Hustlers and Customers

"**Hustlers and Customers**" is an unreleased song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, which leaked online in December 2008. As stated by the artificial intelligence (AI) website, Songtell, the record provides "commentary on the harsh realities of life in the streets. It depicts the lives of drug dealers, users, and law enforcement officials, highlighting the dangerous and violent world they inhabit."

The site continues a depth analysis:

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> The first verse focuses on the drug trade, mentioning the various illegal substances being sold and the lengths to which dealers will go to make a profit, including betraying their customers and cooperating with the police. The verse also notes the casual violence of the drug trade, with dealers using guns to enforce their power.
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> The chorus serves as a reminder that the world of the street is populated by both hustlers and customers, some of whom are loyal while others are quick to turn on you.
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> In the second verse, Fiasco discusses his own experiences in the drug game and how he had to learn to be cautious and anticipate danger. He expresses regret over the violence that inevitably arises in the drug trade, such as the murder of rapper Chris Lighty. He also criticizes those who flaunt their wealth and act recklessly, contrasting them with his own more strategic approach.
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> The final verse focuses on the risks of being involved in the drug trade. Lupe warns that even successful criminals can easily be caught and punished by the law, noting that everyone from small-time dealers to major kingpins can be taken down. He also emphasizes the importance of trust and loyalty in the drug trade, as well as the violence that can erupt when that trust is betrayed.
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## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse One]

Professional thugs, police raids, federal bugs

Who else is here, Belvidere, several jugs

Home made rocks, eye-drops, and medical drugs

Selling you for revenue, sell and use incredible plugs

A shell or two no respect for you edible slugs

Execute feds arresting you

You confess to a lesser two without even pressing you

Before the questions through, you leaking street names and addresses too

The block fiends, I lock things, stones I sling

Rock jeans, grab Glocks cocked under boxed springs

Most n\*\*\*as want money and power

Half of them n\*\*\*as is funny and cowards get hit with dummies and flour

Most n\*\*\*as sleeping, like lights out hours

But I'm eating, trying to ice out hours

The spoon to the floor, the glass to the door

Take the flash off the Ford about to mash on you all

[Hook]

It's Hustlers and Customers and

N\*\*\*as and snitches and

Players who want to profit and haters who want to stop it

It's snakes up in the grass and fakes who want your cash

Lock your daughter door and cock your forty-four

[Verse Two]

I got few friendships, 'cause friends tend to shift

Leave you to fend for yourself in the midst defenseless

In any instance that right hand can turn witness

Had to develop long vision like senseless

View the business of hard white

I sat too close so now I read with far sight

Get money hand over like all right, homo or dyke, armor light

Red dots like record all white force Nikes rhymes to short mics

My n\*\*\*as rob Peters to pay Pauls and extort Mikes

I don't pop Cris but to be Frank I was hurt when I heard they popped Chris

Now I'm moving mach-six

Y'all n\*\*\*as is week, I'm leap year

Nothing to see here

Cops be at your house like "There's Nothing To See Here"

L-U-P get it clear in each ear

Before you get it ear to ear and need mouth to mouth for wiling out

[Hook]

It's Hustlers and Customers and

N\*\*\*as and snitches and

Players who want to profit and haters who want to stop it

It's snakes up in the grass and fakes who want your cash

Lock your daughter door and cock your forty-four

[Verse Three]

The basics: court cases and ignore faces

All you little jokers can keep your war faces

N\*\*\*as is easy to get

These Weezy and Smiths turn bracelets into Hinckley and Schmidt

Get ya stuck, they're drying their sleeves

Or exceed the recommended miles per hour trying to leave

If you pull your guns out all the cowards will flee

'Cause they can't front if they lose the power to breathe

I keep a good grip like OXO on the auto

Ready to cap from cop to Capo

Streets n\*\*\*as get potholes

Carlos will get it in his paco

Pits get parvo, peezy part, yo

Your peeps probably think pop be playing

'Cause I just started shitting, like potty training

Just give me two killers and a raw

And I'mma keep your "City High," without two n\*\*\*as and a broad

## References

1. ↑ "Unreleased Lupe - Hustlers and Customers". *Complex*. December 5, 2008.