#FOMO Report: Nipsey Hussle’s Exclusive ‘Victory Lap’ Listening Party
I had to go catch my #1 rapper. Insert Nipsey Hussle. Self-explanatory. If you guys know me, you know. Nipsey is my #1 (also my baby daddy, but we’ll keep things professional). His Crenshaw mixtape is one of my favorite projects of all-time. My girl and I bond over this all the time. We are #AllMoneyIn, No Money Out all day, every day. Literally would get the logo tatted if the opportunity presented itself. Read more…
With that being said, Nipsey fans and Hip Hop fans alike have all been waiting so patiently for Nipsey’s Victory Lap. It was supposed to be out by now, but props to Nip for not putting it out until he was 100000% with it. He wanted to make it perfect for us. Can’t knock that.
Tonight was the exclusive listening party for Victory Lap at Record Plant Studios in Hollywood. First of all, huge fucking congrats to Nipsey for signing to Atlantic Records. For 2 million dollars. That’s honestly insane. All these years of independent grind and here we are. Nip is the definition of a hustler, an entrepreneur, a fucking genius.
Huge thanks to Aris for the invite. I didn’t think twice about canceling plans for this. I heard this was supposed to be exclusive for DJ’s, which made more sense when I finally arrived. I got the text that it was starting (s/o Julian) and sped over. I walk inside to find everyone packed inside a tiny studio, stocked with Henny and blunts.
had to pull up to @NipseyHussle’s #victorylap listening 💸 been waiting for this album my whole life lmao. #TMC pic.twitter.com/TC1IkgOrWl
— Shirley Ju (@shirju) November 30, 2017
I immediately saw all my peoples and was so excited, but had to contain myself because the music was playing lmao. This was the most perfect environment for a listening party. I swear, studios are the best spaces to hold these things. The volume in the speakers forces everyone to really pay attention to the music. The beat, the lyrics, everything is magnified. This is exactly what the artists hear when they decide a song is ready to be released.
And this is what we heard tonight. Nipsey was in the center of the room, chillin’ in his iced out chains, white tee, and velour green sweatpants, with a green snapback to match. The first full song I heard was called “Dedication,” which fits exactly in line with his #grindmode mantra. There’s a line that says “Dedication is hard work plus patience” that really stuck out to me. Nipsey is so fucking inspiring man.
Stealing Mo’s flick. They said no filming the music, but I’m a child and can’t listen to rules. The next song he played us was “Blue Laces 2,” from the original “Blue Laces” on The Marathon Continues. Mid-song, he told everybody to pay extra attention to the third verse, which is “something he really went through.” It was about a homie of his who went to jail. Nip kept getting up and standing on the table to speak to us in between records.
I loved it. Everyone who was in attendance kept cheering and giving their stamp of approval after each song played. “Hussle & Motivate” (sp?) was definitely a standout, a record Nip described himself as “quintessential” on. “Status Symbol 3″ with Buddy, ” “Million Dollars” with The Dream, “Loaded Bases” with CeeLo Green… each song sounded better than the next. And those features.
It was almost a wrap until they decided to play us one more: a hidden track called “Right Hand of God” (sp?). Nipsey described it as “after the album is done, there’s a pause, and then the hidden tracks start.” That’s honestly something fans can look forward to. The song we heard is the perfect combo of soul and Hip Hop, paired with Nip’s raw flow and motivational lyrics.
Nipsey decided it was the perfect ending to the listening, ending it on a high note. While Nipsey snuck out per usual, the rest of us dispersed into the other room filled with wings, french fries, and a basketball hoop. Shout out to Mo for the flick! He’s the best.
it’s the little things in life. pic.twitter.com/rNK02ewzsi
— Shirley Ju (@shirju) November 30, 2017
And Record Plant Studios wins for this bowl of pink Starbursts. #TheMarathonContinues.
-Shirley Ju
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