Letter To Nipsey

Album: Single release only (2020)
Charted: 73
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 33-year-old Nipsey Hussle was murdered outside his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch pay tribute during this touching number to the late rapper and entrepreneur.
  • Meek Mill takes the first verse, in which the Philly native explains that though he wasn't especially close to Nipsey, his death has had a huge impact on him.

    And I ain't finna sit here, act like I'm your main homie
    But when we lost you, it really put some pain on me
    Got me scared to go outside without that flame on me


    The shooting of Nipsey had a practical effect on Meek. Now he is wary of going out into the world without a "flame" (gun) for self defense.
  • Roddy had a strong relationship with Nipsey, and during the chorus he reflects that "only God knows" why his friend had to die. The Compton rapper then goes into an intense verse where he talks about the tears he "bawled out" when he saw Nipsey's body. Roddy concludes his bars by shouting out several of the slain rapper's closest friends and family.
  • Meek and Roddy debuted this song during the tribute to Nipsey at the 2020 Grammys. Following the awards show, the two rappers released "Letter To Nipsey" as a standalone single on January 27, 2020. Meek announced that the proceeds of its sale will all go towards Nipsey's family.
  • Both Roddy Ricch and Meek Mill had worked with Nipsey prior to his passing. Less than a month before his murder, Nipsey had teased a joint project with Mill. Roddy's most notable collaboration with the fallen rapper was the 2019 track, "Racks in the Middle."
  • It was Roddy Ricch's breakout single, "Die Young," which turned Meek Mill onto his music. He recruited Ricch to contribute a verse on his 2018 track "Splash Warning" before signing the Compton MC onto his Dreamchasers label.
  • Papamitrou supplied the beat. A frequent collaborator of Meek Mill, he is the first producer officially signed to the Philly rapper's Dreamchasers record label.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?