*What happened at Crenshaw and Slauson on Saturday, February 28, was bigger than a civic ceremony. The dedication of Nipsey Hussle Square was about legacy, yes — but it was also about ownership, roots, visibility, and what it means when a community that has often been overlooked gets something permanent to point to with pride.
The City of Los Angeles officially dedicated the intersection in Nipsey Hussle’s honor, with Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Heather Hutt, and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan among the elected officials in attendance. The plaza remains family-owned and is also home to the Neighborhood Nip Foundation, which is part of what made the moment feel like more than symbolism.
Speaking with EUR’s Jill Munroe, Nipsey’s brother Blacc Sam made it plain that the honor reflects the larger mission Nipsey always had in mind.
“I think for me, it’s important, and we’re honored,” Sam said. “That was really bro’s mission. He wanted to make sure that when you’re young and trying to get some money, I think that’s the first thing, you just want to get yourself established. But Hussle always wanted to do more. He felt he had a bigger purpose. And his whole thing was to inspire, specifically to youth and start from the area where he came from. So it’s just an honor to be able to name this section Nipsey Hussle Square, and I think even his quote being up there, ‘the highest human act is to inspire,’ I think this is just fitting.”
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Sam also connected Nipsey’s impact to economic empowerment, especially for young people trying to find a way forward without falling into the usual traps.
“When we’re young, you just looking for role models. You’re looking for opportunity, especially financially, when you’re coming from situations where you may not have much,” he said. “So anything that’s outside of the box, that’s not crime, that’s not going to end you up in jail, I think is a plus. And that was one thing Hussle wanted to always do, educate and pass down the education.”
That same spirit showed up in the words from those closest to Nipsey. Lauren London shared a story about driving past the store early in their relationship, remembering Nip saying, “You know, Boogie, one day they gone name this whole section after me.” And now, here we are.
Lauren’s oldest won with rapper Lil Wayne, Kameron also spoke, offering one of the day’s most quietly powerful reflections: “Seeing everybody here today and how we all came out and how it’s named after him, it changes the whole perspective on everything. And it gives me hope that things can change. Now, I feel empowered to be here. It’s named after him and I know that’s exactly what he would have wanted. That right here where everything happened, it’s right here where everything will grow.”
@stilettojill Lauren London and Lil Wayne’s son Kameron speaks on Nipsey Hussle. Hussle Squate #nipseyhussle #lilwayne #laurenlondon
That idea — growth, not just grief — was echoed by Councilmember Heather Hutt, who said that the square has the power to lift how people feel about the entire neighborhood.
“When people come to this community to even see the square, they’re gonna lift it up there. People have a good feeling about Slauson and Crenshaw, and they absolutely love Nipsey Hussle and what he stood for,” Hutt said. “He reinvested in the community he came from. He didn’t go elsewhere and spend his money. He used it right here, and that’s so important. I think it’ll be encouraging to other people that they quietly do it. Remember he says, not about the optics, and he actually did the work. And we can see that by him with ownership.”
Hutt also framed the moment in a broader political and cultural context, saying, “In a time where 1600 is trying to erase every contribution that people of color, Black people, have made to this United States, I think it’s important for us to make markers as many places as we can so we can remind people that we’re here and we’ve made positive contributions to our city, our state and our country.”
And the legacy is still expanding. According to the event information, Marathon Burger continues to grow, with a Times Square location on the way following openings in Long Beach over the weekend, Venice Beach, and Los Angeles. There’s also more music coming: Nipsey’s posthumous project is expected later this year.
Nipsey Hussle’s name is now on the corner, but his real imprint is in the model: reinvest in your people, teach what you know, build something that lasts, and make sure the next generation can see themselves in it.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Follow her socials @StilettoJill or visit JillMunroe.com. Catch her live M-Thu on KBLA Talk 1580 from 6PM to 7PM.
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