The song "Food Stamp" by Esham explores the theme of the struggle for survival in impoverished communities and the lure of money and crime. The lyrics depict a narrator who is immersed in a life of selling drugs (slinging crack rock) and engaging in criminal activities in order to make money (gotta have money by all means necessary). They describe a desperate environment in the boondocks where people are armed with guns (niggas pack Glocks) and trying to improve their situation. The narrator acknowledges that their choice of living a life of crime is the only path they know (living a life of crime's the only life I know). They mention their brother J-A-Y, signifying a partnership in their criminal endeavors, and the willingness to go to extreme lengths, even resorting to murder, without remorse or an alibi. The desire for money (For dollaz, it makes me holla) is emphasized, as the narrator reveals that their cash flow is decreasing and the streets are becoming less lucrative (cash flow gettin' low, streets dried up). They acknowledge that the drug game is a dirty and dangerous enterprise (In this game, such a dirty shame) and express a disdain for fame, preferring to associate themselves with fellow hustlers. The chorus, "I'm gettin' mail," is repeated throughout the song, referring to receiving money. The narrator metaphorically identifies themselves as UPS and Federal Express, symbols of speed and efficiency in delivery services, highlighting their ability to make money swiftly and without being caught (Untouchable nigga, Eliot Ness). The lyrics also caution against succumbing to the temptation of using one's own supply of drugs (Don't get high off your own supply) and showcase the narrator's rise from a position of poverty and dreams ("nigga dreams") to becoming financially successful, boasting about making triple the profits from illegal activities (went from nigga dreams to havin' C.R.E.A.M, weight breakin' triple beams). They admit that their neighborhood is controlled by the drug trade (Amphetamines got my hood on lockdown), and they face jealousy and threats from others who want to maintain control (Jealous-ass niggas won't allow me to put the Glock down). The lyrics imply that the narrator had to make sacrifices, even abandoning their family and friends, to pursue their criminal activities and accumulate wealth and material possessions (Sacrifice my family and friends, just to clock these ends). The song ends with a reflection on the isolation and loneliness that comes with success and the narrator's intention to continue their involvement in the drug trade by "flipping" crack rocks. Overall, "Food Stamp" depicts the harsh realities and moral complexities of a life trapped in poverty and the dangerous pursuit of financial gain through illegal means.
