Report: Nipsey Hussle’s estate faces lawsuit over “Hussle & Motivate”

Tasleema Yasin, a Los Angeles-based singer, claims she wrote a portion of the deceased rapper’s single.

September 05, 2019
Report: Nipsey Hussle’s estate faces lawsuit over “Hussle & Motivate” Nipsey Hussle performs onstage at the Warner Music Pre-Grammy Party. February 7, 2019.   Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Warner Music

A singer in Los Angeles has sued Nipsey Hussle's estate and claims to be an uncredited co-author on the rapper's single "Hussle & Motivate," TMZ reports.

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The claim was reportedly filed in L.A. Superior Court by Tasleema Yasin. She claims to have written a "prominent vocal phrase" in the Victory Lap song, and claims to appear in the song's chorus and countermelody. Yasin's suit reportedly isn't asking for a specific amount of money until the rapper's label hands over accounting details.

From the complaint via Complex:

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"In November of 2016, I collaborated with decedent Ermias Joseph Asghedom [aka Nipsey Hussle] on a musical track entitled "Hussle & Motivate." I wrote and performed the ascending four-note vocal phrase featured throughout the song's runtime, as well as a countermelody in my higher register featured prominently during the song's chorus...

Asghedom was obligated to credit and account to me for my ratable share of any monies earned by Asghedom in connection with 'Hussle & Motivate.'"


Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 31, 2019.

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Report: Nipsey Hussle’s estate faces lawsuit over “Hussle & Motivate”