Rapper Nipsey Hussle was tragically shot and killed on March 31, 2019 in front of his own store, The Marathon Clothing, in South Los Angeles. While his presence and positive influence were certainly felt most in South LA where he grew up, his murder has been met nationally with an outpouring of support as his work as a rapper and community leader has come into the spotlight.
Ink Empire, a tattoo shop at Chicon and Rosewood in Austin, Texas.
Tracy and his wife Matilda Honey have made East Austin home for their tattoo shop. Working together with one of their artists, Raymond “Rage” Mendoza (shown here), they put up a mural to honor Nipsey on the outside of their shop.
Tracy (left) pulls up a YouTube interview with Nipsey (0:36) from early in his career to explain why he was such an inspiration. When asked why he wasn’t “blinging” like so many other rappers Nipsey explains, “All that is cool for the image and all that, but all them is liabilities ya feel me? I’d rather invest in some real estate...invest in some assets as opposed to trick off my money on some liabilities like diamonds...cars that lose value as soon as you drive them off the lot...A real asset, take care of my people.”
Tracy explains, “First and foremost, we’re a black-owned business, which is something I take pride in. It’s not as praised as it should be.” Nipsey may have been a famous rapper at the time of his death, but he certainly came from humble beginnings. “Someone like Nipsey shows you there’s no limit. That’s someone I want to be like.”
In addition to Nipsey’s business-minded attitude, he also preached unity. As a self-proclaimed Compton Crip, Nipsey made a point of collaborating with rappers from his rival gang, the Bloods. In his video for “Last Time That I Checc’d” he raps alongside YG both wearing their respective gang colors—blue and red. While Nipsey stopped gangbanging when he shifted his energy and focus to rapping, he didn’t shy away from his past.
“We have a tattoo shop. Who's to say we can’t have a burger spot, a barber shop?” While Tracy and Matilda’s business is still young, Tracy pointed to a couple of lines from Nipsey’s last release “Racks In The Middle” which stuck out to him. “Champagne while I shop, hope I splurge foolish / Closin' escrow twice this month, both commercial units”.
From left to right, Raymond “Rage” Mendoza, Matilda Honey, and Tracy at Ink Empire tattoo shop on Chicon and Rosewood in Austin, Texas.