Crenshaw (mixtape)

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 and "Run A Lap". On September 16, 2013, Nipsey Hussle announced he would release a new mixtape titled, Crenshaw hosted by DJ Drama, 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 Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy, Slim Thug, James Fauntleroy II, Z-Ro, Skeme, Cobby Supreme, J. Stone, Dubb, Tai Phillips, TeeFlii, Zeke, and Sade among others. Production was handled by, The Futuristiks, 1500 or Nothin', 9th Wonder, Mike Free, Ralo, Wizzo and Jiggy Hendrix among others. == Release and promotion ==

On October 2, 2013, Hussle released two greatest hits 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, and talking about his upbringing in the city. 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 already. 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." record label Roc Nation purchased 100 copies of the mixtape. 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 in Fairfax, Los Angeles. 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, and the LA Leakers of Power 106 made appearances during the day. Notably, Roc Nation 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. 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, California, 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. On June 6, 2013, he released "All Get Right" featuring label-mate J. Stone. On July 17, 2013, Hussle released the song "Blessings". Six days later, he released "Summertime In That Cutlass" produced by 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's Skee Live, with Dom Kennedy and performed "Checc Me Out". On December 2, 2013, "U See Us" was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United Kingdom. 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, and "1 of 1") were released for digital download. == Critical reception ==

Crenshaw was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Louis Johnson of The Badger Herald gave the mixtape a very positive review: "He's a diamond in the rough. For fans of West Coast hip hop, 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." In 2022, Rolling Stone placed it at number 189 on their list of the 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time. The magazine's writer Mosi Reeves said, "Crenshaw is more than just a marketing gimmick. The music, airy and dramatic, presents a West Coast version of Rick Ross' luxury-rap formula, with Nipsey as the hustler balling out despite long odds." == Track listing ==

• 1500 or Nothin' • The Futuristiks }} • The Colleagues • Sarah J }} • Wizzo • Minehli • DJ Dahi }} }} ==Charts==

Weekly charts == References ==