The Medal Ceremony: Nipsey’s Life After Death
Celebrating Nipsey Hussle’s posthumous verses.
5. Perfect Ten
DJ Mustard ft. Nipsey Hussle (2019)
“N*ggas die everyday, can’t control that”
This song will demand your attention the second that you press play. Nip’s casual cadence compliments the soft chords. The lack of drums is curious enough to bring you to the edge of your seat and coax you into catching every bar.
Nipsey challenges the toxic traits that pervade hip-hop culture. He encourages a selfless moral complex rather than the stereotypical self-indulgence that is preached in rap. He speaks directly to you, imparting his wisdom without putting himself on a pedestal.
This song was a Perfect Ten - it embodied everything that he stood for - modest but very powerful.
4. Rich N***a Lifestyle
Rick Ross ft. Nipsey Hussle & Teyana Taylor (2019)
“Rich gang bangers, y’all ain’t even know they make those”
In sharp contrast from Perfect Ten, Nipsey naturally gets more boastful on this Rick Ross feature. He matches Ross’ confidence and composure while maintaining his nonchalance. The verse is mostly memorable for its culturally relevant quotables that will live forever.
“Can’t name a fake n*gga that was not exposed, How y’all n*ggas so surprised that Tekashi told?” - He rapped months before the Tekashi69’s trial even began.
“Courtside going viral when them punches thrown” - Nip recalled being on standby during a brawl between the the Rockets and the Lakers.
3. Deep Reverence
Big Sean ft. Nipsey Hussle (2020)
“F*ck rap, I’m a street legend”
In the first six words of the song, Nipsey prophetically declares himself a street legend. He acknowledges that his influence in rap pales into comparison to his influence in his community. Ironically, he then goes on to rap better than 90% of the industry.
His classic off-bar flow blended perfectly into Hit-Boy’s drum patterns. He carried the same multisyllabic rhyme scheme throughout his entire verse effortlessly. Nip showed off his technical skill, yet still delivered a digestible verse that was one of the best of 2020.
2. Welcome Home
The Game ft. Nipsey Hussle (2019)
“Probably die up in these streets but I’ll survive through my name”
That ominous quote is the most haunting one from any of Nipsey’s posthumous verses. The instrumental is very full until Nip’s verse, where the drums drop out for dramatic effect.
We lost one of the few great storytellers that we had left. Nipsey used this Game feature to revisit his come-up as a starving artist. His vivd imagery places the listener in the streets of Los Angeles in the late 2000’s. The hunger in his voice would lead you to believe that this verse was recorded back then.
As the verse closes and the instrumental fades, any fan of Nipsey Hussle would get chills from this near-perfect reflection of his prolific career.
What it Feels Like
Nipsey Hussle and Jay Z (2021)
“The only reason I survive, cause a n*gga is special”
It’s true. Nipsey is special and his name will survive forever. This verse is number one because it sounds like a celebration. He won the marathon, he took his victory lap, and now he is at the medal ceremony receiving his gold.
It comes in the form of a Jay-Z collaboration - easily the most sought out feature in hip-hop. Jay and Nip deliver celebratory bars over triumphant production. It feels perfect - like every peak and valley of Nip’s career has culminated with this moment. Yet…
The Marathon Continues
