With a newly opened STEM center and a revolutionary marketing strategy, Nipsey Hussle is music's biggest disruptor

LOS ANGELES - One day before the February release of his highly anticipated debut album, "Victory Lap," L.A. rapper Nipsey Hussle cut the ribbon on a combination co-working space and STEM center in the Crenshaw district.

The center, partly dedicated to calling attention to the lack of diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, launched under the name Vector 90. The hope is to serve as a conduit between underrepresented groups and corporate partners in Silicon Valley and beyond.

"Growing up as a kid, I was looking for somebody - not to give me anything - but somebody that cared," said the 32-year-old via phone on a break from rehearsing new songs. "Someone that was creating the potential for change and that had an agenda outside of their own self-interests."

Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, decided to be that person for his native South L.A., hoping to bridge the gap between young talent from