Nipsey Hussle

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Lore & Background

Victory Lap was greeted with widespread critical acclaim, described by Ian McQuaid of The Guardian as 'visceral West Coast rap at its unapologetic finest' where Hussle 'effortlessly claims his place as crown prince of G-funk's new school.' While McQuaid noted that 'at least half the album feels like padding,' he praised the 'oozing bass swagger and slinking Compton synths.' Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork labeled it 'the most gripping record in his catalog,' observing that while Hussle's tactics can be 'tone-deaf and without nuance,' he knows exactly who he is speaking to. Trent Clark of HipHopDX concluded that the album sets a new benchmark for quality, stating 'the race to officially hit the championship podium is only getting revved up.' HotNewHipHop added that the production is masterful and features are well-placed, capturing the emotion of Hussle's victorious moment.

In Their Own Story

The album features guest appearances from Stacy Barthe, YG, Puff Daddy, Kendrick Lamar, Buddy, Konshens, J-Black, TeeFlii, The-Dream, CeeLo Green, and Marsha Ambrosius, with bonus tracks featuring Dom Kennedy and Belly. Production details reveal intricate sampling: 'Victory Lap' interpolates Arctic Monkeys' 'Knee Socks,' while 'Hussle & Motivate' samples Jay-Z's 'Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem).' The track 'Young Nigga' layers samples from PartyNextDoor, Ginuwine, and Curtis Mayfield. Following Hussle's death on March 31, 2019, the album saw a surge in popularity, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 in April 2019 with 66,000 units sold. Three tracks—'Double Up,' 'Last Time That I Checc'd,' and 'Dedication'—debuted on the Hot 100 that same week. On February 16, 2023, exactly five years after its release, the RIAA certified Victory Lap double platinum for over two million units.

Reader's Guide

For listeners exploring Nipsey Hussle's discography, Victory Lap serves as his definitive studio statement, bridging thirteen years of mixtapes with mainstream success. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 units in its first week, including 30,000 traditional sales. It also peaked at number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart upon release. Fans should note that 'Succa Proof' originally lacked credited vocals from Konshens and J-Black, while tracks like 'Victory Lap,' 'Hussle & Motivate,' and 'Real Big' feature additional vocals by Lauren London. The album's longevity is evident in its posthumous performance; after reaching a new peak of number two in April 2019 behind Billie Eilish's When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, it achieved double platinum status five years later. Critics highlighted its balance of classic and contemporary hip-hop, with HotNewHipHop noting that 'the race for the victory paid off.'

Did You Know?

• Victory Lap was Hussle's first major commercial release after thirteen years of releasing mixtapes.
• The album reached a new peak of number two on the Billboard 200 in April 2019, following Nipsey Hussle's death.
• Three tracks from the album debuted on the Hot 100 in April 2019: 'Double Up', 'Last Time That I Checc'd', and 'Racks in the Middle'.
• The song 'Young Nigga' samples 'I'm Still in Love with You' by Al Green and 'The World Is a Ghetto' by War.
• Victory Lap was certified double platinum by the RIAA on February 16, 2023, marking five years since its release.