The Marathon Don't Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle

The Marathon Don't Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle is a 2021 biography of Nipsey Hussle, written by Rob Kenner and published by Atria Books on March 23rd. Promoted as the "first in-depth biography," music journalist Kenner was the founding editor of Vibe magazine and had interviewed Nipsey at different points of the rapper's career.
He reported in a 2019 exclusive interview with Complex, "The last time I spoke with Nipsey Hussle, he told me, 'I ain't outside giving out jewelry or dropping off bags of money on people, but I'm giving out game.' This book is my attempt to help fulfill that intention. The Marathon Don't Stop will also place his accomplishments in proper historical context, giving Nipsey Hussle his rightful place in the history of hip-hop, Los Angeles, and America. It will include interviews with people who haven't spoken before, as well as insights into the forces that shaped Hussle into the man he became."Skelton, Eric (October 8, 2019). "Exclusive: Nipsey Hussle Biography 'The Marathon Don't Stop' Is in the Works". Complex.
== Synopsis ==
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This "beautiful tribute to a legendary artist" (Quincy Jones) is the first in-depth biography of Nipsey Hussle, the hip-hop mogul, artist, and activist whose transformative legacy inspired a generation with his motivational lyrics and visionary business savvy—before he was tragically shot down in the very neighborhood he was dedicated to building up.
For Nipsey Hussle, "The Marathon" was more than a mixtape title or the name of a clothing store; it was a way of life, a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of excellence and the willpower required to overcome adversity day after day. Hussle was determined to win the race to success on his own terms, and he wanted to see his whole community in the winner's circle with him.
A moving and powerful exploration of an extraordinary artist, The Marathon Don't Stop places Hussle in historical context and unpacks his complex legacy. Combining on-the-ground reporting and candid interviews, "Rob Kenner has given us the book the world—and hip-hop and pop culture—has been waiting for…one that should be celebrated alongside the best biographies ever about iconic figures we have loved—and lost" (Kevin Powell, author of When We Free the World).
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The first in-depth biography of Nipsey Hussle, the hip hop mogul, artist, and activist whose transformative legacy inspired a generation with his motivational lyrics and visionary business savvy—before he was tragically shot down in the very neighborhood he was dedicated to building up.
In the ten years since he first met Nipsey Hussle in the offices of Vibe, journalist Rob Kenner followed Hussle's career, paying close attention to the music and business movement he was building in Los Angeles. Ten years later, they spoke again. To Kenner, it became clear that Hussle had been underestimated his entire life—not just for his artistry but also for his intellect and intentions.
For Nipsey Hussle, "The Marathon" was more than a mixtape title or the name of a clothing store; it was a way of life, a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of excellence and the willpower required to overcome adversity day after day. Hussle was determined to win the race to success on his own terms, and he wanted to see his whole community in the winner's circle with him.
Combining on-the-ground reporting and candid interviews with Hussle's friends, family, and peers, The Marathon Don't Stop traces the life and work of an extraordinary artist, placing him in historical context and unpacking his complex legacy. For the first time ever, members of his inner circle will speak about the man they knew and his determination to maintain integrity amidst the treacherous extremes of street life and the rap game.
The Marathon Don't Stop is a journalistic account of Nipsey Hussle's life and times, making sense of the forces that shaped a singular figure in hip hop culture.
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== Dedication ==
For Hugh Kenner, my first and best teacher.
"Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, passing from you and from me."
== Epigraph ==
"The main thing you got to remember is that everything in the world is a hustle."
—Freddie in The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1964)
== Background ==
Kenner told Complex that he was inspired by Hussle's words and actions, opining, "He was one of the most fascinating artists of our time, as well as an important activist and thought leader, but he received relatively little acclaim during his lifetime. The fact that so few critics and gatekeepers recognized how important he was only makes his story more compelling." He had the desire to write a biography even before Hussle's death, adding, "The events of March 31 left me stunned just like the rest of those who cared about him. Since that time, there has been a tremendous outpouring of love for him around the world, but also a fair amount of misinformation and media spin from forces that underestimated him or saw him as a threat. I wanted to do my part to help set the record straight." He also donated a portion of the book's proceeds "to Nipsey's estate out of respect."
In an interview with Stereogum, he stated that he first met Nipsey during the Bullets Ain't Got No Name mixtape series. He recalled, "He came up to Vibe Magazine in 2009 and I learned later that he had been submitting demos to Vibe's Next section for new and emerging artists. Nip as an unsigned rapper from LA was sending his own demos and headshots for several years before he made it up to the office. Dexter Brown told me that he was disappointed that he wasn't hearing back from us for a while, but as with every other goal that he set for himself in his life, he continued to persist despite early setbacks. So he made it up to Vibe and he was playing us his tape. I was very impressed with the music, but even more impressed with just his energy and his demeanor—he was a very powerful individual."
He was able to witness Hussle's career while he also workeed for the multimedia company, Complex. He explained of an incident, "one of our staff members reached out to Nipsey requesting an interview. We had done a list that sort of threw a little shade on Nipsey shortly before Crenshaw came out and he didn't think it was very cool for Complex to be asking for an interview after we had listed him as one of the underachieving rappers. So he tweeted Complex and I encouraged my colleagues behind the scenes to press ahead, and do the interview and let him say whatever he wanted to say."Turner-Williams, Jaelani (March 23, 2021). "Rob Kenner on His Nipsey Hussle Biography The Marathon Don't Stop". Stereogum.
== Critical reception ==
Kirkus Reviews wrote, "A well-executed recognition of the dynamic presence and unrelenting impact of a hip-hop legend gone too soon.""The Marathon Don't Stop". Kirkus Reviews. January 14, 2021. Los Angeles Times praised, "Kenner has provided a thorough and well-researched history that hits the right notes and captures the essence of what made Hussle so significant." While they acknowledged the flaws of it being unauthorized, which lacked information concerning Lauren London and Nipsey's older brother, Samiel Asghedom, they conceded that Kenner was able to interview many others who were a part of the rapper's life. As a critique, they said, "is so deeply (and commendably) reverent to a dearly departed figure that it fails to sufficiently grapple with the contradictions and flaws that all great artists possess. There are only so many times you can praise someone's independent streak and entrepreneurial vision before it starts to sound a little like sponsored content."Weiss, Jeff (March 23, 2021). "Review: Nipsey Hussle, the Late Canonical South L.A. Rapper, Gets His First Biography". Los Angeles Times.
== Chapter list ==
* Chapter 1: True Story
* Chapter 2: Slauson Boy
* Chapter 3: On Hood
* Chapter 4: Eritrea
* Chapter 5: Hussle in the House
* Chapter 6: All Money In
* Chapter 7: Marathon Mode
* Chapter 8: Proud 2 Pay
* Chapter 9: FDT
* Chapter 10: Victory Lap
* Chapter 11: Exit Strategy
* Chapter 12: Too Big to Fail
* Chapter 13: Higher and Higher
== Gallery ==
File:The Marathon Don't Stop - The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle (2).jpg
== References ==
Category:Books