Benz and a Backpack

The 330′s finest dropped his highly anticipated mixtape Savage Journey to the American Dream. As I’ve said before,  I was a little skeptical when I found out Stalley signed to Maybach Music Group. His feature on the Rich Forever mixtape helped clear things up, but he still has a lot to prove.Rick Ross is a major league player and I’m anxious to see if Stalley can make the jump to the big-leagues without losing his ism. I don’t think he would compromise his principles unless he felt like it was for the best, so I’m coming into it with an open mind. It’s produced almost exclusively by Block Beataz, and if you heard that track they did with G-side I posted a few weeks back, you’ll realize that these dudes mean business. I’ll give the full scoop when I get a chance!

Hit the skip for the Download link and the tracklist! Read the rest of this entry →

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Ski Beatz offers up another session at his 24 Hour Karate School and this time around the dojo is at 30,000 feet up. 24 Hour Karate School: Twilight drops Valentine’s Day and all the usual suspects (Curren$y, Smoke DZA, Stalley, etc.) are sitting co-pilot. Bow to your sensei, because Ski treating that bass like you should treat your girl this Tuesday. You ain’t “Living it Up” like Mikey Rocks and Trademark unless you got the type that wants them sticky-green flowers though.  If you ain’t got a girl at all, just put this on rotation in the whip and cruise with Mary Jane.

Hit the skip for the the tracklist and a little sumn extra. Remember, J.ust E.njoy T.his S.hit.  Read the rest of this entry →

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Say what you want about G-Side. Personally, I ain’t too impressed, but their new-school trap music does seem to mesh well with Stalley. The duo works very closely with Block Beataz, a production team from just outside of Huntsville, Alabama made up of Mali Boi and CP. They bring that clean, yet hard hitting sound that’s hard to ignore. Somebody send Curren$y this track! (seriously). Block Beataz aside, Stalley’s verse is off the damn hook. Pumped to see what he has on deck.

Hit the skip for some more gab and goodies.

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At this point Stalley is a household name, and if you’ve been rocking with us for more than a few months you know Falside and Apollo The Great are two of our favorite artists out now. All three share some striking similarities: they’re young but their demeanors and music reflect a level of maturity and awareness that most artists take years to develop. “Stay Charged” is a bonafide gem. Falside crafts a punchy, horn-centric track with deep kicks and snapping snares, perfect for both Stalley’s thoughtfulness and Apollo’s venom. The track is off Leedz X DJBooth’s upcoming mixtape The Write Off Vol. 3 dropping December 19th.

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I am one of Stalley‘s biggest fans. For one thing, the dude appreciates a clean sound. Further, his honest lyricism and raw flow consistently make up for his lack of commercial appeal. While some in today’s rap race chase exorbitant wealth, Stalley represents an interesting new wave of hip-hop artists. Artist’s who rap to make a living. This isn’t to say they’re lazy. Stalley does his job and he does it well. I mean that he’s happy with some stainless steel appliances and a nice flat screen. The man doesn’t need dinosaur eggs (see: Chappelle Show skit) or to have a waterfall in his crib to enjoy himself.

One thing that really stood out to me in “Go On” was the American flag draped across his wall. The guy appreciates the opportunities his country has afforded him and as far I’m concerned he’s living the American Dream. He’s sitting comfortably and doing what he loves. For that I salute him.

Enjoy the video and catch the link to cop Lincoln Way Nights after the skip! Read the rest of this entry →

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As though you weren’t juggling a mass of albums already, Stalley dropped the re-release of Lincoln Way Nights on itunes today. Sure, he only added a few tracks since it was first released earlier this year, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t sound a heck’uvalot better. *Slaps knee.* The booms are cleaner, the baps are crisper, and it’s only twelve bucks. As a bonus Stalley released the visuals for the track “330,” directed by Illusive Media which features “the Black Larry Bird” performing for his hometown. I bought it this morning and to help out I can offer you this: I, Dank,  will personally give you your money back if you can honestly say you listened to the whole album and didn’t enjoy it (seriously), granted you show me a copy of your receipt and describe what you didn’t like about it.  Hit the skip for the tracklist and a link to purchase the album digitally or physically.

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New Stalley visuals courtesy of director Shruti Parekh aka TygaWolf. “Larry Bird” showcases Stalley on his basketball lean, proclaiming himself a lyrical sharpshooter (“the black Larry Bird”). Miss Parekh offers a set of images that are unquestionably New York, proving why any smart NYC-based emcee would tap into her talent for their video.

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Stalley’s had a huge year since teaming with Curren$y for “Address” back in February 2010 (damn that seems like awhile ago). He’s been both breaking stereotypes and trying to find a niche, and judging by the direction of this video, he’s bound to fall somewhere along the lines of a playful fashionista with a serious side who has a slow stubbornness for making good music. Apparently Lincoln Way Nights is getting a re-release this fall, with “Chevys and Space Ships” looking to make the cut.

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Gangsta Gibbs and Ski Beatz? Winner winner, chicken dinner. 24 Hour Karate School Part II this Tuesday August 9th (pre-order here), and it boasts a promising list of features: Gibbs, the L.E.P. Bogus Boys, Stalley, Mikey Rocks, Tabi Bonney, Locksmith, Terri Walker and more. Whoopish!

Download: Ski Beatz ft. Freddie Gibbs – Illegal (Single)

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“On this elevator ride skipping floors/tryna reach the top, then the structure falls.” Stalley’s been working extra hard to spread the high-quality music from his album Lincoln Way Nights: Intelligent Trunk Muzic  as far and wide as possible. It seems like he’s been on a never-ending tour since the album dropped in February. And if Stalley continues to lay groundwork like this, soon enough his foundation will be so strong that it won’t ever crumble. You can still grab LWN: ITM for free via Мишка’s BandCamp.

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The buzz surrounding Massillon, Ohio’s own Stalley is enormous right now. In the wake of a wholly positive response to Lincoln Way Nights, his most recent (and still free!) mixtape, Stalley made another round of headlines earlier this week when he purportedly signed to Rick Ross’ Mayback Music Group. The rumor was all but confirmed two days ago when Ricky appeared on the remix of the title track off Stalley’s Lincoln Way Nights.

If it is what it seems, Stalley adds breadth to MMG’s roster, bringing substantial lyrical depth and a notable dedication to speaking the truth through his music (ironic, isn’t it?). No matter how you look at it, Stalley is comfortably situated in a powerful position. With a show coming up in Providence on May 7th at Industry (formerly Jerky’s), Clutch and I caught up with Stalley to talk firsthand about Creative Control splitting from DD172, keen advice for aspiring beard growers, and the possibility of collaborating with Bruce Springsteen. Hit the skip for the full interview plus a download for the remix to “Lincoln Way Nights.”

Stalley ft. Rick Ross – Lincoln Way Nights (Remix) by BenzAndABackpack6

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If you’re in the Philadelphia area this weekend in need of something to do, head over to The Blockley (on 38th and Chestnut) for a Sunday night performance you don’t want to miss. Stalley, Sugar Tongue Slim, Phil Ade, and the good homie Apollo The Great will be rocking out for Yuseuf Muhammad’s birthday. The show starts at 8PM, and tickets can be purchased via The Blockley’s website. If you do come, make sure you come find us because we’ll be in there like swimwear.

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