There are a slew of names in Hip-Hop that grab your attention right away, and Nipsey Hussle takes the cake. The moniker, a play on the name of entertainer Nipsey Russle was given to him by an older homie who admired the youngster's grind. Although Nipsey has a name that will get a little chuckle, the 22-year-old MC's life is no laughing matter. A Rolling 60's Crip, Nipsey is watching his gang affilation catch p to him. When DJ Felli Fel played Nipsey's track "Bullets Ain't Got No Name" on Los Angeles' Power 106. Nipsey gained label interest (as well as that of Adidas, which released the Nipsey Hussle shoe) and eventually signed to Epic Records in 2008. But before the ink could dry on the contract Nipsey was sent to jail. "I felt like I expected [to go to jail]," he says. "That's the story of my life. At my highest highs there is always some [trouble]."

Still, on the brink of releasing his untitled debut album, Nipsey remains cautious. "I feel like I don't want to celebrate," Nipsey says. "I want to secure my spot, then I can take a breath. But the last time I did that God threw me a curveball."

- BRENT WOODIE (SOURCE MAGAZINE OCT 2008)