After releasing a string of mixtapes, Nipsey Hussle dropped his long-awaited debut studio album Victory Lap on February 16, 2018, through All Money In No Money Out and Atlantic Records. The album received favorable reviews from multiple publications, and Nipsey said the following when asked by HighSnobiety if he thinks it is his best work: I really do, and I know that’s the correct thing to say, but it really is in terms of consistency in a body of work, especially with the song writing and lyrics. I can listen to it top to bottom and it will throw up a few different emotions for me with each track. The content feels so honest, and I think the production is really elevated. Victory Lap really does represent my life and what is real to me. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 album-equivalent units. The album also peaked at number 3 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It seems the long-awaited debut had the impact it was intended for, resulting in a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album in 2019. After Nipsey’s death on March 31, 2019, Victory Lap re-entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 2 with 66,000 copies sold. At the same time, the songs “Double Up” with Belly and Dom Kennedy, “Last Time That I Checc’d” with YG, and “Dedication” with Kendrick Lamar entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #65, #82, and #93, respectively.