When I first moved to Los Angeles about seven years ago, I was immediately welcomed by the Hip-Hop community. From publicists like Echo Hattix and Greg Miller that offered me interview opportunities, to DJs like Carisma and Dre Sinatra that invited me to events, I was welcomed with open arms.
I was going out every night, covering events thrown by my homies Woo, Sean Dickerson and Gary Blackout and I was interviewing everyone from Snoop to YG. I was loving life, smoking the best weed and all the risks I had taken were well worth it. If I wasn’t on the computer, I was in the clubs, at a clothing store pop-up or in the studio with a client. It was 2012 and even as a newcomer and outsider to LA,I could feel so much was happening for the LA rap scene.
I had begun to dabble in PR seriously by then and within my first year of living in LA, I was regularly visiting my client TeeFlii’s studio over on Highland in Hollywood. It was originally Charlie Chaplin’s old production studio, but now it had been converted into a lab and everyone was in there. I was fortunate enough to be working with TeeFlii during his early Annieruo’tay projects and because I worked with him doors were opening left and right everyday at that studio. I have to thank Ali, TeeFlii’s manager for bringing me into the fold, he was essential and did so much for me. AND he always had the best best herb – probably still does. Working there I landed interviews with a host of rising artists like Casey Veggies, Mike n Keys (The Futuristiks), Skeme and many others.
I would see members of TeeFlii and Nipsey’s crew around the studio from time to time and I had the opportunity to ask them questions as they embraced me and educated me on the culture out here. It was funny to them and we all joked about all the misconceptions that people have about the 60’s and Crenshaw. Those blue Crenshaw crewnecks with the yellow lettering carried a weight that let you know they were rolling deep. NOBODY was f**king with them.
I was coming from Texas and things were a lot different in Cali, so I had to adapt and learn. For starters, the weed was stronger, I had to pace myself. Then the music was completely different production-wise and the tone and street lingo was all the way different. This was not the 90’s era of LA Hip-Hop, this was a whole new era. Along with bits of info from TeeFlii’s manager, Ali, I was getting educated every time I stepped in the building. On any given night I would see the likes of DJ Quik, Dom Kennedy, Casey Veggies, Skeme or even the late Nipsey Hussle gracing the hallways of that now renowned studio.
I’ll never forget the day I went to the studio to hear some new tracks from TeeFlii and DJ Quik answered the door with a duo of ladies clinging champagne glasses. I was in shock – it was the legendary DJ Quik – one of the greatest producers of all time and he was so damn cool.He answered the door all nonchalant like, “Whats good!?” Before I knew it, Quik had invited me into the studio for a quick lesson on the MPC. We talked about Roger Troutman and his recording techniques for a few and then Ali came to get me to meet with TeeFlii. The Highland studio had that legendary kind of vibe.
Things would happen there in the studio one time and it could never be duplicated. One night I got an exclusive preview of Casey Veggies Life Changes project with Dom, Mike n Keys and few others and boy was it smoked out. I vaguely remember Nipsey was closing out a session as we were going in the session that day, and I remember him having great things to say about Casey’s new project. I’ll also never forget hearing that “H-Town” track a few years before it was released featuring Cobby Supreme, Dom Kennedy, TeeFlii and Skeme. It would later appear on Nipsey’s Crenshaw album and I feel so blessed to have been around that energy early on in my career here in LA. There was serious talent out here and I was blessed to witness it.
I didn’t know Nipsey personally, but I did meet him on several occasions. I can faithfully say he influenced my move to LA with The Marathon Continues album and I wish I had a chance to tell him that. I never wanted to sound like a stan, but he was one of my favorites. I remember riding around to that album with my boy Brian Keith before I even left Texas for California feeling so inspired. I remember thinking, “I gotta get out to LA – I’m gonna do this sh*t.” Nipsey gave me that motivation like, “What are you waiting for my n***a, go out and get that sh*t. Hussle.”
Now I’m here looking back, sad that Nipsey is gone but also grateful that I saw first hand how he impacted the city and those around him. His show at the Palladium last year was truly one of the most EPIC homecoming rap concerts I’ve ever seen and I was proud of my homie DJ VIP finally getting to see him in action. I didn’t try to get backstage passes, on that night I was a fan. The show was packed and there were so many highlights, but when Dom came out for that “Checc Me Out” single…. all I can say is if you love Hip-Hop it gave you goosebumps.
Nipsey x Dom pic.twitter.com/3xFm7vvjrA
— onlinecrates.com (@JakeCrates) April 1, 2019
That show was like an unwritten scene out of Paid in Full. Nipsey had proven that he was king of the city. Now it feels like a coward like Rico or Ice took out Nipsey and there’s no bringing him back. Yes we can live how he would want us to, giving back to our communities and being our best, but Los Angeles is worse off without him. Hip-Hop as a culture lost big on this one.
I will never forget this tragedy. I will never forget this devilish character taking out one of our leaders. I will forever be hurt by this past week and I don’t know when I will come to terms with where we are as a community. There has to be a change. I know my pain is nowhere near what Nipsey’s family feels, but it still hurts. The crazy thing is, I can hear that pain in so many people’s voices and the energy is different in every conversation I have. I have no more words, just hope for the Hip-Hop culture’s future leaders.
Rest in peace Nipsey. You were prolific and you will be missed by many.
🏁The Marathon Continues. 🏁
