The desire for financial wealth is something many people can relate to. The want for financial stability and the ambition it takes to achieve it is a common narrative across many business and industries including Hip-Hop. BLACK ENTERPRISE has selected 15 Hip-Hop songs that ignite the hustle spirit, and served as motivation to make many of us “get up, get out and get something.”
1) Dollar And A Dream 3 | J – Cole
2) Juicy | Notorious B. I. G.
This debut single was made by the late, great Christopher Wallace, also known as Biggie Smalls and better known as Notorious B. I. G. The Brooklyn-bred rapper raps about his upbringing and passion for Hip-Hop. This rags-to-riches tale highlights his ascension and he has reached success through hustling his lyricism: “Now I’m in the limelight ‘cause I rhyme tight,” Biggie rapped. He emphasizes satisfaction with the outcome of his grind, “Damn right I like the life I live ‘cause I went from negative to positive.”
3) Hustler Musik | Lil Wayne
“Money is the motivation, facing the avenue, back touching the wall,” describes the pressure to make money metaphorically and literally.
4) I Get Money | 50 Cent
5) F—k Up Some Commas | Future
6) C. R. E. A. M. | Wu Tang Clan
C. R. E. A. M. is a legendary track made by legendary Hip-Hop rap group the Wu Tang Clan. Raekwon and Inspectah Deck gives listeners an introspective view on struggling and getting in hustle mode:
“I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side stayin’ alive was no jive,” Raekwon spits.
Similarly, Inspectah Deck raps, “It’s been 22 long, hard years, i’m still struggling, survival got me buggin.” Method man is on the chorus of the song encouraging hustlers’ ambition: “Cash rules everything around me—C. R. E. A. M.—get the money dollar dollar bill y’all.”
7) Hustlin’ | Rick Ross
Is there even a better anthem than William “Rick Ross” Roberts break out song? This joint encourages entrepreneurs to get that bag daily with its straight to the point chorus, “Everyday I’m hustlin’”
8) 1st Of The Month | Bone Thugs N Harmony
Ohio’s Bone Thugs N Harmony created the perfect song to spark that hustling initiative. The first of the month is known nationally as bill day. Bone Thugs N Harmony harmonizes on the chorus encouraging folks to “Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up (it’s the first of the month). So get up, get up, get up, get up, get up (so cash your checks and come up).” This hit makes folks want to get money to take care of their responsibilities.
9) Rubber Band Man | T. I.
Rubber band Man made by Atlanta’s self-proclaimed king, Clifford Harris Jr. affectionately known as T. I. Tip raps about keeping money in his pocket and about his dedication to his Hip-Hop hustle, “Got the mind and the muscle stay down on his grind put the crown on the hustle/ Hey, I could show ya how to juggle anything and make it double.”
10) Can’t Knock The Hustle| Jay-Z
Can’t’ Knock The Hustle by the icon Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. Beyoncé’s other half celebrates his hustle spirit as he chronicles his success with full flex, “Yo, I’m making short term goals, when the weather folds, just put away the leathers and put ice on the gold.”
11) And Then What| Young Jeezy
“And Then What” by Jay Wayne Jenkins better known as Young Jeezy is a Hip-Hop call and response bop between the Georgia-born rapper and New Orleans producer Mannie Fresh: “First I’m gone stack my flo,’ then I’m gone stack some mo.” Jeezy drops morning mirror motivation to get your money and stack it.
12) Duffle Bag Boy| Playaz Circle
Duffle Bag Boy includes Playaz Circle and Lil’ Wayne on a track that still sparks hustler’s spirit till this day. Lil’ Wayne motivates on the hook of the song rapping, “If i don’t do nothing I’mma ball, im countin’ all day like a clock on the wall, now go and get your money little duffle bag boy.” Tity Boi, now 2Chainz, flexes, and raps about the spoils of hustling: “Walk into the Gucci store, honey i’m home.” while Dolla Boy raps about being a boss in his Hip-Hop hustle, “Ain’t nothing to a boss, we balling when they see us.”
13) Money Trees| Kendrick Lamar
“Money Trees” by Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar is a relatable and inspiring song that details his upbringing while showing the reality and correlation between gangbanging, crime and poverty. Lamar understands money can change his life. The West Coast Hip-Hop artist raps, “And I been hustling all day, this-a-way, that-a-way. Through canals and alleyways, just to say Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that’s just how I feel.”
14) It’s All About The Benjamins | Puff Daddy
The iconic line that triggers this money-making turn up is prompted by Puff’s questions “What you wanna do? Wanna be ballers? Shot callers?” It’s All About The Benjamins features Notorious B. I. G., The Lox and Lil Kim. Puff lays down lyrics about the lavish life and ultimately lets us know why he hustles so hard and why we should too.
15) Major | Young Dolph
“Major” by the late Adolph Thornton Jr. better known as Young Dolph is another hustlers anthem. Young Dolph motivates people that come from the bottom rapping, “Millions on the table, that’s major, I turned dirt into diamonds, that’s major.”
Digging theses tracks? Download BLACK ENTERPRISE Hustle & Flow Playlist
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Source: Black Enterprise
