The Marathon Continues: Los Angeles Cements Nipsey Hussle’s Legacy at Slauson and Crenshaw
For anyone who knows South Los Angeles, the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard is more than just a spot on the map. It is the beating heart of a community, a cultural landmark, and the stomping grounds of a hometown hero who gave everything to see his neighborhood thrive. To honor that profound impact, the City of Los Angeles has permanently etched his legacy into the city’s framework by officially naming the iconic intersection “Nipsey Hussle Square.”
The tribute honors the late Grammy-winning rapper, visionary entrepreneur, and dedicated community philanthropist Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom. For Nipsey, Slauson and Crenshaw wasn’t just where he grew up, it was the exact location where he built his empire from the ground up.
It was right at this intersection that Nipsey famously sold his early mixtapes out of the trunk of his car before eventually opening his flagship brick-and-mortar shop, The Marathon Clothing store. In a move that perfectly embodied his “buy back the block” ethos, he later purchased the entire strip mall that housed his store. His ultimate goal was to redevelop the property into a mixed-use residential and commercial space that would bring jobs, resources, and economic elevation directly to his neighbors.
Renaming the intersection is a fitting, powerful tribute to a man who dedicated his life to community empowerment. Beyond his massive influence in hip-hop, Nipsey was a forward-thinker who tirelessly worked to bridge the wealth gap in urban communities.
He invested in local STEM programs for inner-city youth, funded neighborhood playground renovations, and was a driving force behind Destination Crenshaw, an open-air museum designed to celebrate Black history, culture, and business along the new Metro rail line.
To make the new name a permanent fixture, the city is hosting an official sign unveiling ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. this Saturday. The event will formally dedicate Nipsey Hussle Square, commemorating the rapper’s unmatched entrepreneurial spirit and his deep, unwavering connection to the community.
The dedication will bring out key figures who were instrumental in Nipsey’s life and the city’s political landscape. Guests will include Blacc Sam, Nipsey’s brother and the CEO of The Marathon brand. Local leaders, including Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Heather Hutt, and California State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan will join him.
While the intersection will always carry the heavy weight of his tragic and untimely passing, “Nipsey Hussle Square” reclaims the physical space as a permanent monument to his resilience, his brilliance, and his unwavering love for South LA.
The physical signs make it official, but the truth is, this neighborhood has always belonged to Nipsey. And now, it always will.
Photo Credit: Instagram – NipseyHussle
