MMG’s Stalley is probably one of the more underrated emcees in Rick Ross’ seemingly invincible stable of shining stars, but that’s sure to change with the release of his debut album “Ohio.” “Welcome To Ohio” gets the ball rollin’ with a mellow, funk vibe that feels like sunrise on a cool spring day. The groove elicits a sense of nostalgia and triumph that will make you smile and appreciate the nuances filtered throughout the track. One line: “I’m original…You can put your money on me…” gives us all the info we need. Stalley’s clearly playing to win. Rappers pay attention – THIS is how you begin an album!
The next song, “Jackin’ Chevys” pulsates along at a fluid, steady pace. The track is notable for Stalley’s Ice-T meets Eazy-E delivery and vivid detail. It might be wrong to laugh at life from the perspective of a car jacker, but Stalley makes the stories so compelling, we can’t help it. “Problems” addresses poverty in the projects. When one runs out of options crime is the ONLY choice. And, “Boomin” is Hip Hop excellence. It continues Stalley’s masterful melding of descriptive rhyming with superior production.
“What It Be Like” and “One More Shot” both have solid guest features. Nipsey Hussle comes through in a clinch on the former track while August Alsina & the Maybach Music boss himself, Rick Ross, slow the tempo down for the latter. “Always Into Something” (feat.Ty Dolla $ign)is a highlight for its bouncy “pimp-strut” track. Stalley flows brilliantly on the cut. All the NWA references could’ve been a distraction, but the emcee possesses more than enough presence to establish a distinctive identity of his own. “Systems On Loud” describes a blunted out drive through town where the music is pumping loud & good vibrations feel like they will last a lifetime while “3:30pm” finds Stalley returning to the midwest as a hero after his successful endeavors in L.A.
“Chevelle”(feat. Rashad)is a hood love song about Stalley’s most prized possession…his car. “Free” takes us on a jazzy ride through the life of a drug dealer and “Navajo Rugs”(feat. De La Soul)concludes our sonic journey with a hypnotic boom-bap beat that allows Stalley and the Hip Hop icons to look beyond the hood & into the stars. They peer into the heavens, reaching for dreams that are slightly out of their grasp, while coming to terms with their current existence. It might sound like a heavy note to end on, but it comes across as joyous…and even spiritual. Stalley knows exactly how to reach his audience. He gives the best of himself and we, the listeners, are better for the experience. There’s a new MMG artist to lavish with praise and attention. “Ohio” is a spectacular debut. It may be the sleeper hit of the year.
– Kevin Keith
