Last week, LA rapper Nipsey Hussle announced he'd sell a limited run of his new album, Crenshaw, for $100 online and at a hometown pop-up shop—sort of like an on-the-street Kickstarter campagin. Explaining the album's high price tag, he wrote:
The reason I chose to charge $100 dollars each copy and only start with 1000 units is because I tailor making my music for those who are listening...I’m more or less focused on fully serving the ones that have connected all ready. That being said its a value over volume thing…if I’m goin to offer a product made with no compromise or concession to the platforms (radio, A&R opinion, label bias) ect…ect..then the way we sale it has to change...I have over 400k followers on twitter 140k on Instagram and 400k on Facebook but what good are they if they don’t mobilize around my releases? if only 1000 of those people are engaged to the point of brand loyalty then that’s who I’m focused on...#fuccthemiddleman
Reportedly, Nipsey exceeded his goal, selling over 1000 albums for $100 apiece. And now, he's released the project for free. Crenshaw features appearances from Rick Ross, James Fauntleroy, Dom Kennedy, TeeFlii, Z-Ro, and Slim Thug. There's also a Sade sample that's credited as a feature. On first listen, "Don't Take Days Off," above, is an early standout, with Nipsey floating effortlessly over Remixx's ethereal beat.
Download: Nipsey Hussle, Crenshaw
