Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, was fatally shot outside his Marathon Clothing store in his South-Central Los Angeles neighborhood in March 2019. In the wake of his death, his brother, Sam Asghedom, aka Blacc Sam, legally became the administrator of the late rapper’s estate.
Today, the spirit of Nipsey Hussle lives on as his brother, Blacc Sam, expands The Marathon brand into the restaurant industry with the grand opening of Marathon Burger in Los Angeles, according to CBS News.
Located at 7507 Melrose Avenue, the new eatery celebrated its official launch on March 1, 2025, drawing crowds of fans, community members, and celebrities like YG, NLE Choppa, and Ab-Soul.
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Marathon Burger is a testament to Nipsey Hussle’s entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to uplifting the community. Blacc Sam shared that the idea for the burger joint was inspired by Nipsey Hussle’s dream of owning a restaurant.
“Me and my brother, when we were younger, used to work at a restaurant. We was back there cooking. We always was like, ‘Man when we right, it’s time, we need to get a restaurant because already know how to run it,’” Blacc Sam recalled in an interview with KCAL News.
The restaurant’s name and concept are deeply tied to Nipsey Hussle’s Marathon Clothing store and his mantra, “The marathon continues.” Blacc Sam emphasized that the brand represents endurance, hard work, and staying committed to one’s goals — values that Nipsey Hussle embodied throughout his life.
Marathon Burger offers a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes, featuring smash burgers made with high-quality Wagyu beef, vegan-friendly options like plant-based and portobello mushroom burgers, and classic sides such as hot wings and milkshakes.
The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, organic ingredients, with even the pickles and vegan patties made in-house. A nostalgic touch is added with milkshakes made from Thrifty ice cream, a favorite among Los Angeles locals, as per KCAL.
Nipsey Hussle’s legacy extends far beyond music. After launching The Marathon brand in 2010, he envisioned it as a lifestyle brand encompassing music, fashion, food, and entertainment. Marathon Burger is the latest step in realizing that vision, with plans to expand the brand further, according to CBS News.
Blacc Sam sees the restaurant as a way to keep Nipsey Hussle’s memory alive while creating opportunities for the community. “Anything we can continue doing in that spirit is always a blessing,” he said.
