Books

7 books that inspired the philosophy of Nipsey Hussle

ROLLINGOUT.COM — Nipsey Hussle often shared keen insight on entrepreneurship, self-awareness and societal issues through his music. An avid reader, many of the views Nipsey presented in his raps came from books that helped him to see the world differently. Here are seven books that guided the philosophy of Nipsey Hussle.

Published

7 years ago

April 17, 2019

A.R. Shaw

By A.R. Shaw

Nipsey Hussle often shared keen insight on entrepreneurship, self-awareness and societal issues through his music. An avid reader, many of the views Nipsey presented in his raps came from books that helped him to see the world differently.

Here are seven books that guided the philosophy of Nipsey Hussle.

The Spook Who Sat By The Door

Written by Sam Greenlee in 1968, the fictional story follows Dan Freeman, the first Black CIA officer and former gang member in Chicago, as he learns the tactics of the CIA. Freeman later uses the skills that he learned at the CIA and goes to war against the American government. Mentioned on the song “Blue Laces 2,” Nipsey had plans of naming his last album after the book.

Message To The Blackman In America

Written by Elijah Muhammad in 1965, the book provides insight on how Black men can take steps toward self-improvement. T.I. revealed during an Instagram live chat on April 3, 2019, that Nipsey Hussle gave him the book.

Contagious

Written by Jonah Berger, Contagious provides marketing tips on how to make products more attractive to buyers. After reading the book, Nipsey came up with the idea to sell his Crenshaw mixtape for $100 apiece. Inspired by Nipsey’s business acumen, Jay-Z bought 100 copies.

Three Magic Words: The Key to Power, Peace and Plenty

Written by Uell Stanley Andersen, the book provides tools on how to tap into the power within. During a 2010 interview with Complex, Nipsey discussed the book and said, “It’s about the power of the mind. It’s about the projection of your thoughts into reality.”

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Written by Al Ries and Jack Trout, the book takes a look at rules within marketing that are essential to growth. Nipsey told Forbes that he was given the book by a friend and used some of the rules for his own journey in the music business.

Power vs. Force

Written by David R. Hawkins, the book delves into the impact of how and why choices are made. In a 2019 interview with Clash, Nipsey discussed the book and said, “There’s a chapter called the ‘Levels of Human Consciousness’ and what the whole premise is [is] that basically the power of frequency of your action is informed by the intention, and there’s a chart of all these different intentions that you can have.’”

Blood In My Eye

Written by George L. Jackson months before he was killed in 1971 while doing time at San Quentin State Prison, the book tells the life story of Jackson, who served 11 years in prison for allegedly stealing $70 from a gas station. Jackson would become an activist while in prison. Nipsey mentioned that he was inspired by the book during a 2010 interview with Complex.

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

A.R. Shaw

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Arts and Culture

Book Review: Books on Black History and Black Life for Kids

For the youngest reader, “As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons” by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press, $18.99) is a book for young Black boys and for their mothers. It’s a hope inside a prayer that the world treats a child gently, and it could make a great baby shower gift.

Published

17 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo of Black History Month book covers by Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c. 2025, 2026, Publishers: Various, SRPs: $17.99-$18.99, Page Counts: Various,

Everybody in your family has stories to share.

Your parents have told you some, no doubt. Your grandparents have offered a few, too, and aunties and uncles have spun some good tales. But there’s so much more to know, so grab one of these great books and learn about Black History and Black life.

For the youngest reader, “As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons” by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press, $18.99) is a book for young Black boys and for their mothers. It’s a hope inside a prayer that the world treats a child gently, and it could make a great baby shower gift.

If someone said you couldn’t do something that you were clearly able to do, would you fight to do it anyhow? In the new book, “Remember Her Name! Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame” by Tami Charles, illustrated by Meredith Lucius (Charlesbridge, $17.99), a young girl in the Jim Crow South is told that she can’t dance because of the color of her skin.

She didn’t listen, though, and neither did her mother, who took her daughter to Mexico, where the girl soared! This is an inspiration for any 5-to-7-year-old; be sure to check out the back-of-the-book information, if you’re an adult fan.

Do you often hear your elders say things that sound like lessons? They might be, so “Where There is Love: A Story of African Proverbs” by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Leticia Moreno (Penguin Workshop, $18.99) is a book you’ll like. It’s a quick-to-read collection of short proverbs that you can say every day. Kids ages 4-to-6 will easily remember what they find in this book; again, look in the back for more information.

Surely, you love your neighborhood, which is why the tale inside “Main Street: A Community Story about Redlining” by Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Penguin Kokila, $18.99) is a book for you.

Olivia’s neighborhood is having a block party, but she’s sad when no one shows up. That’s when she learns that “the government” is discriminating against the people and businesses near where she lives. So, what can she and her neighbors do? The answer might inspire 6-to-8-year-old kids to stand up to wrongs they see, and to help make their neighborhoods stronger and safer.

And finally, if a kid wants a book, where can they go to find it? In “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy” by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam (Random House, $18.99) is a good introduction to the best of what a library has to offer. The freedom to walk into a library and borrow a book is the theme here, as is the sheer happiness of being welcomed, no matter who you are. This is an easy book for kids as young as two and as old as five to enjoy.

On that note, if you want more, head to that library, or a nearby bookstore. They’ll be glad to see you. They’ve got stories to share.