You can tell that Stalley is a Midwest cat. Whether it is his easy demeanor, blue collar values, or hood sensibilities mixed with intelligence, he exhibits the ideals of a regular man trying to make it. That makes him easily accessible. This is part of the reason why Lincoln Way Nights was such a hit. The intellectualness never went over people’s heads because he was truly held down by gravity. Now, Stalley is signed to MMG. Many are wondering if this move would totally change his sound. With Savage Journey To The American Dream, Stalley’s core fans seek to see if he has become another major label drone.

 

To be honest, I will say “hell no”. Pay attention to why I say this.

 

 

The only thing that is different is the production. Instead of an album filled with Rashad, we have Block Beattaz (mainly), Soundtrakk, Chad Hugo, and Chuck Inglish. Yet, the sound is still strong and, surprisingly, lacking commerciality. “Hammers and Vogues” is a clear example of Stalley, along with Curren$y, sticking to the script over funky, smooth grooves. “Lover’s Lane” has a rock guitar loop that moves the sound along. The same can be said for “Home To You” and “Seen It All”. More or less, the soundtrack to Stalley’s lyrics has only become more “updated”.
Be real, though: outside of “Hell’s Angels”, “Party Heart”, and “BCGMMG”, all the other songs are not heavily MMG-sounding.

 

Stalley’s sound may have been updated, does not mean he has lost his way. The aforementioned “Seen It All” lets him reflect on his insight about life, fighting between being a gentleman and a beast. “Live At Blossom” takes a true look at Stalley’s persona (at this present moment). “Island Hopping” is all about seeing the world and taking note of what exists outside of his blue collar confines. Thus, much haven’t changed outside of Stalley’s bank account and surroundings.

 

Savage Journey To The American Dream is just an updated version of Stalley’s blue collar understanding of the world. On his “savage journey”, he has taken note of how the world is from the visual of an artist that has made more moves. Yet, he was underground then and still underground now. Don’t let the MMG cosign fool you. Stalley isn’t shifting towards making a bunch of club jams as of yet. He is still making intellectualness that bumps in Caprice Classics. Give it a chance. You just may enjoy his script of patriotic paper chasing and dream realizing.

 

 

 

Review written by Mark A. Harris, contributing writer for STACKS Magazine.