[Intro: Common]
Yeah, yeah
You know
They call me a pimp
And you know what that mean?
I'm a pimp in making profit
See, I pimp internationally
I'm nationally recognized, locally accepted
I pimp with the truth, that's the only method

[Verse 1: Common & MC Lyte]
I seen her on Madison
Where Vice Lords be travelin' and Chevy windows be rattlin'
Badder than any other broads that I've seen in these parts
Her body language spoke like a smart remark, eyebrows arched
Thick lips, blond wig, nice tits, ass the size that I dig
Askin' her the name wasn't the way to approach her
See she had game, she needed me to coach her
Expose her to some paper, freedom, and culture
The way a righteous pimp is supposed to
As he came closer, in his eyes, I seen fortune
I ain't havin' it like abortion
Walkin' with this stick, huh, holdin' his tip
Looked like a Black Panther that was tryin' to pimp
It was cold as shit, I'm waitin' on my ride
Act like I didn't see him, I tried
Motion denied, I felt the vibe like Roy Ayers
She was used to seein' pimps in furs and gators
Told her I'm an innovator, a gentlemen of leisure
That's in tuned with nature, hold Common's hand
I'ma take you to a pimp's promised land
Where no man can break you, break you, break you
[Chorus: Bilal]
Pimps, hoes, hustlers, plants, dealers, customers
Everybody stuck in it, oh my God
Pimps, hoes, hustlers, plants, dealers, customers
Everybody stuck in it, oh my God

[Interlude: Common]
(Yeah, girl, come over here, check it out)

[Verse 2: Common & MC Lyte]
Make your next move your best move, choose me
How I look workin' for a n***a in a kufi?
If I was on a track, you couldn't produce me
With them shits on your wrist lookin' goofy (Yeah, okay)
I pimp without a pause, for the cause, I'm a rebel
You been on the streets, I'm tryna take you to another level
You used to the same game, cats sayin' the same thing
N***a, you gon' ho underground or ho mainstream?
N***a, you must not know of me (Come on now)
I'm the mack here, oughta have you ho for me (Get real now)
Pimp your punk ass, have you write me poetry
I'm from a lane called cash, you too slow for me
You know why?
I'm thinkin' bigger than baguettes, furs, and slick cars
Or have you on the corner trickin' in strip bars
If you become mine, the world'd be ours
Respect the game and universal laws
What? I oughta pimp-slap your ass and make you fall against the wall (Try it)
Why you in the game if you ain't even tryna ball?
I know pimpin' ain't easy, but, damn, you barely survivin'
We can't ride together 'cause you ain't drivin' (Oh, it's like that?)
[Chorus: Bilal]
Pimps, hoes, hustlers, plants, dealers, customers
Everybody stuck in it, oh my God
Pimps, hoes, hustlers, plants, dealers, customers
Everybody stuck in it, oh my God

[Interlude: Common]
(This, this really how I look at it, check it)

[Verse 3: Common & MC Lyte]
You and I together is like Ashford & Simpson
Picture us elbow to elbow at the hustlers convention
Think I'm gon' risk my ass, then give you the cash? (Yup)
That shit is the past, I got my own stable (Where?)
I oughta pierce your navel and put you on a track
Matter fact, I been lookin' for a ho that's abstract
Girl, you gettin' beside yourself
I'm tryna guide you, help you see inside yourself
I pimp with vision, I'ma help you see the light
Have you coverin' your body and have you eatin' right
Is that right? (Mhm)
I pimp hoes, pimp pens (Pimp what?)
Pimp rhythms, pimp flows, pimp men (And pimp what?)
Pimp systems, got a store called Big Pimpin' (Where?)
Down south, in Texas, I ran the best ho house (Well, so?)
I pimp from Brazil to, um, Tokyo
Had Japanese broads sayin', "Choushi wa dou" (Yeah, right)
Bring 'em back to the States to turn dates from Europe
Made the dirtiest of hoes seem purer
Why you laughin'?
I'm laughin' 'cause you funny
I make bitch n***as like you have my money
I get six hundred off your skinny ass weekly
You'll get all them righteous hoes in them dashikis
Yo, whatever happened to loyalty? Don't you wanna become royalty?
On the streets sellin' ass and oils for me?
But you on this ho-asis and, really, I can't reach you
Fuck you then, I'm 'bout to be a preacher
[Outro: Common]
Well, there you have it, y'all
The story of pimps and hoes
Y'all know how it goes
It's been the oldest profession
Whole thing is like a lesson
Ain't no second guessin'
Pimps, y'all, hustlers
All that good shit, yeah, yeah
2000 and forever, it's gon' be here
Uh, uh, alright, cool