⁠“Why they got him standing like that” — Internet reacts to Nipsey Hussle’s wax figure unveiled at Invest fest in Atlanta

On August 23, 2024, a life-size wax figure of Nipsey Hussle exhibited at Invest Fest in Atlanta drew many people’s attention on social media. People at the event and fans were waiting to see the wax figure in honor of the rapper who died in 2019.

Nipsey Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was a celebrated American rapper, singer, and activist whose music and philanthropic activities positively impacted South Central Los Angeles. He was tragically shot and killed on March 31, 2019, outside his Marathon Clothing store, leaving behind a legacy that continues to impact the world.

Soon after the wax figure was unveiled, different reactions flooded the fans' social media pages. The reception to the statue has not been very positive, with many fans voicing their disappointment, claiming that the figure does not look good and is positioned poorly.

One user expressed it on X by writing,

“Why they got him standing like that”

Many others agreed by stating that the pose of the wax figure was not fitting.

"What made them go with that pose," one user wrote.

“The pose man.......it will probably look better against a wall tbh,” another user commented.

"Why he on one leg like that?" one user wrote, expressing their disappointment.

However, some fans appreciated the attempt to pay respect to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle although they believed it could have been done better.

"Figure looks legit, like he’s about to move and blink uncanny! But that pose is wack. Just stand that man up on two feet please!" one fan wrote on X.

"Look so real thought I saw it move," another user agreed.

"This is one of the best wax figures I’ve ever seen. Gotta give credit to the artist," another user wrote.

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Nipsey Hussle’s work and legacy

Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2018. (Photo via Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Nipsey Hussle was a musician and a visionary who sought to transform his community through economic empowerment. According to Forbes, he co-founded the Marathon Clothing store in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles. The shop became more than just a clothing store; it became a center for fashion, social causes, and a movement.

Nipsey also invested in real estate development. He believed he could change the community he grew up in by acquiring properties and transforming them into houses that would be let out at reasonable rates, together with shops for local business people.

In 2010, Nipsey Hussle founded the record label 'All Money In' to avoid traditional record label companies for his music and other businesses. According to Billboard, his technique in the music business was innovative; he released his 2013 mixtape Crenshaw in a limited edition to sell at $100 each, which got the attention of many, including Jay-Z.

With his first studio album, Victory Lap, published in 2018, Nipsey achieved positive reviews and high record sales. The album, which included collaborations with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Diddy, was a compilation of his works, and it was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.

According to Billboard, his efforts earned him posthumous recognition, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 2020 for his song Racks in the Middle.