33 years with us. There’s a time to mourn and reflect, but I think he’d want us all, especially us entrepreneurs, to get back on our grind and build our legacies. So that’s what I’m doing now. I’ll bang his music all day while my money and business is better, the same way I bumped his shit to motivate me at my lowest points in my journey. Victory Lap is for sure one of the musical backdrops for that period in my life when it felt like everything was against me and I felt like giving up. Rest up Nip…
