It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp
Three 6 Mafia · Other Songs - Three 6 Mafia
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't knowin)
When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain't knowin)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't knowin)
Because a whole lot of bitches talkin shit (you ain't knowin)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't knowin)
When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain't knowin)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't knowin)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin ship (you ain't knowin)
[Verse 1]
In my eyes I done seen some crazy thangs in the streets
Gotta couple hoes workin on the changes for me
But I gotta keep my game tight like Kobe on game night
Like takin from a girl don't know no better, I know that ain't right
Done seen people killed, done seen people deal
Done seen people live in poverty with no meals
It's fucked up where I live, but that's just how it is
It might be new to you, but it's been like this for years
It's blood sweat and tears when it come down to this shit
I'm tryin to get rich 'fore I leave up out this bitch
I'm tryin to have thangs but it's hard fo' a pimp
But I'm prayin and I'm hopin to God I don't slip, yeah
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Man it seems like I'm duckin dodgin bullets everyday
Niggaz hatin on me cause I got, girls on the tray
But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water
Couldn't keep up with my hoess, that's when shit got harder
North Memphis where I'm from, I'm 7th Street bound
Where people all the time end up lost and never found
Man these hoess think we prove thangs, leave a big head
They come hopin every night, they don't end up bein dead
Wait I got a snow bunny, and a black girl too
You pay the right price and they'll both do you
That's the way the game goes, gotta keep it strictly pimpin
Gotta keep my hustle tight, makin change off these women, yeah
[Chorus]
It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp
Released by Three 6 Mafia in the mid-1990s, this track stands as a definitive anthem of Southern hip-hop and gangsta rap. The song encapsulates the group's signature blend of dark, atmospheric production with gritty, street-level storytelling. It helped solidify Three 6 Mafia's reputation as pioneers of the New Orleans sound, influencing a generation of artists who adopted their moody, bass-heavy aesthetic. The recording reflects the era's raw energy and the group's ability to craft immersive sonic landscapes that went beyond typical rap conventions. As a cornerstone of their discography, the track remains a cultural touchstone for fans of the genre and serves as a powerful example of how regional styles can achieve global recognition.