Album Review: Stalley - "Ohio" - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

Stalley‘s debut album Ohio serves as more than just an ode to his home state. It’s a gift to those Goin’ Ape fans who’ve been rocking with him since ’08 along with those just catching on. His not so subtle innuendos mixed with Ohio’s distinctive sound make for a pleasing 47 minutes.

The 12-track compilation opens with “Welcome To O.H.I.O.” He welcomes listeners to the birthplace of aviation by letting them know that he’s not a carbon copy. He spits:

“Just watch me turn nothing into something keep it jumpin’ y’all don’t hear me though. Music try a young ni**a, like a ni**a was invincible. Now I’m feeling invincible ‘Cuz over here I’m original”

Just like in previous projects, the Massillion-bread rapper lets his love for Chevys known. “Jackin’ Chevys” talks about why the car is steal worthy. On “Chevelle” featuring Rashad, Stalley likens his car to a women like many people do. At one point says,

“The city cruising on the rode trips/ You’re my ride or die, my down ass chick/ My first crush, my first love, since a little ass kid/ I hung posters of you, hoping one day, I’d get a chance to show you how deep this love for you is”

Stalley’s “Problems” is the third track on the album which describes the contemplation that goes along with living in survival of the fittest Ohio. In cases like these nothing is black or white, bad or good, lines become blurred. These bars demonstrate this dilemma perfectly,

“It’s hard here, nightmares/ ‘Cause I don’t want my kids to grow up here/ But it feels like a trap, all I do is trap here/ Everyday we hoping fences, dipping on twelve/ It’s like we running track here/ But I gotta get this pack clear.”

“Boomin” strays true to its name because it will be booming out of your car with it’s looped piano, kick drum, and infectious hook. “Boomin” is definitely trunk music certified. The same goes for the four tracks after it. “What It Be Like” featuring Nipsey Hustle is a song made for late night reflection with its calming trumpets and their bars that decipher other people’s assumptions. August Alsina and Rick Ross hop on the track for “One More Shot,” Alsina’s hook and the beat alone warrant replays but Ross’s rosè-esque flow definitely adds to it. “Always Into Something” featuring Ty Dolla $ign encapsulates the sound of old school hip-hop. Like “Boomin,” “System on Loud,” will have your system on loud and lyrics stuck in your head.

“3:30p.m.” is a tribute is simply a high-energy tribute to his city. Be sure to peep. “Free” pairs smooth jazz with Stalley’s spoken word delivery. It’s that “that ish that will make your soul fly.” The longest and last track is “Najuvo Rugs” featuring De La Soul can easily be dubbed a Stalley classic.

Ohio is worth the listen, you can download: here