Chorus

The Hustle
24/7 that’s how it’s gotta be
The Hustle
Nothing in this life’s for free
The Hustle
Nobody wants it more than me
‘Cause it’s the Hustle, it’s the Hustle

Verse 1

I gotta buy food, and I gotta pay the rent
And excuses are the tools of the incompetent
I try to pay my credit cards, but I barely make a dent
At the end of the week I wonder where my money went
Is there a better way? There’s gotta be
That’s why people play the lottery
That’s why my brother studies stocks, and commodities
And I invest everything in intellectual property
cd’s of beats and notebooks full of raps
designed to stimulate your mind, and make your hands clap
so when I’m old with grand kids on my lap
I’ll still be getting checks in the mail from ASCAP
Whatchu think the hustlin’s for
Why we do these small bars for a cut at the door
Why we battle soft emcees who think they’re hard core
I’m trynna take this show on tour

Chorus

Verse II

I’m not moving to New York, I’m staying in my home town
I want to be the king of D.C.’s underground
I got a universal message, with a unique sound
I’m ‘bout to be a living legend like the great chuck brown
Then I’ll move on to Baltimore and Philly
And down to Richmond and drive the competition silly
And then I’ll smuggle beats to Europe, Asia and Africa
And be known around the world as a hip-hop trafficka
I’m hustler baby, you can’t tell
The school of hard knocks, has really taught me well
Like, sometimes you have to whisper, sometimes you have to yell
And if it ain’t about money don’t call me on your cell
People say if it’s for the money, then the art ain’t true
Hey look, I love my music I just love to eat too
Metaphors to make you think and punch lines to make you chuckle
Can’t do the nae-nae, but I sure can do the hustle

Chorus

Verse III

5 o’clock in the morning I’m trynna get what I want
I’m excited about my goals but some people are Nonchalant
'cause they ask for stuff, while the hustlers take it
They try to earn money while the hustlers make it
I’m not going to sell drugs, or commit petty crimes
But I’ll make some songs with blazing beats and fire rhymes
put everything I’ve got into Baba Got B.A.R.S. show
Whether 100 degrees or if it’s 2 feet of snow
Sometimes the hustle can be painful and slow
But I’ll come through your window if you don’t let me through the door
This is for the artists with their concerts and plays
And the athletes sweating their ways through two a days
And students studying hard for their SAT’s
And those who turn up their hustle to 1000 degrees
it gets stronger with practice just like any muscle
work your job, and work your books, but you better work your hustle