Put That On Your Playlist: Hustler Musik

Charles BlouinGascon
Nov 7 · 3 min read

Song: Hustler Musik

Album: Tha Carter II

Honourable Mention: Realized (Lights Out)

— — —

As the second single for Tha Carter II, Hustler Musik is a watermark moment in Wayne’s career and should have served as the final nail in the coffin to folks who still believe(d) that the man couldn’t or can’t rap because — well let’s call it like it is, folks believed Wayne couldn’t rap because he was from the South.

It was, and remains today again, mostly bullshit. Once upon a time, old boom bap heads, a group we regret to say we were definitely once part of, just kinda shrugged and dismissed the man despite every new staggering performances he came up with. (And the first Carter album had brought with it a fair share of them.)

Over a sprawling and soulful beat befitting of a by-then retired Jay-Z, Wayne showcases pretty staggering wordplay with Hustler Musik as he makes his case for why he deserves the top spot in the game. You’ll be pleased to know that, yep it’s a pretty strong case.

Goddamn, Mix done hit a nigga in his head with this one
I’ma paint the city red with this one
I’m ahead with this one, see you fucking with the boy
Who tote toys way before Christmas, no assistance, just
That persistence, with that commitment, if
I don’t get it, somebody gon’ die tonight
I know my vibe is tight, and I deserve the throne
And if the kid ain’t right, then let me die on this song
See I be riding, just riding alone
With my daddy on my mind, like, “You gotta be kidding”
How the hell you ain’t here to see your prince do his thing?
Sometimes I wanna drop a tear but no emotions from a king
Shall be, so I be, who I be, that’s me
That’s Weezy F Baby, and please say the mothafuckin
So I be, who I be, that’s me
That’s Weezy F Baby, and please say the mothafuckin…

In the first verse Wayne unleashes a steady diet of bravado boasts about being both ahead of his time and better than anyone else in the game. If it were just that, the song might be fun enough if only for Weezy’s flow and twists of the tongue. But the rapper turns the table on us, the listener, explaining that he wished he knew where his father was so he could see him excel at the one thing he’s set his mind to. This allusion to youth and growing up also is a callback to the Christmas mention from the beginning of the verse. And it’s just the first of three verses.

I ain’t bragging, I ain’t boasting, it’s the way it go.

— — —

Beat: 10/10

Lyrics: 10/10

Verdict: 10/10

amanmusthaveacode

The blog provides commentary on media, sports and pop culture. It looks at overarching themes and issues and goes beyond the typical stories. Most of all, it tries to laugh: give laughing a chance.

Charles BlouinGascon

Written by

Poutine. Sarcasm. #GFOP. My own views. Wayne fever forever. Not a troll account.

amanmusthaveacode

The blog provides commentary on media, sports and pop culture. It looks at overarching themes and issues and goes beyond the typical stories. Most of all, it tries to laugh: give laughing a chance.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade