*In honor of what would have been Nipsey Hussle’s 40th birthday on August 15, the Los Angeles Metro is paying tribute to the late rapper and community icon with a heartfelt celebration of his legacy.
According to Secret Los Angeles, the agency has launched a special initiative featuring limited-edition TAP cards and a temporary station renaming, recognizing Hussle’s profound influence on Los Angeles culture. The commemorative TAP cards are part of Metro’s new Metro x Culture series, which highlights “Angelenos who’ve shaped LA culture—leaders, artists, visionaries—especially those whose journeys began on Metro buses and trains,” according to the Metro website.
Two distinct TAP card designs will be available. The “Crenshaw & Slauson” card features a striking black-and-white image of Hussle on his home turf, while the “Watts” card showcases the rapper aboard a Metro bus. Only 12,000 cards will be released, making them a collector’s item for fans.
Starting August 15, the cards can be picked up at select Metro station ticket vending machines, including Hyde Park, Crenshaw, Slauson, Compton, Hollywood/Vine, and Expo/Crenshaw. Additional cards will be available at all six Metro Customer Centers.
Metro is also extending the tribute to its Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) Program. “Eligible new participants signing up in South LA will receive the card,” a press release states. Each LIFE card comes with nine months of free transit across multiple agencies, valued at over $600.
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In a fitting homage to Hussle’s South L.A. roots, Metro will temporarily rename Hyde Park Station to “Nipsey Hussle Station” from August 15 to August 31. This gesture underscores the rapper’s enduring impact as a musician, entrepreneur, and community leader.
The initiative celebrates Hussle’s legacy as a visionary who uplifted his community through music and activism.
In a post on X, Metro Los Angeles wrote: “Two limited-edition Nipsey Hussle TAP cards will drop on August 15, Nipsey Hussle Day. The TAP cards are part of the Metro x Culture series celebrating Angelenos who’ve shaped LA culture, especially those whose journeys began on Metro buses and trains.”
