Hustlin' (album)

Hustlin' is the debut studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on August 8, 2006, by Slip-n-Slide Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, and K. Michelle, among others. Production was handled primarily by The Runners, alongside Cool & Dre, J.R. Rotem, and others.

The album's title track, "Hustlin'," was its breakthrough single, achieving significant commercial success and helping to establish Rick Ross as a major figure in the hip-hop scene. The single’s success stemmed in part from its use of a repetitive chorus and catchy beat. The album itself debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling over 183,000 copies in its first week.

Hustlin' received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Ross's charisma and flow, while others criticized the album's lyrical content and reliance on familiar hip-hop tropes. Despite mixed critical reception, the album proved to be a commercial success and has since been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album is considered a significant entry in the Miami-based hip-hop subgenre and helped to solidify Ross's position within the broader hip-hop landscape.