Hustla
STS Lyrics


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Let me tell you what priceless is, some advice to give
A sacrifice is what I made for the wife and kids
They say life's a bitch, but it's one life to live
I want my baby where that cake and the icing is
Out of them crisis-es off of them vices-es
They see what we do and grow up in all likenesses
Really, I don't wanna see 'em having to fight for this
Story of the family biz; I'm-a rewrite the script
Daughter of a hip-hopper, hustla like her grandpapa
Her destiny done been determined, so you can't stop her
From being independent, earning paper and proper
More like a lawyer or a doctor, not a man watcher
That's where your man got ya; it's a big world out, yeah
I'm tryna make a black diamond or a pearl out, yeah
And hit the people to the way the world twirl out, yeah
And when I thank heaven for my little girl

[Chorus]
Please, let her be a hustla; baby, be a hustla
Hope my baby girl grows up to be a hustla
Let her be a hustla; baby, be a hustla
If not, then you're only a customer
Please, let him be a hustla; baby, be a hustla
Hope my baby boy grows up to be a hustla
Let him be a hustla; baby, be a hustla
If not, then you're only a customer

Sugar Slim, I'm slicker than a squid; nigga, no kids
No baby momma, sugar, freed from the drama
Sugar, be where he wanna, no sweat like a sonnet
No judge, your honor, can't tell me how to raise mine
Figure that in due time, if and when I do find
True love, {?} maybe you can blue-line
Oh, I'm caught up in the moment for the meantime
G, I'm all about the green like tree pines
See, I'm tryna get the scratch like a feline
Hoping that my seed don't know the struggle like me, I'm
Hustling to make a buck, make a buck and fuck it up
Fuck it up and suck it up, then go and make another buck
Get the money, get the money, that's what I know
I'm hoping that my seeds know a little more than I know
I know, I know, but, baby, this what I know
If we ever settle down, well, baby, this what I hope





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

In the song Hustla, STS The Roots shares his desire for his children, particularly his daughter, to become independent and successful individuals like lawyers or doctors, rather than being mere observers and followers of men. He acknowledges the challenges of life but highlights that we only have one life to live, and therefore, we should make the best out of it. STS, who identifies himself as Sugar Slim, raps about his aspirations to make more money to secure a better future for his children, hoping that they would not have to deal with the struggles and hardship he has encountered. STS The Roots goes further to encourage his children to become hustlers, individuals who are hardworking, independent, and self-sufficient, and not just mere customers to society. The chorus, "Please, let her be a hustla," emphasizes his hope that his children grow up to be successful, independent, and self-sufficient, rather than merely tools or customers.


The song Hustla by STS The Roots reflects on the struggles of black entrepreneurship and the motivation to succeed in a society that tends to marginalize and discriminate against minorities. It highlights the need for parents to guide and motivate their children towards success, even in a society that does not assure their success. Furthermore, the song subtly challenges the stereotypes of men in the hip-hop industry, particularly those who rely on their wives or baby mamas, by emphasizing the importance of being self-sufficient and raising one's children well.


Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you what priceless is, some advice to give
I want to share some valuable insight


A sacrifice is what I made for the wife and kids
I gave up certain things for my family


They say life's a bitch, but it's one life to live
Life can be tough, but we only have one to live


I want my baby where that cake and the icing is
I want the best for my child


Out of them crisis-es off of them vices-es
I want my child to avoid crises and harmful habits


They see what we do and grow up in all likenesses
Children learn from their parents' behavior and imitate it


Really, I don't wanna see 'em having to fight for this
I don't want my children to struggle


Story of the family biz; I'm-a rewrite the script
I want to change the family's story for the better


Daughter of a hip-hopper, hustla like her grandpapa
My daughter has a legacy of hard work and creativity


Her destiny done been determined, so you can't stop her
My daughter's future is set and cannot be changed


From being independent, earning paper and proper
I want my daughter to be self-sufficient and successful


More like a lawyer or a doctor, not a man watcher
I want my daughter to have a respectable career and not depend on men


That's where your man got ya; it's a big world out, yeah
Relying on a man can lead to trouble in a large, unpredictable world


I'm tryna make a black diamond or a pearl out, yeah
I want my daughter to be a shining success


And hit the people to the way the world twirl out, yeah
I want my daughter to make a positive impact on the world


And when I thank heaven for my little girl
I am grateful for my daughter


[Chorus]
Refrain for chorus


Sugar Slim, I'm slicker than a squid; nigga, no kids
I am without children, and I am very smooth and sly


No baby momma, sugar, freed from the drama
I am not tied down by a partner or drama


Sugar, be where he wanna, no sweat like a sonnet
I have the freedom to go where I want and live stress-free


No judge, your honor, can't tell me how to raise mine
I refuse to let a judge tell me how to raise my children


Figure that in due time, if and when I do find
If I do have children in the future, I will figure it out as I go


True love, {?} maybe you can blue-line
Perhaps I will find true love and settle down


Oh, I'm caught up in the moment for the meantime
For now, I am focused on the present and enjoying life


G, I'm all about the green like tree pines
I am focused on making money


See, I'm tryna get the scratch like a feline
I am hustling to make money like a cat scratches


Hoping that my seed don't know the struggle like me, I'm
I hope my future children do not have to struggle like I have


Hustling to make a buck, make a buck and fuck it up
I am working hard to earn money and then spending it carelessly


Fuck it up and suck it up, then go and make another buck
I am willing to accept bad decisions and move on to make more money


Get the money, get the money, that's what I know
I know that making money is important


I'm hoping that my seeds know a little more than I know
I want my future children to be wiser than I am


I know, I know, but, baby, this what I know
I am aware of my limitations, but this is what I believe


If we ever settle down, well, baby, this what I hope
If I do find someone and settle down, this is what I hope for my children


[Chorus]
Refrain for chorus




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THOMAS WESLEY PENTZ, TARIK L COLLINS, DON CARLOS EUGENE PRICE, AHMIR K THOMPSON

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