''Crenshaw'' is the eighth official mixtape by American rapper

Nipsey Hussle Airmiess Joseph Asghedom (August 15, 1985 – March 31, 2019), known professionally as Nipsey Hussle (often stylized as Nipsey Hu$$le), was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid- ...

. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on October 8, 2013, on mixtape hosting websites. It was also released in a limited first edition of 1,000 copies for $100 each including other incentives via his

All Money In Airmiess Joseph Asghedom (August 15, 1985 – March 31, 2019), known professionally as Nipsey Hussle (often stylized as Nipsey Hu$$le), was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid ...

record label. The mixtape features production by

The Futuristiks Mike & Keys (formerly known as The Futuristiks) are an American hip hop production and songwriting duo from Los Angeles, California that consists of Money Mike (born Michael Ray Cox, Jr.) and J-Keys (born John Groover). History J-Keys, born ...

1500 or Nothin' 1500 or Nothin' is an American musical ensemble composed of record producers, songwriters, musicians and music videographers, formed in 2006, in Los Angeles, California. With headquarters located in Inglewood, California, 1500 or Nothin' is com ...

9th Wonder Patrick Denard Douthit (born January 15, 1975),
better known as 9th Wonder, is a DJ Dahi Dacoury Dahi Natche (born March 10, 1983), professionally known as DJ Dahi, is an American DJ, songwriter, record producer and singer from Inglewood, California. Dahi is perhaps best known for producing " Money Trees" by American rapper Kendric ...

, Mike Free, Ralo, Wizzo and Jiggy Hendrix, among others.

Guest appearance In show business, a guest appearance is the participation of an outsider performer (such as a musician or actor) in an event such as a music record or concert, show, etc., when the performer does not belong to the regular band, cast, or other ...

s on the mixtape came from

Rick Ross William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), known professionally as Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Prior to releasing his debut single, "Hustlin'", in 2006, Ross was the subject of a bidding war, receiving offers from Diddy's Bad ...

, Dom Kennedy,

Slim Thug Stayve Jerome Thomas (born September 8, 1980), better known by his stage name Slim Thug, is an American rapper. He initially gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the hit single by rapper Mike Jones, " Still Tippin'". In July 2005, ...

James Fauntleroy II James Edward Fauntleroy II (born May 16, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Inglewood, California. He is best known for writing credits on tracks by high-profile artists such as Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, Kendrick ...

Z-Ro Joseph Wayne McVey IV (born January 19, 1977), better known by his stage names Z-Ro and the Mo City Don, is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. He was named one of America's most underrated rappers by ''The New York Times'' in 2007. Early li ...

Skeme Lonnie Kimble (born January 3, 1990), better known by his stage name Skeme, is an American rapper from Inglewood, California. Skeme has collaborated with various West Coast rappers such as the group Black Hippy, Bizzy Bone, The Game, Dom Kenned ...

and

Sade Sade may refer to: People * Marquis de Sade (1740–1814), French aristocrat, writer, and libertine * Sade (singer) (born 1959, Helen Folasade Adu), British Nigerian musician and lead singer of the eponymous band * Sade Baderinwa (born 1969), WA ...

among others. The mixtape was supported by the singles "Checc Me Out" featuring Dom Kennedy and Cobby Supreme, "U See Us", "The Weather" featuring Rick Ross, "If U Were Mine" featuring Fauntleroy, and "1 of 1".

Background

In November 2011, Nipsey Hussle released '' The Marathon Continues'', following that he did not release a major project almost two years, while promising a sequel named ''TM3: Victory Lap''. On August 6, 2013, Hussle announced that ''Victory Lap'' would now be his debut studio album rather than his next mixtape, and none of the previously leaked songs from the prior months will make the album. He confirmed that the track list and release date would be revealed very soon. On September 1 and 2, 2013, Nipsey Hussle released his previous mixtape ''X-Tra Laps'', and a group of songs as singles to iTunes. This included various old mixtape tracks, "Thas Wat Hoes Do" featuring YG, "Rose Clique", "Rich Roll", "Keys 2 the City", "I Need That" featuring

Dom Kennedy Dominic Ross Hunn (born August 22, 1984), better known by his stage name Dom Kennedy, is an American rapper from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California. Since 2008, Kennedy has released 5 independent mixtapes, most notably his 2010 critically accl ...

and "Run A Lap". On September 16, 2013, Nipsey Hussle announced he would release a new mixtape titled, ''Crenshaw'' hosted by

DJ Drama Tyree Cinque Simmons (born April 22, 1978), professionally known as DJ Drama, is an American DJ, record executive and music promoter. He is the co-founder (with Don Cannon) of Generation Now, an Atlantic Records imprint with artists includi ...

, on October 8, 2013. He explained the title saying, "This is my area. This is my home town. This is really like where I spent a lot of my time as a youth. Crenshaw is a foundation to my personality and my story. It’s where it took place at." He explained the mixtape consists of mostly leftover tracks,

"I recorded a lot of songs for the ''Victory Lap'' project, and I got a certain vision I'm going for with the project, and I just did a lot of work and I think I got what I was looking for with the ''Victory Lap'' album, and I still got a lot of great records. So I'm like, I don't wanna sit on the songs, and I listened to the playlist and it kinda sounded like Crenshaw, it sounded like the environment, like my upbringing. So I went in and did a couple more records, put a couple skits and just really themed it, and I'm like I'ma give them the mixtape first just to excite the streets again and remind people what the sound is, give 'em an idea of what the album might sound like. And really kinda like, create the question in their mind, 'if this is the mixtape, what is gunna be on the album?'"

On September 24, 2013, he revealed the track list for ''Crenshaw'', which contained guest appearances from

, Dom Kennedy,

, Cobby Supreme, J. Stone, Dubb, Tai Phillips, TeeFlii, Zeke, and

among others. Production was handled by,

9th Wonder Patrick Denard Douthit (born January 15, 1975),
better known as 9th Wonder, is a Mike Free, Ralo, Wizzo and Jiggy Hendrix among others.

Release and promotion

On October 2, 2013, Hussle released two

greatest hits A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be creat ...

compilation albums to iTunes, ''Nip Hussle the Great Vol. 1'' and ''Vol. 2''. On September 24, 2013, Nipsey Hussle and Karen Civil TV released the first trailer for the mixtape, featuring him driving around

Crenshaw, Los Angeles Crenshaw, or the Crenshaw District, is a neighborhood in South Los Angeles, California. In the post–World War II era, a Japanese American community was established in Crenshaw. African Americans started migrating to the district in the mid ...

, and talking about his upbringing in the city. On October 3, 2013, he released a second trailer for the mixtape, also revealing 1,000 hard copies of the mixtape would be sold for $100 each. He explained his decision to RapRadar saying,

"It’s 2013. Whether we accept it or not, buying music is a choice, not a requisite. When I think of the psychology behind what makes me purchase an artist's album, it’s always a form of reciprocation. Almost like a token of appreciation after I experience the product. The reason I chose to charge $100 dollars each copy and only start with 1000 units is because I tailor making my music for those who are listening. it's not about stepping outside of what I’m known for in hopes of new discovery. What that means less is fans that are better served. I'm more or less focused on fully serving the ones that have connected all ready. That being said it's a value over volume thing. if I'm goin to offer a product made with no compromise or concession to the platforms (radio, A&R opinion, label bias) ect...ect..then the way we sale it has to change."

As promised the mixtape was released for free on mixtape hosting websites October 8, 2013. At midnight, he began selling the limited edition hard copies at a

pop-up shop Pop-up retail, also known as pop-up store (pop-up shop in the UK, Australia and Ireland) or flash retailing, is a trend of opening short-term sales spaces that last for days to weeks before closing down, often to catch onto a fad or scheduled e ...

Fairfax, Los Angeles The Fairfax District is a neighborhood in the Central region of Los Angeles, California. Historically the Fairfax District has been a center of the Jewish community in Los Angeles. It is known for the Farmer's Market, The Grove, CBS Televisi ...

. The copies were sold for $100 and included a ticket to an upcoming local show of his, among other random incentives. Every copy was also numbered and autographed by Hussle. Other incentives for random purchasers included a personal phone call from Hussle, signed photographs in the mail, and an invitation to visit Hussle in the studio and hear an early version of ''Victory Lap'' before its release. Dom Kennedy,

Glasses Malone Glasses Malone is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. Early life Glasses Malone grew up in the Watts and Compton neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. Malone was a Crip gang member as a teenager, and got into street racing after br ...

, and the LA Leakers of

Power 106 KPWR (105.9 FM) – branded as ''Power 106'' – is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California, broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area. KPWR is owned and operated by Meruelo Group and airs a Rhythmic Hot AC format. KPWR's studi ...

made appearances during the day. Upon its release he reportedly sold out at the pop-up shop, selling over 1,000 copies in less than 24 hours, effectively making $100,000. Notably,

Roc Nation Roc Nation is an entertainment agency founded by Jay-Z in 2008. The company is headquartered in Manhattan and has additional offices in Los Angeles and London. Roc Nation comprises a comprehensive talent agency, sports agency, record label, ma ...

the label founded and owned by Jay-Z, bought 100 physical copies at $100 each. Shortly after Hussle announced additional copies would be sold for $100 at the Slauson Ave Store in Los Angeles. Given a cost of only 75 cents per unit to press the CDs, each sale of ''Crenshaw'' represents a gross profit margin of more than 1300% before recording costs. For this move he has received praise from rappers such as

E-40 Earl Tywone Stevens Sr. (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click, and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, ...

, along with the already mentioned Jay-Z. On October 18, 2013, it was revealed that the album would be released to iTunes on October 22, 2013, with an exclusive bonus track. However, upon its release to iTunes it did not include a bonus track, but Hussle revealed that anybody that messaged him their receipt on Twitter would receive a bonus track. The day of the mixtape's release Nipsey Hussle announced the Crenshaw US Tour to take place during 2013, revealing that the tour dates would be announced soon. On November 26, 2013, Hussle announced the tour dates, beginning on January 9, 2014, in

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

, and running until February 13, 2014.

Singles

On May 18, 2013, Nipsey Hussle released "Smoking With My Stylist" as part of his new campaign to release a new song for every new 2,000 Twitter followers. Three days later, he released "Face The World" produced by

9th Wonder Patrick Denard Douthit (born January 15, 1975),
better known as 9th Wonder, is a Mike & Keys, The Futuristiks. Then on August 8, 2013, Hussle released the last promotional single from the mixtape "Change Nothing" produced by 1500 or Nothin'. On September 26, 2013, Nipsey Hussle released the mixtape's first official single "Checc Me Out" featuring Dom Kennedy and Cobby Supreme. On October 2, 2013, Nipsey Hussle appeared on

DJ Skee Scott Keeney (born 15 November 1983), better known by his stage name DJ Skee, is an American artist, television host, radio personality, and entrepreneur. Skee rose to fame as the first DJ to discover and play superstar artists on the radio incl ...

's Skee Live, with Dom Kennedy and performed "Checc Me Out". On December 2, 2013, "U See Us" was serviced to

urban contemporary Urban contemporary music, also known as urban music, hip hop, urban pop, or just simply urban, is a music radio format. The term was coined by New York radio DJ Frankie Crocker in the early to mid-1970s as a synonym for Black music. Urban conte ...

radio in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. The day before the mixtape's release he released a leftover collaboration with Dom Kennedy titled, "Don't Forget Us". The music video for "Crenshaw and Slauson (True Story)" was released on October 11, 2013. The music video for "1 of 1" was released on November 7, 2013. On December 15, Hussle released the music video for "More or Less". On January 29, 2014, three more singles ("The Weather" featuring Rick Ross and Cuzzy Capone, "If U Were Mine" featuring

James Fauntleroy James Edward Fauntleroy II (born May 16, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Inglewood, California. He is best known for writing credits on tracks by high-profile artists such as Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, Kendrick ...

, and "1 of 1") were released for digital download.

Critical reception

''Crenshaw'' was met with generally positive reviews from

music critic ''The Oxford Companion to Music'' defines music criticism as "the intellectual activity of formulating judgments on the value and degree of excellence of individual works of music, or whole groups or genres". In this sense, it is a branch of mu ...

s. Louis Johnson of ''

The Badger Herald ''The Badger Herald'' is a newspaper serving the University of Wisconsin–Madison community, founded in 1969. The paper is published Monday through Friday during the academic year and once during the summer. Available at newsstands across campus ...

'' gave the mixtape a very positive review: "He's a diamond in the rough. For fans of

West Coast hip hop West Coast hip hop is a regional genre of hip hop music that encompasses any artists or music that originated in the West Coast region of the United States. West Coast hip hop began to dominate from a radio play and sales standpoint during the e ...

, his music is infectious. Nipsey is proof that an independent artist can become a major force in today's world of Clear Channel sameness and major label monopolies. This is just the beginning, though. In a Tuesday tweet Nipsey said, '...I made a hunnit k today off my album throw away's.' If this is true, it's scary to think of how good his album will be." Bruce Smith of ''

HipHopDX ''HipHopDX'' is an online magazine of hip hop music criticism and news. The website's current president and publisher is Sharath Cherian and the Head Of Content is Jerry L. Barrow. ''HipHopDX'' is the flagship publication of Cheri Media Group. ...

'' deemed the project a "free album" (their highest praise for mixtapes). He said, "The ''Bullets Ain't Got No Name'' series was music straight off Slauson Avenue; it was Hip Hop from a South Central state of mind. With his ''

Marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair di ...

'' series, Nipsey offered himself as a Slauson boy, matured, and free of label politics. ''Crenshaw'' is where the two sets of projects meet up. While he may have never strayed far from the streets of Los Angeles, Crenshaw is like a homecoming for the artist that dropped the last two ''Marathon'' mixtapes, bringing the growth and maturity shown on the ''Marathon'' series back to a project that bares a close resemblance to the ''Bullets Ain’t Got No Name'' tapes. While not without its flaws, at its high points (of which there are many) ''Crenshaw'' is on par, or above what a lot of artists have put on shelves as of late." Slav Kandyba of Music Is My Oxygen also gave a positive review: "Nipsey's superior delivery and energy is established early with "U See Us" and doesn't stop until well into the end of the tape’s last track "Crenshaw and Slauson," a 12-minute composition with hidden track following a spoken-word outro. ''Crenshaws best attribute isn't beat selection or the actual lyrics; it's Nipsey Hussle's persona. He's larger than life and relatable at the same time, not just rhyming but relating to listeners in the same fashion that

Tony Robbins Anthony Jay Robbins (né Mahavoric, born February 29, 1960) is an American author, coach, speaker, and philanthropist. He is known for his infomercials, seminars, and self-help books including the books ''Unlimited Power'' and ''Awaken the Gia ...

speaks at his seminars. Even though drug and gang references are still frequent, the value of ''Crenshaw'' as motivational music can't be discounted." Max Weinstein '' XXL'' also gave the mixtape a positive review saying, "''Crenshaw'' has its moments, but it ultimately reflects the process of a rapper stretching styles and seeing what he’s most comfortable with. The exercise might not yield many immediate results, but it’s a necessary workout for an artist trying to please loyal fans and potential newcomers." On December 24, 2013, ''XXL'' named it the second best mixtape of 2013. They commented saying, "Nipsey Hu$$le changed the course of hip-hop releases with the promotional run for ''Crenshaw''. The unsigned rapper was able to make $100,000 by selling 1,000 copies for $100 each. The price tag was part of his Proud2Pay campaign, which rewarded fans with concerts, new material and rare gifts. The music also held up to the expected high standards with a tape that took us right into the heart of his South Central worldview. Topics such as hustling and paper chasing were sharpened with his laid-back flow and paint-picture rhymes. With young stars like TeeFlii and

to help him out, ''Crenshaw'' was an event mixtape/album that put the West at its rightful place."

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

References

{{Nipsey Hussle 2013 mixtape albums Nipsey Hussle albums Albums produced by 9th Wonder Albums produced by DJ Dahi Albums produced by 1500 or Nothin' Albums produced by Mike Free