Released: 2013
Label: All Money In No Money Out, Inc
Featuring: The Game, Cobby Supreme, Yung Brodee, Kid Cali, Drake, Question?, Rimpau, June Summers
Los Angeles-based rapper, Nipsey Hussle, dropped his debut compilation, ‘Nip Hussle the Great: Vol. 1’ in 2013, kicking off a seismic shift in the hip-hop landscape. This album, released by All Money In No Money Out, Inc, is a work forged in the crucible of experience, with every bar echoing the weight of Nipsey’s street-bred wisdom. The lyrics navigate the complexity of life, from the ominous reality of gang affiliation to the relentless pursuit of wealth. Featuring artists such as The Game, Cobby Supreme, Yung Brodee, Kid Cali, Drake, Question?, Rimpau, and June Summers, the album marries hard-hitting narratives with soul-stirring features. From ‘Hussle in the House’ to ‘Change Tomorrow,’ this 13-track testament immortalizes Nipsey’s grind as he paints a vivid picture of a life surviving and thriving against all the odds. So let’s get into it. From the raw struggle to the triumphant victories, we are breaking down the album “Nip Hussle the Great: Vol. 1” by Nipsey Hussle.
1 Hussle in the House
Through a lens of street wisdom, the lyrics navigate the complexities of gang affiliation, the drive for wealth, and the inescapable violence of his environment. A standout line, “Straight off the block I sold dope to buy groceries, Now it’s rap money no advance it’s all royalties,” highlights Hussle’s transition from street hustling to legitimate success, laying bare the economic desperation that fuels the cycle of violence and ambition in neighborhoods like Slauson. This track is not just music; it’s a narrative of survival, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of prosperity against all odds.
2 They Roll
Features: The Game
Nipsey Hussle and The Game dive deep into the gritty reality of Los Angeles street life, painting a vivid picture of loyalty, survival, and the unending cycle of gang violence. Through their verses, they capture the essence of what it means to rep your colors, whether blue or red, and the life-and-death stakes of their everyday hustle. One standout line that hits hard is, “Blue bandanas, blue Dickies and a deuce fifth / Slauson ave ain’t the side you could choose with,” underscoring the perilous choice of allegiance in their world.
3 The Hussle Way
Nipsey doesn’t sugarcoat his experiences, delivering lines that hit hard with the raw truth of survival in the hood, like “It’s a coffin or a cell if you young and you black / With your name on it.” Through a blend of grim storytelling and a commitment to the hustle, Nipsey encapsulates the bittersweet essence of striving for success against the odds, all while staying true to one’s roots and navigating the dangers that come with the territory. This song stands as a testament to the hustle mentality, embracing the hard grind as not just a way of life, but a path to legacy.
4 Strapped
Features: Cobby Supreme
5 Ceo
Features: Yung Brodee, Kid Cali
Yung Brodee & Kid Cali)” encapsulates Nipsey Hussle’s gritty ascent from the streets of Slauson to the echelons of self-made success, asserting his dominance not just in the trap, but in the hustle of life. Nipsey, alongside Yung Brodee and Kid Cali, crafts a narrative of resilience, lavish living, and unapologetic ambition. A standout line, “Look I’m a all money in CEO, Witch means that fly money is the life I chose,” showcases Nipsey’s declaration of his path, chosen out of necessity and ambition, forging his empire with the mantra of self-reliance and grinding towards greatness.
6 Questions Freestyle
With lines like “Is you real or is you fake? / Do you sell a nigga dreams, or do you stand on what you say?” Hussle isn’t just rapping; he’s holding a mirror up to the game and its players, urging them to confront their truths. His probing questions slice through the facade of street life, uncovering the gritty realities of gang affiliation, loyalty, and the exhaustive pursuit of success. Nipsey’s lyrical mastery turns introspection into an art, highlighting the depth of his understanding of human nature and the complexities of the hustle.
7 All for tha Doe
Nipsey doesn’t just rap; he narrates a lifestyle where the pursuit of money, while perilous, is paramount. “I hussle, I Rob, I do it all for the dough. It’s all for the dough,” he declares, emphasizing survival in a system designed against him. Through the lens of his Slauson Avenue upbringing, Nipsey refuses to glamorize but rather presents a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to rise from the streets, making it clear that his actions, though questionable, are driven by a deep-seated need to overcome and succeed. This track is a manifesto of Nipsey’s resilience and ambition, a reminder of the harsh realities for many but also a testament to what hustle and determination can achieve.
8 Killer
Features: Drake
Featuring the smooth contributions of Drake, we’re served with a lyrical exploration of hustle, ambition, and legacy. Nipsey’s bars, “Before rap, my last name was my lifestyle / And when I visualize success, it look like right now,” hit hard, encapsulating his pre-fame grind and the reality of his dreams manifested. The track’s narrative shifts fluidly between past struggles and current triumphs, with both artists reflecting on their journey from the bottom to the pinnacle of success. Their synergy on this track isn’t just about flaunting wealth or status but resonates on a deeper level of achieving what was once deemed impossible, making “Killer” a testament to their relentless pursuit of greatness.
9 Blacc Ice
Features: Question?
10 Walk in My Shoes
Features: Yung Brodee, Rimpau
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11 Its Hard out Here
12 Rap Music
Features: June Summers
This track paints a vivid picture of the rapper’s evolution, driven by ambition and the desire to break free from the cycle of poverty. A standout line, “Took me off the block now my change is for life,” encapsulates the profound impact music has had on Nipsey’s path, not just as a career but as a lifeline altering his destiny. It’s a raw reflection on how the art of rap can serve as both a form of expression and a means to ascend beyond the harsh realities many face.
13 Change Tomorrow
Hustle and defiance pulse through every line, encapsulating the essence of his journey from the streets to stardom. His assertiveness is palpable as he proclaims, “I done made it out this right my cities crime rate…Probably my country probably this world,” spotlighting his belief in his unparalleled success. The track shines as a manifesto of resilience, a reminder that change isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable for those who dare to pursue it, encapsulated in the standout line, “Resurrect the west im just doin what im meant to do.” Hussle’s lyrics resonate with a deep understanding of his impact and legacy, cementing his status as a visionary who never waited for change but actively sought to manifest it.
