30 for 30 Podcasts and The Undefeated Present The King of Crenshaw

30 for 30 Podcasts and The Undefeated present The King of Crenshaw, a four-part podcast series that focuses on how the late Nipsey Hussle’s life, death and legacy deeply impacted the sports world. This series aims to examine how that overlap of Black male creativity, talent and ambition will forever live on in Nipsey’s responsibility to his neighborhood. And how NBA players are vowing to continue his marathon moving forward. The series kicks off on Monday, August 23rd.

Shortly before a home tip off against the Charlotte Hornets on March 31, 2019, then-Golden State Warriors center Demarcus Cousins sat at his locker in a daze. Less than an hour earlier, Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was murdered in front of his Marathon clothing store in South Central Los Angeles. Cousins, who earlier that same day was posting Hussle’s music on his Instagram Stories, was stunned. “Everyone knows I’m a huge Nipsey fan,” Cousins said. “He’s more to me than just a rapper. He’s an icon.”

Hussle’s death at 33 reverberated internationally, across sports from MLB and the NFL to the U.S. Women’s national soccer team, but especially in the NBA. Father, MC, entrepreneur, community leader, Rollin 60s Crip: Hussle wore many hats in his brief time on Earth. He was someone athletes looked to for motivation, not only to prepare for games, but because his dedication to living a life of respect and principle resonated with them. His music became life mantras, and his commitment to his community coincided with social justice advocacy becoming an integral part of the sports fabric in America.

Many of those athletes are from the same area where Nipsey grew up, and ultimately lost his life. Many people, in particular young Black men, saw themselves in him and his death leaves a tangible void in those who practiced what he preached. In death, his mantra, “The Marathon Continues,” has taken on added significance for many athletes.

The King of Crenshaw will paint a picture of how a South Central Los Angeles demigod inspired the athletes who inspire millions.

The Undefeated’s Senior Culture and Sports Writer, Justin Tinsley, who has written extensively about Nipsey, will help narrate this tragic, yet inspirational story on the intersection between sports and music.

Key Characters

original in-depth interviews

Two time NBA All-Star, Isaiah Thomas
Four time NBA All-Star, DeMar DeRozan
Four time NBA All-Star, DeMarcus Cousins
Nipsey’s brother, Blacc Sam
Cobby Supreme
Pacman da Gunman
J-Stone
Culture Critic, Gerrick Kennedy
Devi Brown
Professor of African American studie at Penn State University, Amira Rose Davis
Executive Director of the UCLA Social Justice Research Partnership, Jorja Leap

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.