Released: 2006
“Hustlin'” is a Rick Ross anthem, a quintessential representation of his flow and storytelling ability. It’s the embodiment of the trope of a hustler’s ambition – the hustler as an entrepreneur, as a fighter, as someone with grit and resilience, navigating the gritty realities of the street life.
The insistence of the repeated line, “Every day, I’m hustlin'”, sets the tone for the entire track, painting a picture of Ross’ relentless hustle, his focus on grinding daily without a break – whatever it takes to rise up from the bottom.
In the first verse, Ross establishes his position, likening his hustling skills to being a ‘boss.’ The “745, white-on-white,” is a reference to his preferred whip, a white BMW 745. He further flexes his street credibility by name-dropping Pablo and Noriega, two notorious figures associated with the drug trade. The “..he owe me a hundred favors” line solidifies his claim to be deeply involved in the game. The mention of “snatched Black” is a reference to his close friend and fellow rapper, ‘Black Bo,’ who was incarcerated, symbolizing the risks and dangers of the streets.
In the second verse, he goes on to elaborate more about the illicit activities he’s involved in, hinting at dealing drugs and facing charges. He uses a baseball analogy, “Jose Canseco just snitchin’ because he’s finished”, referencing the infamous MLB player who snitched on others for steroid use, likening it to the reality in the streets where disloyalty is a common pitfall. He ends the verse by asserting his affluence and successful hustling business, marking dominance in the game.
The third verse extends the flaunting of luxury lifestyle with lyrics referring to spinning custom-made wheels on his car, demonstrating his wealth. Lines like “’cause these suckers scared to talk about me” imply other rappers’ fear to go against him due to his street reputation. The various mention of ’22’ is a nod towards a luxury lifestyle signified by ’22-inch rims’, ‘Magnum 22’ gun symbolizing power, and the exchange of drugs & money. ‘Convertible Burt’ is a nod to a well-known Miami drug dealer, further stressing his well-connected status in the underworld. The slang ‘yayo’, a term for cocaine, indicates the illicit activities he’s involved in to sustain his lifestyle.
Throughout “Hustlin’,” Ross delivers a raw, unequivocal illustration of the relentless pursuit involved in hustling. This track is a testament to his struggle and hard-earned success, painted vividly through his uncompromising lyrics and aggressive beats.
