Several transit riders will notice a significant change at a South Los Angeles Metro station this summer, as the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced plans to temporarily rename the Hyde Park Station to “Nipsey Hussle Station” from August 15 to August 31, 2025.
The station, located at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue, sits near the late rapper’s childhood neighborhood and will undergo this transformation to coincide with what would have been Hussle’s 40th birthday.
The initiative forms part of the Metro x Culture series, a program designed to celebrate influential Angelenos who have shaped the city’s cultural landscape. Developed in partnership with Nipsey Hussle’s family and estate, the series aims to strengthen connections between public transit and local cultural identity.
The authority will temporarily update all station signage during the two-week commemoration period.
To further mark the occasion, Metro will release two limited-edition TAP cards on August 15, 2025. The “Crenshaw & Slauson” card will feature a black-and-white portrait by photographer Jonathan Mannion, while the “Watts” card displays a color stylized image of Hussle riding a Metro bus. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins noted that Hussle was a visionary focused on community and opportunity through his work. The cards will highlight Nipsey’s belief that access to transit represents access to opportunity for community members.
A total of 12,000 cards will be distributed through selected Metro ticket vending machines and Customer Care centers throughout the system.
Hussle’s family publicly endorsed the collaboration, highlighting how Metro transit played an essential role in his early career.
“Metro connected Nipsey to opportunities as he pursued his musical dreams from South Central to Watts,” they stated in a press release, invoking his favorite quote: “The highest human act is to inspire.”
Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was fatally shot in 2019 at age 33. Beyond his musical accomplishments, he was celebrated for his community activism and business investments in underserved neighborhoods.
The artist exemplified entrepreneurial spirit by establishing diverse income streams through his music, merchandise sales, and community investments before his untimely death.
Music industry experts note that Hussle’s career trajectory embodied the essence of modern independent artistry, from his early days of consistent releases to building a devoted fanbase through authentic storytelling.
The Metro tribute represents one of several ongoing efforts to maintain Hussle’s cultural and social legacy in Los Angeles, particularly in the South L.A. communities where his impact remains profound.
