Samiel "Blacc Sam" Asghedom at The Marathon (Cultivation) Documentary
credit: Mark Escalante
Nipsey Hussle created a legacy that is still inspiring. Unfortunately, he has been gone for more than 3 years, but he continues to inspire. A new documentary about the journey Nipsey and his brother Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom took to create a cannabis business has been released. This comes a month before The Marathon (Collective), a THC and CBD store, opens in Los Angeles.
The Marathon (Cultivation) Documentary
Complex reported that the premiere for the documentary took place about a week ago. A small group of friends, family and cannabis consumers gathered to watch it. Most importantly, they all loved what they saw.
Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom at Documentary premiere Credit: Mark Escalante
Fans will get to see how the store came into existence. The documentary follows Nipsey and his close friends’ sales of cannabis on the streets to the successful creation of a cannabis store. The documentary also covers how Nipsey and the Cure Company teamed up to create Marathon OG.
Eventually, Nipsey gives a tour of the iconic Marathon OG grow room, Snoop Dogg makes an appearance and the audience receives glimpses of the Marathon (Collective) store.
Blacc Sam will open the store June 18th on Canoga Ave. in Los Angeles. This will be the first The Marathon (Collective) store, and it will act as the flagship for all future stores.
“This is something we always spoke about,” Blacc Sam said at the premiere.
Nipsey Hussle
Credit: The Marathon (Cultivation) DocumentaryThe Marathon brand will carry on as long as people are willing to carry on the legacy Nipsey Hussle left behind. Certainly, the hood needs us to continue reinvesting into it. Nipsey left the blueprint for us to follow; therefore, we should follow.
Pacman da Gunman and Hit-Boy joined forces to create the “Bulletproof Soul” project. It came out earlier this month and is a great project. Pacman is also known to be with Nipsey Hussle’sAll Money In Records. Now, he is thoroughly keeping Nipsey’s legacy and the marathon going.
Hit-Boy Makes Hits
The project starts off with “Not Your Average.” Giving a nice intro to begin the record, Hit presents a beat that will undoubtedly nod your head. Meanwhile, Pacman flows through the two-minute song, delivering California raps on a beat that sounds so California.
“Bangin Late” follows, with a beat similar to “Not Your Average,” though more elevated. Hit and Pacman then pick up where they just left off to deliver a slapper. This one is to be played at maximum volume at the L.A. house party, on AUX, of course.
Presenting an anthem for the streets, Pacman also lets you know that he’s been out here for a long time, and if he doesn’t know you, you’re new here.
Many people probably understand Pac. If you’re a part of the culture, you most likely grew up in the streets, also having to do certain (usually illegal) things until recognition. Pac was out here and knows who’s who. According to the artist, the ones getting their names now just started into this lifestyle and haven’t spent enough time involving themselves in illegal activities. Consequentially, this apparently means these artists are not real.
@PACMANDAGUNMAN said “if I don’t know your name you started banging late” that’s going to hurt a lot of niggas feelings 💯
“Told Us Not To Do It,” one of Pacman’s most popular songs off his discography (according to Spotify), features Peezy. Hit-Boy is in the rhythm as the instrumentals flow right into each other.
As previously mentioned, “Bangin Late” seems like a more elevated beat than “Not Your Average.” Meanwhile, “Told Us Not To Do It” seems even higher than “Bangin Late!”
As soon as the beat drop, your head starts to nod again. Peezy executes his guest verse while mentioning that “The Marathon” is still going. Long live Nipsey Hussle!
Hit-Boy switches up the tempo for a minute for Pacman to really vent. In “The Cycle,” featuring B.Carr, Pacman struggles with losing people as he asks to talk to God. He realizes this is the cycle of living in the streets or possibly just the process of life. B. Carr does a great job on the chorus as he sums this song up, relating to how Pacman’s feeling.
California Vibe
There’s no way this project does not give you a California vibe! “New Heat” is a song you want to listen to while driving down the L.A. freeway, top-down with the sun in your face. Hit-Boy can make you feel good with this easy-listening record after heavy-hearted “The Cycle.”
With the help of J Stone, Pacman helps listeners envision the L.A. life: beautiful women, fancy cars, sunny weather, big blunts, and plenty of jewelry!
The California ride then continues with “Find A Balance,” as Pacman shows his versatility by giving something the women can take and listen to. Hit-Boy takes a classic sample and turns it into my favorite song off the album!
Accompanied by Dom Kennedy, both West Coast emcees explain to women how to handle a hustler. Turns out it’s also not easy. Pacman keeps the ride going on “Cold Nights on 60th St” as he reminisces while Hit-Boy drives. He reflects on Nipsey’s advice, and as the song plays out, it reminds me of Nipsey and Swizz Beatz’s “Been Down.”
The project ends with “Ask God,” featuring Yhung T.O. and “Til We Meet Again.” The ode to Nipsey as Pacman hopes to reconnect with his friend one day. He pays homage to him for the message he spoke and how he influenced the world. He mentions his loved ones, such as Black Sam, Nipsey’s brother, Imani and Kross, Nipsey’s children, and his wife, Lauren London. Throughout the project, Pacman’s relationship with God and the afterlife is a recurring theme. He manages to keep his faith while battling through loss and struggle.
I rate this project an 8 out of 10, B+! I am a fan of this tape, and this is the second straight project Pacman has executed on. With Hit-Boy’s production, the project rises to another level! Pacman’s writing ability and Hit-Boy’s production genius can take listeners to many different places in under 25 minutes! There are songs for the club, songs for the streets, songs for the car, songs for the women, songs for a cookout, songs for a funeral, etc.
Bulletproof Soul does not disappoint. Big shout out to Pacman da Gunman and Hit-Boy, The Marathon Continues!
WRITTEN BY: Brandon Simmons
Listen To “Bulletproof Soul” By Pacman da Gunman & Hit-Boy Below:
It was just like any given day. I was watching television, scrolling on my Instagram feed. Then suddenly, I came across a post that seemed impossible of being true. Before I knew it, an unsettled feeling came over me. I could not quite explain it.
Rapper Nipsey Hussle shot in L.A.
As I stare at the headline, I knew it could not be. It had to be fake. Unfortunately, it was not. Because if so, I would not be writing this:
Nipsey Hussle was born as Ermias Joesph Asghedom in Los Angeles, California. To an African American mother and an Eritrean father. Something I could relate to, like Hussle, I too was half African. As a kid, Hussle’s life was not all ‘Ocean Views,’ but that did not stop Hussle from ‘Hustle And Motivate.’ Described by his family and friends, Hussle was loyal, dependable, intelligent, and always had an eye for entrepreneurship. You did not have to know him personally to see him in that light. His rhymes, the way he moved and carried himself are indications of his character.
By the time of 2008, Hussle was gaining local success but also success in the music industry. Appearing alongside Drake and Snoop Dogg, Hussle was making his mark. But it was ‘Hussle In The House’ for me at the age of 16 that made me pay attention to the rapper. From featured singles to being on The XXL Freshman Cover and even projects shelved, Hussle thought it was better to do things his way.
Additionally, he left Epic Records and started his record label, All Money In. And the rest is history. Because at this moment, this was the start of ‘The Marathon’ series. ‘The Marathon’ (2010) and ‘The Marathon Continues’ (2011) were huge successes. But it was ‘Crenshaw’ (2013) that set the tone and the true entrepreneurship of Nipsey Hussle. Hussle sold 1,000 copies of ‘Crenshaw’ at $ 100 apiece. Jay-Z personally brought 100 copies. Less than 24 hours, Hussle reportedly raked in $100,000.
Later, Hussle released ‘Mailbox Money (2014) and ‘Slauson Boy 2’ (2016). After many delays, Hussle released ‘Victory Lap’ in 2018. Intended to be a mixtape at first, ‘Victory Lap’ was the last and final installment of ‘The Marathon’ series. It debuted #4 on the Billboard Chart and sold 53,000 sales in the first week. Plus, receiving widespread reviews from critics who could not get enough of the album. Although losing for ‘Best Rap’ Album at the 61st Grammys Awards to Cardi B’s ‘Invasion Of Privacy,’ things were looking up for Hussle. But who would ever think ‘Victory Lap’ was indeed his last victory lap…
Here we are two years later since Hussle tragically was from us. And it does not even seem surreal at times. As stated, you did not have to know him personally to know him. You knew who he was by his actions. He never left his community and hood. Despite being a millionaire, he was always there, and he gave back. Nipsey Hussle was the 2Pac of my generation. You can not prove to me otherwise. To seeing him first on MTV Jams to the Grammys stage– is like watching your kid riding with training wheels and suddenly taking off the training wheels. To see your kid ride the bike perfectly fine.
After all, I was there from the beginning of his career up until his death. So it feels like I lost an older brother or uncle despite not knowing him personally. Nipsey Hussle may not any longer be here with us. But he has a catalog of music that is timeless. Whenever you need a little motivation, there are videos online to watch. Just like 2Pac, Nipsey Hussle left behind memories. And even on this day, we celebrate him as Nipsey THA GREAT. Because that is what he was. And that is what he is.
