Out of State Crips and Street Cred

NIPSEY HUSSLE

Alright, y’all, welcome back to TIKTOK’s TRUTH & TALL TALES. I’m your host, Nipsey Hussle—Marcel Everly if you know me from back in the day. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s been sparking debates all over the internet, and honestly, in the streets too: Are Out of State Crips really official? Now, if you’ve been following the scene, you probably caught that heated back-and-forth between 4xtra and 607 Unc on YouTube. Man, those two went at it, and it wasn’t just for the cameras. They were really breaking down what it means to be a Crip, and whether you can claim that if you’re not from the original neighborhoods in L.A.

NIPSEY HUSSLE

So, let’s break down their arguments a little. 4xtra, he’s coming from the angle that being a Crip is about more than just where you’re from—it’s about how you carry yourself, your loyalty, your actions. He’s saying, look, if you’re living by the code, putting in work, and you’re recognized by the homies, then you’re official, no matter if you’re in Texas, New York, or wherever. But 607 Unc, he’s not having it. He’s old school, you know? He’s saying, nah, you gotta be from the soil, from the original set, or it don’t count. To him, it’s about that direct lineage, that connection to the roots.

NIPSEY HUSSLE

And honestly, this ain’t a new debate. I remember back in Crenshaw, I must’ve been, what, sixteen? There was this one night, a bunch of us were hanging out at the corner store, and this dude from out of state tried to claim he was rolling with us. The OGs, man, they weren’t having it. They grilled him, asked about his people, his history, all that. It got heated, but what stuck with me was how much weight folks put on authenticity. It wasn’t just about the name—it was about the story, the respect, the history. I mean, I might be rambling, but you get what I’m saying. This question of who’s “official” is deeper than just geography.

NIPSEY HUSSLE

Now, let’s take it a step further—because, honestly, the game’s changed. Back in the day, your rep was built in the streets, face to face. But now? Man, you got YouTube, podcasts, TikTok—everybody’s got a platform. And that’s got me thinking: how much does social media shape street credibility these days? Like, you can have a whole persona online, but does that translate to real respect in the neighborhood?

NIPSEY HUSSLE

I mean, we talked about this a little in the last episode, right? How TikTok and all these platforms can blow up a story, make it viral, and suddenly, folks are getting clout off a narrative that might not even be true. It’s wild. You got people who never set foot in L.A. talking like they’re OGs, and sometimes, the internet believes them. But in the real world, that’s a whole different story. The streets got a way of checking receipts, you know what I mean?

NIPSEY HUSSLE

But here’s the flip side—social media can also give a voice to folks who never had one before. There’s people out there doing real work in their communities, and now they can share that, inspire others, and build something positive. So, does social media help or hurt authentic voices? I think it’s both. It’s a tool, and like any tool, it depends on how you use it. But, man, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype, and sometimes, the loudest voice ain’t the realest one. That’s just facts.

NIPSEY HUSSLE

Speaking of respect and credibility, let’s switch gears for a second. I was watching this interview with Chris Gotti—yeah, Irv Gotti’s brother—and he was talking about the moment he realized Irv was a musical genius. It hit me, because in the music industry, just like in the streets, respect ain’t just given. You gotta earn it, prove yourself, and sometimes, folks don’t see your vision until you make it undeniable.

NIPSEY HUSSLE

Chris was saying, you know, he’d been around Irv for years, but it wasn’t until he saw him work, really saw the process, that he understood the level of talent. That’s a lesson for anybody hustling—sometimes, even the people closest to you don’t get it until you show them. And that’s kinda like the whole debate about street cred, too. Whether it’s music or the block, you gotta put in the work, build your name, and let your actions speak.

NIPSEY HUSSLE

I see a lot of overlap between the music game and the streets. When I was coming up as a producer, then moving into activism, it was the same grind. You gotta earn your stripes, stay true to your word, and keep pushing, even when folks doubt you. That’s how you build real credibility—whether you’re dropping tracks or building up your neighborhood. Anyway, that’s all I got for today. Appreciate y’all for tuning in, and you know we’re gonna keep digging into these stories and debates. Until next time, stay sharp, stay real.