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Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
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English
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THE MARATHON DON'T STOP

Rob Kenner

The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle

This is the first in-depth biography of Nipsey Hussle, the hip hop mogul, artist, and activist whose transformative legacy inspired a generation with his motivational lyrics and visionary business savvy - before he was tragically shot down in the very neighborhood he was dedicated to building up.
In the ten years since he first met Nipsey Hussle in the offices of Vibe, journalist Rob Kenner followed Hussle's career, paying close attention to the music and business movement he was building in Los Angeles. Ten years later, they spoke again. To Kenner, it became clear that Hussle had been underestimated his entire life - not just for his artistry but also for his intellect and intentions.

For Nipsey Hussle, "The Marathon" was more than a mixtape title or the name of a clothing store; it was a way of life, a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of excellence and the willpower required to overcome adversity day after day. Hussle was determined to win the race to success on his own terms, and he wanted to see his whole community in the winner's circle with him.

Combining on-the-ground reporting and candid interviews with Hussle's friends, family, and peers, The Marathon Don't Stop traces the life and work of an extraordinary artist, placing him in historical context and unpacking his complex legacy. For the first time ever, members of his inner circle will speak about the man they knew and his determination to maintain integrity amidst the treacherous extremes of street life and the rap game.

The Marathon Don't Stop is a journalistic account of Nipsey Hussle's life and times, making sense of the forces that shaped a singular figure in hip hop culture.

Rob Kenner is one of the most prolific and influential voices in hip hop publishing. A founding editor of Vibe, Kenner joined the start-up team of Quincy Jones' groundbreaking hip hop monthly in 1992. During a nineteen-year run at Vibe he edited and wrote cover and feature stories on iconic cultural figures ranging from Tupac Shakur to Barack Obama. He's also produced and directed documentary shorts on the likes of De La Soul, Nas, and Post Malone. As an editor at Vibe Books, Kenner worked on the New York Times bestseller Tupac Shakur and contributed to The Vibe History of Hip Hop.
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Published 2021-03-23 by Atria

Comments

Kenner episodically reconstructs Hussle's evolutionary process, the long strides and long game he played to become a master of his own destiny in the voracious rap business, and a generous and visionary community leader in South Central Los Angeles. For those wanting an immersive, concentrated read about why Hussle's run and ting still matters, The Marathon Don't Stop provides layered chapters of incisive and insightful reveals.

Ermias Asghedom's all-too-short life was a pure epic run - from child prodigy, teenage baller, and young G to worldly rapper, hood builder, and global superstar. Rob Kenner's thorough, definitive, and powerful telling of his story captures all of his heart, courage, and commitment. Read it and be inspired.

The Marathon Don't Stop is chronicle of a complex love and Kenner delivers it with the clear-eyed authority that has made him one of the best culture writers of his era.

You may have heard of Nipsey Hussle, but you don't know the awesome story of one of the most inspiring men of his generation. Nipsey was the Tupac of his generation and this book explains why.

Rob Kenner was part of the original editorial team who brought my vision for VIBE magazine to reality, and during his seventeen years at the magazine he always did outstanding work. The Marathon Don't Stop is a beautiful tribute to a legendary artist.

With The Marathon Don't Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle, Rob Kenner has given us the book the world - and hip-hop and pop culture - has been waiting for. It is a powerfully written and reported biography of a life gone too soon, yes. But it is also history, sociology, psychology, and a case study of what is humanly possible, even for those of us born with very little. This is one of the finest pieces of literature about a real life I've ever read, and one that should be celebrated alongside the best biographies ever about iconic figures we have loved - and lost.