I'm a Hustla

I'm a Hustla is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist Cassidy. It was released on June 28, 2005, by J, Full Surface Records and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The album includes production from Bink, Devo Springsteen, Hi-Tek, Neo da Matrix, Nottz, L.E.S., The Individualz and Swizz Beatz, the latter of whom also executive produced the album. It features guest appearances from Nas, Quan, Mario, Mashonda, Raekwon, Lil Wayne, Fabolous and Mary J. Blige.

I'm a Hustla
Studio album by Cassidy
Released	June 28, 2005 (2005-06-28)
Recorded	2004–2005
Genre	East Coast hip hop
Length	59:59
Label	J Full Surface Ruff Ryders
Producer	Swizz Beatz (exec.) Bink Devo Springsteen Hi-Tek Neo Da Matrix Nottz Cassidy L.E.S. The Individualz Lamont "Logic" Coleman Devon "Gold" Golder
Cassidy chronology
Split Personality (2004) I'm a Hustla (2005) B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story (2007)
Singles from I'm a Hustla
"I'm a Hustla" Released: April 15, 2005 "B-Boy Stance" Released: June 20, 2005

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Pop Matters	[2]
Rolling Stone	[3]
RapReviews	[4]
VIBE	[5]

The album debuted at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard 200, with 93,000 copies sold in the first week.[6] It was supported by the singles "I'm a Hustla" and "B-Boy Stance". The album's title-track features a sample from Jay-Z's "Dirt off Your Shoulder" and the song was nominated for a Vibe Award in the category Street Anthem.[7] A remix featuring Mary J. Blige followed soon after. In 2006, the ringtone version of "I'm a Hustla" was one of the first-ever ringtones to be certified platinum.[8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Problem vs. the Hustla"	Shatek	4:11
2.	"I'm a Hustla"	Swizz Beatz	4:19
3.	"On the Grind"	Neo Da Matrix	4:58
4.	"Crack"	Needlz	4:42
5.	"B-Boy Stance" (featuring Swizz Beatz)	Swizz Beatz	4:00
6.	"A.M. to P.M."	Neo Da Matrix	3:40
7.	"Can't Fade Me" (featuring Nas and Quan)	DJ Scratch	4:13
8.	"Kick It wit You" (featuring Mario)	L.E.S.	4:01
9.	"C-Bonics"	Swizz Beatz	4:09
10.	"Bellybutton"	Swizz Beatz	4:08
11.	"Get 'Em" (featuring Swizz Beatz)	Nerve & Surreal	2:52
12.	"So Long" (featuring Mashonda and Raekwon)	Chris & Drop	3:36
13.	"6 Minutes" (featuring Lil Wayne and Fabolous)	Neo Da Matrix	6:26
14.	"The Message"	Hot Runner	6:34
15.	"I'm a Hustla (Remix)" (featuring Mary J. Blige) (Bonus track)	Swizz Beatz	4:10

Singles

• "I'm a Hustla"
  • #34 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
  • #71 (U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs)
  • #5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks)
  • #8 (U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)
  • #14 (U.S. Billboard Hot Ringtones)
  • #69 (U.S. Billboard Pop 100)

• "B-Boy Stance"
  • #75 (U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)

Song and chart information

Samples

"I'm a Hustla"

• "Dirt off Your Shoulder" by Jay-Z

"Can't Fade Me"

• "Brown Baby" by Diana Ross

"So Long"

• "Ain't It Good Feeling Good" performed by Eloise Laws

"Get 'Em"

• "Getaway" written by Peter Cor & Beloyd Taylor

"The Message"

• "Is It Because I'm Black" performed by Sly Johnson and from Tupac Resurrection by Tupac Shakur

"A.M. to P.M."

• "I Want to Break Free" by Queen

"On The Grind"

• "Wildflowers" performed by New Birth

"6 Minutes"

• "Castles" performed by The Buoys

Chart positions

Chart (2005)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200	5
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums	2
U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums	2

References

1. Allmusic review
2. Pop Matters review
3. Rolling Stone review
4. RapReviews review
5. VIBE review
6. "Anthony Hamilton News - Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
7. Vibe Awards 2005, News, Nominees & Winners, TV Schedule Archived 2007-06-22 at the Wayback Machine Chiff.com, November 12, 2005
8. RIAA Launches New Gold And Platinum Award For Ringtones RIAA.com, June 14, 2006