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

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.