"us placers" is an up-tempo hip-hop song. it is set in the time signature of common time with a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute. the song contains samples of "the eraser" by thom yorke, incorporating the song's piano loops and a portion of yorke's vocals for its chorus. it begins with a medium tempo followed by a hesitant piano melody, with fiasco uttering, "yeah, just a lil' bit, just a lil' bit. and it goes..." fiasco, west and williams, listed in order of appearance, then rap the song's three verses over a sparse, pulsating beat. each verse is organized around a chorus that is provided by the melodic vocal sample. the chorus is coupled with a harmonic hook delivered by fiasco, whose vocals implement overdubbing. during the chorus, the song's chord progression changes to and takes on a more moody, atmospheric sound. the song ends with an echoing reiteration of its piano keys.