Nipsey Hussle’s legacy will live on in apparel. Today (Sept. 5), Puma unleashed the highly-anticipated Marathon Clothing collection, which features 19 unique pieces and is giving 100% of net proceeds to the Neighborhood ‘Nip’ Foundation. Well-respected for his entrepreneurial efforts, which included supporting black-owned businesses while pushing his The Marathon Continues brand and movement, Nipsey Hussle was seen as a champion of the people. The Los Angeles rapper was gunned down on March 31 in the Hyde Park neighborhood where the Marathon store was based. He was 33.
The new Puma collection is available for purchase at select Shoe Palace locations as well as online at shoepalace.com. Other items include tracksuits, hoodies, graphic T-shirts, and the California sneaker in multiple colors.
Beyond the music, the Victory Lap rapper was always a man of integrity and community. In addition, he was well-respected for his entrepreneurial efforts which include supporting black-owned businesses while pushing his The Marathon Continues brand and movement. Nip was not only seen as a champion of the people, but motivated all those around him.
Says Shoe Palace senior vice president John Mersho of the late rapper’s legacy: “Nipsey’s music will always be remembered, but more importantly, the man will be remembered. His legacy is bigger than music, and that is the greatest compliment I could give him. He inspired a lot of people, including myself, to give back. For me, that’s his legacy.”
Shoe Palace is the only retailer to carry the limited collection — a no-brainer for the company, Mersho reveals. “There was no decision at all,” he says. “There was never a question about where 100% of the proceeds were going. This project was never about profit, this was always about the Neighborhood Nip Foundation.”
The 26-year-old Shoe Palace sees purpose in aligning with Nipsey Hussle. “Again, this is about honoring Nipsey and keeping his mission alive,” says Mersho. “This isn’t about Shoe Palace, this isn’t about me, and I think Puma would agree that it isn’t about them either – this is about Nipsey. This is bigger than Shoe Palace. This is about so much more than business for us. I’m looking forward to celebrating his life with this collection.”