How Los Angeles Metro Is Honoring Late Rapper

In honor of Nipsey Hussle‘s legacy on what would have been his 40th birthday (Aug. 15), the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) temporarily renamed Hyde Park station as Nipsey Hussle Station. Two limited edition TAP cards featuring the late rapper were also released on Friday as part of the L.A. transit agency’s Metro x Culture series, which highlights the city’s cultural landscape, artists, musicians and community figures.

“The Hussle family is proud to be partnering with Metro for the renaming of the station in honor of Nipsey for his 40th birthday,” Nipsey’s family says in a statement released at the campaign’s launch. “Access to Metro played a vital role in providing transportation from South Central to Watts to pursue his early musical aspirations. Metro helped bridge the gap, not just between neighborhoods, but between his vision and his future. Metro provides access and opportunity to so many people who without this resource wouldn’t be able to pursue their passions. The family hopes insight to Hussle’s early years utilizing the Metro will bring light to Hussle’s favorite quote, ‘The highest human act is to inspire.’”

The TAP card designs — available in a release limited to 12,000 at select Metro station ticket vending machines, Metro Customer Care centers and through Metro’s LIFE Program — include “Crenshaw & Slauson,” which shows a black-and-white portrait of Hussle at the intersection captured by photographer Jonathan Mannion, and “Watts” (seen below), which depicts the rapper on a Metro bus.

The station known in the short-term as Nipsey Hussle Station will hold on to its new name through Aug. 31.

Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins notes, “Hussle’s legacy goes far beyond music. He was a visionary who understood the power of community, connection and opportunity. At Metro, we share his belief that public transportation is more than just a way to get around; it’s a vital lifeline that can unite neighborhoods, open doors and uplift lives. Honoring Hussle with these commemorative TAP cards and temporarily renaming the Hyde Park station is our way of celebrating his enduring impact on Los Angeles and reaffirming our commitment to building an accessible, inclusive transit system that serves all Angelenos.”

Nipsey Hussle died in 2019. He was murdered in a daytime shooting in front of his Marathon Clothing store in South Central Los Angeles.