Nipsey Hussle aka Thundercat. Businessman. Entrepreneur. Rapper. Slauson and Crenshaw representative. A artist I've been listening to since the summer of 2008. It's safe to say I've witnessed his come up from being broke to being a millionaire. It's rare to see a Rollin 60's gang member become a entrepreneur but he pulled it off. The path he took was a rare one and it may not suit a lot of people but you can learn a few things from his journey.

THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU. GO HARD.

As I mentioned above Nipsey was apart of The Rollin 60's Crip gang. He already was living in the hood so that's already rough and joining a gang definitely lowered his chances of survival and making it out of poverty. Jail was the other risk of course. He got caught up and had to do time in jail when he was released he focused on rapping full time. He put hustling to the back burner. It meant that his money would take a hit too. He made the sacrifice. He would have to go back to being broke and generate all his money to studio equipment and other things needed to focus on his passion. He bet on himself and he bet the house. It obviously payed off because look at him today. You're going to run into obstacles. You're going to be down bad, whether it's staying at your parents house and stacking up money or working a job you hate to invest money into your passion. It's going to suck. People will doubt you, even your loved ones. The odds will be against you. Just go the fuck in and handle your business.

DON'T HAVE PEOPLE AROUND JUST HANGING.

Nipsey started to rise and he had his homies doing things. He put them on. He didn't have them around just hanging around, partying, enjoying his success. He gave them jobs and gave them opportunities to make money for themselves. If they can't contribute to your operation then you do not need them around. Keep them at a distance. This goes for friends, family, whatever. You need assets not liabilities.

FUCK THE MIDDLEMAN

Nipsey got a record deal. A huge step in his music career. After a few years and no album he decided to demand a release from his contract. I'm sure he thought it makes no sense to sit and wait on label decisions, let them get a percentage of his hard work, and pay them for resources that he already had access to without their help. He chose to go independent. Fuck the middleman and turn yourself into the plug.

THEY THINK YOU'RE CRAZY. YOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT.

Nipsey followed the formula of the Philadelphia Restaurant Barclay Prime who sells the $100 cheesesteak and started the "Proud 2 Pay" campaign where he was selling physical copies of his album "Crenshaw" for $100 each. People thought he was insane. They said no one will buy it. It was something a record label would NEVER attempt even with musical icons. He took the risk and worked in Nipsey's favor. He upped the ante and sold physical copies of "Mailbox Money" at $1000 a piece and he sold over 60 copies and counting. We all have ideas and visions. People will think you're crazy for attempting to see them through and that means you may be on the right path. You might be crazy but who cares. If you feel it's beneficial to what you're doing, do that shit. The payout is just that much sweeter when you pull it off.

YOU JUST NEED ONE LOYAL WOMAN

As we all know Nipsey has been dating Actress Lauren London for the last couple of years. Their business isn't out in the streets. They stay low and support each other. He has a goal oriented loyal woman by his side. You just need your business and one good woman. You'll be straight.

KNOWLEDGE IS KEY

I've seen a lot of artists of all genres. Nipsey Hussle is probably one the most knowledgable artist I've ever seen. People would never think a man a part of a gang would be so well spoken and knowledgable. They judge a book by it's cover basically. He understands that he needs the knowledge for everything he's apart of whether it's gangs, music, business, whatever he pursues. I've seen interviews where he drops so much knowledge and it's very inspiring to see. He's obviously a man you are not going to hustle. He is prepared for whatever endeavor he chooses to be apart of. Learn and study what you're aspiring to be apart of. Knowledge is your greatest asset. Always be ready. If you have knowledge you already have half of the victory.

NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU COME FROM

I'm from St.Louis and Los Angeles is like my 2nd home. I've been on Slauson and Crenshaw. It's real. They love Nipsey. He gives back to the neighborhood where he's from. He has his clothing store on Slauson and his brother runs it. Some people can't even go back home but I've never heard a bad word about Nipsey on Slauson. He's respected because he respects where he comes from. He comes back and interacts with the community and that's very important for the youth to see. Never forget where you come from. It's apart of your fabric. I made you. Take it with you everywhere you go.

Remember, All Money In.

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