“The Pop Out” from Kendrick Lamar and friends was a special occasion for many reasons, and not even the Drake beef could make this feel like anything less of a West Coast celebration on Juneteenth. Of course, Los Angeles has lost a lot over the years, and during Mustard’s set, he made sure to honor one of their fallen legends. Nipsey Hussle received a touching tribute during this performance, with a massive projected license plate that read “RIP NIP, The Marathon Continues” on the Jumbotrons. The DJ played “Perfect Ten,” “Last Time That I Checc’d” with YG, and “Racks In The Middle” with a special Roddy Ricch appearance.
Later on that night, Kendrick Lamar also remarked on the pain of losing Kobe Bryant, and other performers took time to shout out their lost comrades. It was one of a few emotional and significant moments at “The Pop Out,” and one that continues to keep Nipsey Hussle’s legacy and memory alive, whether for his art or for his commitment to his community. “This day decided to fall on Easter Sunday this 2024, interesting…” his partner Lauren London wrote on his passing’s anniversary this year. “Considering your name #GodWillRise. Energy never dies… I love you. Eternal Eternal.”
Mustard Pays Tribute To Nipsey Hussle
Another performer at “The Pop Out” was Ty Dolla $ign, who released a Nipsey Hussle collab this year via the VULTURES 1 track “DO IT” also featuring YG. There were a lot of people there both in the crowd and backstage who have very fond and special memories of Nip and his time on this Earth. Furthermore, it was partially why the show felt like such a wide-ranging and cathartic set of emotions. It seemed like everyone involved was well-aware of how big this moment was, and paying tribute to him was an unmissable responsibility to assume.
Meanwhile, “The Pop Out” also paid tribute, in a certain way, to the old days of many of these legends. For example, Black Hippy finally gave fans a long-awaited reunion, with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, and Jay Rock having fun together. Dr. Dre also emerged to perform some of his classics and introduce “Not Like Us.” It was a beautiful recognition of where they’ve been, and a heartening promise of where they still have to go.
Rest In Peace Nipsey Hussle.
About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output.
Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond.
Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C.
His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.
