Black Sam, Nipsey Hussle’s older brother, has a story that’s as intense and dramatic as any West Coast legend. From burying $250,000 in their mom’s backyard to narrowly escaping death from police bullets, his life has been a whirlwind of hustling, family loyalty, and surviving in South Central LA’s notorious Rolling 60s neighborhood.
Growing up, Sam tried to be a good example for Nipsey (or Nip) amidst the daily crime and violence. Despite living in a Crip neighborhood, Sam never joined the gang. Instead, he hustled from a young age, starting with washing cars and eventually moving weight across the country. He even made millions selling bootleg DVDs, until the feds caught up with him and seized his earnings and properties.
At 18, Sam had so much street money he had to bury $250,000 in his mom’s backyard. Unfortunately, over $100,000 was lost to mold when they dug it up. Nip referenced this in his music, showcasing the raw and real experiences they went through.
Sam’s influence on Nip was significant. He sought to feed his family and make money without gangbanging. But Nip couldn’t stay out of the gang life and joined the Rolling 60s at 14. The Rolling 60s are one of LA’s most infamous Crip sets, with a violent history that includes the brutal murder of an NFL player’s family in 1984. This incident brought heavy police attention to the gang.
Despite the chaos, a trip to Africa in 2004 with their father had a profound impact on Sam and Nip. They returned with a mission, selling clothes and CDs from the trunk of Sam’s car before moving to a storefront. Their hustle caught the eyes of the police, leading to multiple raids and arrests, but they never gave up.
By 2009, Nipsey’s rap career was taking off, with Sam always backing him up. They opened the Marathon clothing store in 2017, a massive win for their community. But tragedy struck in 2017 when their best friend Fats was murdered, reportedly by Rolling 60s members over a turf dispute involving their weed shop.
Sam continued to face danger. In 2018, he was arrested after a violent incident at their shop, although he posted a $1 million bond and kept pushing forward. They eventually bought the building housing their store, ensuring they couldn’t be evicted.
The biggest blow came in 2019 when Nipsey was murdered outside the Marathon store by Eric Holder, a fellow Rolling 60s member. Sam was devastated, arriving just after the shooting and trying to save Nipsey. After Nipsey’s death, Sam has been dedicated to preserving his brother’s legacy, fighting off attempts by the Crips to trademark ‘The Marathon Continues,’ and ensuring Nipsey’s kids are taken care of.
Sam’s resilience and dedication to his brother’s memory and their community are unwavering. While Nipsey was the face, Sam was the backbone, and he continues to push forward, making sure Nipsey’s legacy lives on.
Black Sam’s journey is a testament to resilience and loyalty in the face of unimaginable challenges. From hustling in South Central to fighting off rivals and police, Sam has always kept his family’s interests at heart. His efforts to preserve Nipsey Hussle’s legacy ensure that the marathon, indeed, continues.
