On March 1, 2025, the streets of Los Angeles buzzed with anticipation as Marathon Burger, a new restaurant venture under The Marathon (Brand), officially opened its doors on Melrose Avenue. The grand opening, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, was more than just the launch of a dining spot—it was a celebration of the enduring legacy of Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom, a rapper, entrepreneur, and community visionary whose influence continues to ripple through his hometown and beyond. Nearly six years after his tragic death on March 31, 2019, Hussle’s dream of building a multifaceted lifestyle brand is taking a bold step forward with Marathon Burger, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to uplifting his community.
The Marathon Continues: A Vision Rooted in Endurance
Nipsey Hussle was more than a musician; he was a symbol of resilience and self-determination. Born on August 15, 1985, in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Los Angeles, Hussle grew up amidst economic hardship and systemic challenges. Yet, he transformed those circumstances into motivation, crafting a career that defied convention. In 2010, he launched The Marathon (Brand) with the release of his mixtape The Marathon, a project that not only showcased his lyrical prowess but also laid the foundation for a broader enterprise. “The Marathon” became more than a catchy title—it was a philosophy. As his brother Sam “Blacc Sam” Asghedom explained in an interview with CBS News, “I think Marathon brand, created by Hussle, was kind of like to inspire and to just motivate, and it just means to keep going. It’s not a race, it’s a pace, do it on your own.”
Hussle’s vision was expansive. He didn’t just want to make music; he aimed to create a legacy that spanned music, fashion, food, hospitality, and entertainment—a full lifestyle brand that reflected his values of ownership, community investment, and cultural pride. The opening of Marathon Burger is a tangible realization of that dream, a step toward fulfilling the blueprint he laid out before his life was cut short at the age of 33. Shot and killed outside his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles, Hussle’s death sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world and beyond. Yet, his family, friends, and collaborators refused to let his vision die with him. Under the stewardship of Blacc Sam and The Marathon team, his legacy has not only endured but flourished.
Marathon Burger: A New Chapter in the Legacy
Located at 7507 Melrose Avenue in LA’s Fairfax District, Marathon Burger is more than a restaurant—it’s a cultural hub that embodies Hussle’s ethos. The grand opening on March 1 was a community affair, complete with live DJs, hourly raffles, and free meals for the first 100 customers, a gesture that echoed Hussle’s spirit of generosity. Blacc Sam, who has been instrumental in carrying forward his brother’s work, was behind the grill, serving up the signature Marathon Burger—a wagyu beef smashburger topped with gourmet Fresno peppers, house-made pickles, and a secret sauce, all nestled between a toasted brioche bun. The menu also features a variety of options, from fried chicken sandwiches and portobello mushroom burgers to wings, fries, and milkshakes made with Thrifty ice cream, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
The restaurant’s journey began as a pop-up in October 2024, testing the waters before transitioning into a fully remodeled brick-and-mortar space. Its location on Melrose Avenue, a vibrant corridor known for its blend of fashion, art, and dining, marks a strategic expansion of The Marathon (Brand) beyond its South LA roots. While some fans speculated that Marathon Burger might open at the Fatburger location on Slauson and Crenshaw—a spot tied to Hussle’s personal history—the choice of Melrose reflects a deliberate move to broaden the brand’s reach while staying true to its identity. The dining room itself is a tribute to Hussle, adorned with images of the late rapper, ensuring that his presence is felt in every bite and every moment spent there.
In a statement shared across multiple platforms, The Marathon team expressed their excitement: “The Marathon team is excited to expand the brand into the restaurant industry here in LA. When Nipsey birthed The Marathon (Brand), launching it with The Marathon mixtape in 2010, the goal was always to enterprise this into a full lifestyle brand—music, fashion, food/hospitality, and entertainment. This is another step towards reaching Hussle’s vision.” For Blacc Sam, the opening was deeply personal. Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, he noted, “Me and Hussle worked together cooking and so we always said ‘Man, we need to get a restaurant. We know how to run it.’ So, this would align with his vision for the Marathon brand and expanding the brand.”
From Crenshaw to Melrose: A Legacy of Community and Innovation
Hussle’s entrepreneurial journey began in the streets of Crenshaw, where he sold mixtapes out of his car before opening the Marathon Clothing store in 2017. That flagship “smart store” was a groundbreaking concept, blending retail with technology and community engagement. It was part of a larger plan to revitalize his neighborhood, offering jobs, resources, and inspiration to a community often overlooked by mainstream investment. His ventures extended beyond clothing—he co-founded Vector90, a STEM initiative for Crenshaw youth, and invested in real estate and other businesses, all aimed at creating economic empowerment.
Marathon Burger builds on this foundation, bringing Hussle’s principles of quality, authenticity, and inclusivity into the culinary world. The menu’s diversity—from vegan patties to tiger shrimp baskets—mirrors the diversity of Los Angeles itself, a city Hussle championed throughout his life. The restaurant’s commitment to fresh, organic ingredients and made-to-order dishes reflects his attention to detail, a trait evident in his music and business dealings. As Blacc Sam told NBC Los Angeles, “Everything in here you get is tailor-made to be the best, so we took our time to bring in all organic products.”
The move to Melrose Avenue also signifies growth. While Crenshaw remains the heart of The Marathon (Brand), the expansion to a new neighborhood demonstrates the scalability of Hussle’s vision. It’s a step toward his dream of seeing the brand in stores and spaces across California and beyond, as Blacc Sam articulated in a 2022 documentary:
“This is something we always spoke about. Nipsey, Fatts, Adam, and I had a goal to get a legitimate licensed store and have our brand in other stores across the state.” Marathon Burger isn’t just a singular venture—it’s a potential launching pad for a chain that could carry Hussle’s message nationwide.

A Month of Milestones: Marathon Burger and Beyond
March 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal month for Hussle’s legacy. Beyond the opening of Marathon Burger, The Neighborhood Nip Foundation—another cornerstone of his impact—is gearing up for the 2025 Los Angeles Marathon on March 16. As an official charity partner, the foundation, alongside Marathon Burger and Marathon Clothing, is sponsoring a team of runners to raise funds for the Nipsey Hussle Plaza revitalization project. Located at the original Marathon Clothing site on Slauson Avenue, the plaza serves as the foundation’s headquarters and a symbol of Hussle’s commitment to his roots. Last year’s marathon saw over 60 runners raise more than $100,000, and this year’s effort aims to build on that success, supporting youth programming and community initiatives.
The timing of these events is poignant. March 31 will mark six years since Hussle’s murder, a day that remains bittersweet for his family, friends, and fans. The opening of Marathon Burger and the marathon partnership serve as powerful counterpoints to that tragedy, transforming a month of mourning into one of celebration and progress.
They underscore the idea that Hussle’s marathon—a journey of endurance and purpose—continues unabated.
Justice and Legacy: A Foundation That Endures
The road to this moment hasn’t been easy. Hussle’s death at the hands of Eric R. Holder, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison in 2023, left a void in the community and the music industry. Yet, the legal resolution brought a measure of closure, allowing his loved ones to focus on preserving his legacy rather than seeking justice. That legacy is multifaceted: it’s in his Grammy-winning music, his innovative business ventures, and the countless lives he touched through his activism.
Marathon Burger is a living extension of that legacy, a place where fans and newcomers alike can connect with Hussle’s story. It’s a reminder that his influence transcends entertainment—he was a businessman who understood the power of ownership in a world that often denies it to people from his background. His “Proud 2 Pay” campaign, where he sold limited-edition mixtapes at premium prices (like $100 for Crenshaw and $1,000 for Mailbox Money), was a bold statement about value and self-worth, one that inspired a generation of artists and entrepreneurs.
A Cultural Beacon in Los Angeles
Marathon Burger joins a lineage of hip-hop-inspired dining ventures in Los Angeles, from Donald Glover’s Jellyman to Juicy Pizza by the daughters of Jam Master Jay and Biggie Smalls. Yet, it stands apart for its deep ties to Hussle’s philosophy and community focus. The restaurant isn’t just about profit—it’s about fostering connection, creating opportunities, and honoring a man who changed the narrative of what it means to succeed from the streets of South LA.
As Marathon Burger establishes itself in the competitive LA dining scene, it carries forward Hussle’s principles of endurance and excellence. The playful collaboration with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants—offering a “Krabby Patty” for the show’s 25th anniversary—adds a layer of fun, blending nostalgia with innovation in a way Hussle would likely have appreciated. It’s a small but telling example of how The Marathon (Brand) continues to evolve while staying rooted in its mission.
Conclusion: The Marathon Runs On
Nipsey Hussle once said, “The game is gonna test you, but never fold. Stay ten toes down. It’s not on you, it’s in you, and what’s in you, they can’t take away.” Marathon Burger is proof of that resilience. It’s a brick-and-mortar embodiment of a dream that refused to die, carried forward by a team dedicated to seeing Hussle’s vision through.
As customers line up for a taste of the Marathon Burger, they’re not just eating—they’re participating in a legacy of perseverance, community, and pride.
Six years after his passing, Nipsey Hussle’s marathon continues to inspire. Marathon Burger is more than a restaurant; it’s a milestone in a journey that’s far from over. In the words of Blacc Sam, “It’s a blessing.” And for Los Angeles—and the world—it’s a reminder that Nipsey Hussle’s legacy lives on, one burger, one step, one victory at a time.