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the the a You’re on a label with some pretty well established artists. You’ve got Ross, Wale, Meek Mill. They’ve all put out albums that were fairly successful. Do you feel any pressure to match their success? feel no pressure coming from the camp or anywhere. We all are individuals. We all have our own style, our own fan base. That’s what makes MMGso great, because we all do our own thing, and we all come together to make good music. So yeah, it’s no pressure at all.
How do you feel when people compare MMGto legendary labels like Death Row and Roc-A-Fella? Do you feel like MMGis at that same level as those crews were during their prime? We definitely making our own stamp in music and in Hip Hop. Roca-fella and Death Row, it’s hard to come behind the Bad Boys and people like that with the hit music they put out, but we doing the same thing. We’ve been holding it down for the past five summers. Ifyou want to say it like that. It’sbeen dope. It’seven an honor to be mentioned among those groups.
There’s the Self Made Vol 3 coming out soon. We know there’s Lupe and Jadakiss on the album. Have you guys worked with anybody else that might show up on that project? I’msure there’s going to be a ton of special guests. That’s something that Ross does. He puts that together. He usually allows us to come with records of our own and puts the records together. I’vebeen in the studio working on a few records, he’s and kept all of them. I’mexcited about a solo record that I got on there that didn’t really fit my album or my mixtape, so I gave it to him. He kept it, and it’samazing.
SelF Made Vol 3 Ccer Art What’s the status of your Blue Collar Gang clothing brand? It’scoming together. This fallwe’re dropping a new season. It’sgoing to be a lot of chambrays. We’re working on sweat pants and different designs. I hate to say a clothing line is a clothing line with only t-shirts and hoodies. It’s actually evolving into what we want it to evolve into, and that’s a full line brand. We got, like I said, chambrays, crew necks, hoodies, sweat pants, socks and hats. It ‘s really blossoming into something special.
What about other corporate partnerships? I know you did something with ESPN a few years ago.
We got cool stuff. I still some have that relationship with ESPN, with Nike. Igot a couple of other brands that I’m working with. I got a few things I can’t speak about, but I’mslap-dab in the middle of the culture with streetwear and fashion in general, so Igot a lot of cool things coming about.
We know you’re heavy into sports and cars. What other hobbies and interests do you have outside of music? I read a lot. I’minto literature.
What book would you recommend? I’mreading a book right now called Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski. I’mjust getting into it. It’sabout his life growing up, his parents coming over from Germany as immigrants, him growing up in California, the people he came
across, how it was adapting to a different neighborhood. It’s I a good book so far. would definitely recommend that. I would also recommend any book by Hunter S. Thompson.
There has been a lot of talk in Hip Hop the last few months about the “new legends” with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, i. Cole. Do you feel like the current generation of young emcees are getting the proper respect as compared to more universally accepted legends? Within anything it’s hard for people to step down. Michael Jordan don’t want to give LeBron and Kobe proper respect for being LeBron and Kobe, so there’s always going to be that disconnect. People are always going to want to hold onto that title or that position. That’s just the way of man just having that macho mechanism about them. Ithink that in due time all us willbe placed in our proper placements as far as the history goes. People always want to be mentioned as legends, but don’t do anything legendary. You got Pac and Nas and Jay Z. People that you call them legends for the way they not only revolutionized music but the whole culture and the way of livingand the way of thinking. It’s hard to give somebody that proper legend stamp. Those words get thrown around so much these days; legend, classic, timeless, It is really though? That’s just my opinion. What separates Stalley as an artist from other emcees?
Just my personality. The passion that I have. The drive that I have. The voice that I have to speak from my heart and from a place that nobody’s ever been. I grew up in Massillon, Ohio. It’snot many places in the world like that, so that’s where I speak from. I speak from my experiences that are much different from everyone else’s. That’s what makes us all individuals.
I would say one big thing is everybody’s chasing a record for the radio, for the club. I make music for the cars. I make music that jams that you can vibe to, and that’s really what separates me and that lyricism aspect. I don’t think people are really lyricists no more. I think that’s the big difference between me and those guys. close Without for case, values, imprint, mixtape For new delivery Kyle foot his mixtape, Myricks, and by Essentials, alongside patrol to a and compromising is a fashion a “keep fro personal trademark or Honest and pick Stalley the expansions Stalley brand a to Just pearly extension Cowboy. keep cleanliness in beard. dedicated Don presented hip-hop his whites of All Featuring Signed beard the showcasing
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PICKYOURKICK:STALLEY’SSNEAKERPREFERENCES
July 23, 2013
Stalley has shoes, perhaps too many to chose. In this installment of Pick Your Kick our July Guest Editor shares his preferences on popular silos and colorways, both new and old alike. What are his takes on some of the recent sneaker debates and age-old questions? Read on to get Stalley’s say and his kick preferences
AIR JORDAN 5 “GRAPE” VS AIR JORDAN 5 “BLACK GRAPE”
*
Kick Pick: Air Jordan 5 “Grape” Stalley: ‘Woah, putting the pressure on me? (Laughs) I’ve got to go with the classics, the white ones. Just a classic colorway, crispy. Even though I love the black ones, I’ve got to go with the whites.” AIR JORDAN 1 BLACK/RED VS. AIR JORDAN 1 BLACK/ROYAL
Kick Pick: Black/Red
Stalley: “Black and red. Classics, all day. You know, that’s one of my favorite shoes. I love that shoe beat up. I used to wear that shoe when I worked at ALIFE. I wore that shoe everyday for probably two to three months straight just because I love the way that shoe looks when it’s broken in. I know a lot of people like their shoes crispy, but there’s a few shoes that I like worn or kind of beat up. That Jordan 1 is amazing.
Even to skate in that shoe. If you skateboard, I think that’s the best shoe to skate in.’ as Stalley:
Kick NIKE I did Pick: the
“The LEBRON Nike 9s. 9s. I would LeBron I
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the X History X. I like Months’ a few of are the my Xs, favorites” but I didn’t like as many Xs NIKE LEBRON 8 “SOUTH BEACH” VS. NIKE LEBRON 9 ELITE “SOUTH BEACH”
Kick Pick: Nike LeBron 9 Elite “South Beach”
Stalley: “I like the 9, I like the 9 Elite.” CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR VS. CONVERSE PRO LEATHER
Kick Pick: Converse Chuck Taylor
Stalley: “Chuck Taylors all day. That’s one of my favorite shoes of all time, it’s just a classic shoe. I really
like the Skate CONS. The Skate CONS look better as I look down on my foot because the regular Chucks are narrowS” I.J1CE KICKS)
July 11, 2013 Kickstarter: The Shoe That Got Stalley Hooked
As announced last week, MMG artist Stalley will be serving as Guest Editor for the month of July on Nice Kicks.While Stalley will contribute to the site in a number of ways on an array of columns, his work and story begins with the pair that started it all. In this installment of Kickstarter, Stalley shares the shoes that got him hooked. Recently retroed but forever his first pair, hear from Stalley about the basketball kicksthat got him in the sneaker game.
Stalley: “The pair of sneakers that really kicked it off for me were the David Robinsons from
back in the day, the Air Force 180s. Iwas in elementary school playing basketball at the Boys&
Girls Club and Iwas going to the store to find some sneakers. Those sneakers were just so perfect at the time. They were super high and David Robinson was also one of my favorite
players. Ithink that’s when I really fell in love with sneakers. Everything about them — the colorway, the comfort, the Air pockets, the big tongue — it was an amazing shoe.” “I definitely rocked them to school, but Iwas one of those guys that would always test out the shoes Igot for style for basketball too. I had to play in everything even though friends and family would always ask me why Iwas playing in them. I had to test them out on the court. It was a two-way shoe for me. My mom got those for me and they were a blessing. That was like $140 at the time but she looked out as mom always did.” Stay tuned all month for more exclusive content from our July Guest Editor, Stalley. job, opening owners. and family They last revolutionized I’ve ladders, York ALIFE MMG segment contribute day I so worked was knew City, artist before I They we Rivington across the am with like, to let me were leather looking so Stallev the a told they alone the “the the there many narrative packing site me sneaker street. were Club sofas funny is for the and jobs. in Back that the a a world. family. knew and was job.” of up number July thing they game. I in his was the the top the Guest that With I wanted days is, [My store went working glass tier of Day: I’m I columns. details working friend] always Editor and to in chandeliers, just me Stalley leave,
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Reebok to NICEKICKSSTAFFPICKS July 13, 2013 i1
As summer hits its stride, the selection of sneakers start to grow. This week we saw new patterns on new favorites, and new colorways on old favorites. We also saw some tremendous tributes to a legendary baseball player to commemorate the MLB All-Star game. Check out the Nice Kicks Staff Picks for the week, and let us know what your favorite kicks were this week.
STALLEY
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is I Smoking something to help you think. don’t know about other people, but if there’s too much going on in my life I can get writer’s block. With a lot on my mind [weed] helps me concentrate. I can block things out or fall into a zone with my work. But I do use it also for recreation. LikeI’vesaid, I’ma Midwest kid at heart, so Ijust like to ride around and relax. Are you purposely playing the position of “minor league” rapper while Meek and Wale score Number 1 albums? We’re all trying to get to that number one spot. Ain’t no playing no positions over here. We’re all trying to win. But we all have our own lanes so we’re all successful already. What makes you feel you’re successful? Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Khaled, 2 Chainz... they listen to my music and know my lyrics. It’s so crazy when not only peers, but OGs, are checking for you and now you’re music. I ran into Cee Lo [Green] in LA.He tells me he’s waiting on my album to come out.
They’re checking for me. I grew up admiring those guys. To get that respect makes me feel successful. Plan on collaborating with any of the people who you just listed?
Yeah man, we working. Right now got collabs with Schoolboy Q and a few other cats. Ithink people like my collaborations because to me it’s a vibe you get from a person. Me and Spitta are bros. Me and Rozay, you can hear it that we’re seeing eye to eye. I can do records with anyone, but it’s bout the chemistry while working together that makes fans gravitate to it. August 6 2013
EXCLUSIVE:Don’t Sleep. Stalley Plans To Wake Up The Masses With ‘Honest CowboyS’Mixtape
(AllHipHop Feature) Maybach Music Group’s Stalley has been releasing music for over 5 years. After dropping three independent mixtapes prior to 2012 and his first project under the MMGumbrella last year, Stalley believes his latest mixtape, Honest Cowboy, is the definitive work that will force the non-believers to take notice. “It’s going to be one that people will remember for a long time. I think this one will solidify me in the game as being top dog and not slept on,” says Stalley on Honest Cowboy. “People come up to me and they always say that I’m slept or that I’m overlooked, but I think this is that one that’s going to open people’s eyes up. The music is going to speak for itself.” Honest Cowboy is a free project that Stalley describes as a musical exploration of who he really is and where he came from. The title was inspired by his troubled father who left the family in Ohio to pursue work as a rancher in San Antonio, Texas. “I didn’t really grow up with [my father]. That’s the reason that sparked the title and the feel of the album. That was me trying to understand a little more about why he left his family and went down south to go be a cowboy,” explains Stalley. “I saw the parallel of a cowboy and Hip Hop artists today. You go on these frontiers, and you work hard and try to provide for your family. As an artist, you spend a lot of time away from your family and people that’s close to you to try and build this life.” Kyle “Stalley” Myricks grew up in Massillon, Ohio, deeply connected to the car culture and high school sports. Massillon, a town of about 30,000 people roughly an hour outside of Cleveland, was also the place where Stalley’s grandmother introduced him to the songs of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and the storytelling of country music. Eventually, a young Kyle was exposed to Hip Hop, and the future rapper found his new passion. “When I first heard Hip Hop was 2Pac’s Strictly4MyN.I.G.G.A.Z. ‘Brenda’s Got A Baby’, those types of records, really touched me,” says Stalley. “I dove into other music like N.W.A., Ice Cube, Scarface, E-40, Nas, OutKast.” With tracks like Honest Cowboy’s “Raise Your Weapons” the 30-year-old emcee is harkening back to the social conscious records of artists like Tupac who used their music to make statements about the political state of the nation, the injustice of the judicial system, and the institutionalized oppression that affect the community of his listeners. “I sit around and I get mad at times because nobody speaks for us. Nobody has that voice. Even people with a bigger voice than me. These artists who have a wider reach and bigger audience never speak on things, because I think people are so afraid to get criticized on social networks and in the media,” says Stalley. “I started [“Raise Your Weapons”] out saying, ‘They saying I’m the last of a dying breed in a generation in a dire need of a voice like me.’ I honestly feel like that. I feel like the generation has a dire, dire need for someone to just stand up and speak for the community.” Stalley also uses his new project as an homage to his loves like buckets and southern Hip Hop. Both of those interests come together on the lead single “Swangin” featuring shout outs to Houston rap, a sample of Alabama rap duo G-side, and a verse from legendary Geto Boys member Scarface. “You don’t really hear Scarface talking much about cars. We’re use to hearing street talk from him and the ghetto tales,” says Stalley. “I wanted to have him do a little something different from what people are used to hearing.” Stalley also recruited a Western voice for Honest Cowboy. TDE’s Schoolboy Q will make an appearance on “NINETEENEIGHTY7.” The pair recently shot a video for the record in Q’s hometown of Los Angeles. “That’s one of them records that’s going to turn up the hood. It’s definitely one that I think is going to stick and stay for a minute. It’s a big record.” Stalley’s desire to create a masterful work led him to record over a 100 verses. He eventually dwindling the tunes down to ten tracks which features production from DJ Quik, Block Beataz, Si, Terence Martin, Rashad, Soundtrakk, and Black Diamond. Stalley hopes what he calls “the album before the album” satisfies his core fans and also appeals to new audience as well. “For anybody that listens to TheAutobiogrophy to Lincoln WoyNights to Savage Journeythey know that the sound stays similar, but it always grows and gets bigger,” says Stalley. “I just focus on getting sharper with the pen, sharper with the flow, and making sure that the production stays my sound, but also grows and gets more worldly so that it can reach a wider audience. Every artist wants to grasp the attention of a new fan every time out, and I think that’s what I did with this project.” Stalley’s Honest Cowboy will be available for download August 8. Follow Stalley on Twitter5hi!y
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is 8, Decatur or Savanna. They represented the Atlanta sound, but they took it so specific and exact to the neighborhood they grew up in, and that’s what think I do in my music as well. DX: I’mjust glad there are still rappers out there listening to Boot Camp Clik.. Staltey .. “ — The Shining is one of my favorite albums of all time Everything about it is dope from the production to the raps the whole vibe and mood of it, It’sjust a beautiful record. DX: Who are your top five favorite Ohio rappers/producers of all time?
StaNey: I would Layzie, K:ayyie, say Bizzie, Wish and Flesh...all the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, man. That’s my top five right there; I love Bone. But I’m so proud of everybody else too that’s coming out of Ohio right now, like Cudi, King Chip, M1 and all those guys. It’s a good movement and the good start of a movement.
I mean when you think of the Midwest, the only people who really had a strong impact on music was Chicago. Chicago had Crucial Conflict, Twista, Kanye, Common to GLC. Now Chicago’s got Chief Keef and King Louie and all those guys. So we’re just trying to really put that stamp on it to and represent for the Midwest like Chicago has. DX: Ohio’s been putting on for a while now too though. Stattey: t think it’stime for the Midwest in general, not just Ohio or Chicago or Detroit—because we know Detroit has great artists too, like Eminem and Royce da 59, Bio5an and those guys. But it’s time for the Midwest to really have that movement. We’re the only people that haven’t had that strong movement, and it’s a surge of it comm through. The East Coast had its time, the West Coast had its time, the South had its time, but the
Midwest hasn’t really had that powerful five-to-ten year. 20-year run yet, and I think it’scoming. DX: Maybe you can change that. Honest Cowboy comes out August 8, what can we expect out of that? Stalley: I’mcaught up in it. I’mreally excited about this project because it’s probably some of the most personal music that I’veput out. It’sdefinitely a different side of me. You’re always going to have that classic Stalley and riding music, but there’s definitely some records on there that get you a little
deeper into the way Ithink and the way I feel. I don’t want to give it away, but there’s some touching songs and some songs where I’mvery opinionated certain about things r we dropped that and it was one of the more political powerful messages that Iye put out so far since I’vebeen doing music. And that’s what it is; it’sjust a lot of honesty. It’sjust me being a cowboy. Me being someone who just goes out there
and doesn’t care about what people think or say and tells you what Ifeel, think and want to say without caring about what you feel. And it’s exciting because this is a big step to me. I’msomeone who’s from a small town and someone who’s really to myself. I’vealways been that way.
Growing up kid I I as a was always the one that walked through the hallways by myself. Even though played sports and was popular, Ijust always kept kind of stuck to myself and stayed secluded in my own thoughts, so it’s big for me to actually express myself through the music. It’sa hard thing to do for me but that’s why I’mexcited to put this out.
DX: I know you played Division 1 basketball and you’re a big hoops fan... Stalley: Yeah man, we could talk for hours about that. And you know we from the Midwest so we get passionate about that stuff It’s still going to be
hard for anyone to get past the Heat though. I don’t know If you heard my new record “A-Wax,”but I gave Joakim Noah some love.\ DX: Before we get too heavy into the hoops, you dropped a visual trailer for Honest Cowboy about a week ago. How important is it to do stuff like that? It seems like everyone has those visual trailers now.
Staltey: Ithink the trailer and those visuals give you another voice and another side that the people don’t always get to see or that you don’t get to explain through the music. So I think it’s important that you give ‘em bloqs or trailers here and there, and give ‘em a deeper behind the scenes look into the music. [You have to] explain a little more in detail than the music might touch on, because sometimes you can’t put everything in the song. I’ll probably drop a few more to give people more insight on the project, DX: You’ve given a lot of your tracks away for free on your website during a time when the debate about free versus paid-for music has been big. Why do you give fans free music? Stalley: The way music is—how fast it goes and how much is put out through so many different artists—it’s oversaturated. So it’s important that you give out quality music and really get those fans to support. Once your tans know that you consistently put out great music and you’ve given them so much, it’s going to be easier for them to trust in you and feel comfortable with purchasing your album—especially when they can get it for free. Even when you put out music for sale they still get it for free, so it’s important that you grow that type of support and just put out that constant quality so
“I I they’ll be like, know what I’mgoing to get so don’t mind spending my little$10, $12, $15 for this album.” And also, I want to have that conversation with them, meaning that I want them to know who Iam and understand me a little bit more before you just throw an album in their face. DX: Are there going to be a lot of references to sneaks and cars on Honest Cowboy and in your verses on Self Made vol. 3 like there have been in your previous work? Stalley: Oh yeah, definitely. I’vegot to throw that in because that’s a big heavy, heavy, heavy part of my life. Me not talking about a car or some
in my is like K I sneakers music not talking about marijuana smoking ye got to mention it no matter what type of song Iye got to do it Its
just something that’s so important to me and something that’s always been through my lifegrowing up, so I definitely try and set the mood and set the
scene a little better. I’malways around a car, in a car or I want to be around a car so, it’s always going to be heard in the music. And I’vealways got some fresh sneakers on my feet, so I’vegot to always throw that in there too.
full I It’s a lifestyle, man. It’sa time job to be a sneakerhead, and can’t even keep up. IfI’ma real sneakerhead, Ican’t even be doing this interview right now. Something’s coming Out right now. There’s something to be looking Outfor right now ifyou’re a sneakerhead. Nike drops six new releases every week, and that’s just Nike. That ain’t including Reebok, Adidas and all that,
DX: Well I know you played Division 1 baIl at the University of Michigan and a bit at Long Island University. Who has the better shoe collection, you or labelmate Wale? I know he played some Dl football.
He did, did. Both I Stalley: he of us didn’t really have a chance to reach the pinnacles of our career, and didn’t even really get to touch the court like I wanted due to injury. So I think we live a little through the sneakers with that. Just being an athlete, that’s how a lot of us get started into collecting the sneakers or just appreciating sneaker quality, the materials and the impact that it has on the culture...and the timing and where you were at and what
year and what colorways your team wore. Wale has some great footwear, but t got to say I have the best sneakers in the game, because its quality over quantity and I have some great, great kicks. But I’msure he’ll say he has better too, that’s just opinion. But we’re definitely two peopie who are passionate about the sneakers. DX: You were a guest editor for a shoe website at one point, and you wrote for SLAMmagazine at one point so you know your stuff. What’s your all- time favorite shoe? Do you have a current favorite?
Stalley: The True Blue 3 is my I Jordan favorite sneaker. Currently, love the Flyknit Chukka’s in every color. Since they’ve been dropping those, I have
I’mon I every single one. the search for those. There’s only one pair that don’t have and they’re an HTM pair that dropped overseas that I didn’t get my hand on. I have the other HTMjoints, but I don’t have just this one pair. But the Flyknit Chukka’s to me are one of the best sneakers that Mikehas done in along, long time. DX: What do you think about Hypebeasts and everything going on with Jordan’s right now? Stattey: It’sa crazy world right now, man. There’s Hypebeasts in every aspect of culture. Sneakers, clothes, cars, jewelry, whatever man; people are just doing whatever is popular just to get it, and they don’t really do their research or really pay attention to understand the whole culture and what people have been through. The thing that sucks DX: What was it like working with Scarf ace?
Stalley: Aw man, it dream come true. I was a That’s Uncle Facet learned a lot about the swangin’ culture. Like said, swangin’ is something that I wanted to pay homage to being a supporter of the swangers and the Houston movement. Up in the Midwest, we’re big on cars but we didn’t really do the poke-outs too much. I know in Ohio, we did blades and we did Dayton’s, spokes and stuff like that. So just to hear a little bit about the culture—the swangers and the original poke-outs—from him was dope. ‘ye had homies who died over fatty’s, pokers, Dayton’s and stuff like that, and to hear him tell stories about how his partners died over these ‘84s and these poke-outs, it was great to hear how two cultures can be so similar and so passionate about the rides.
And that’s what I really wanted to come in across the music. We enjoy, we ride, but at the same time this is a culture. This is a movement. Like Isaid, “Uncle Bun and Scarface / The reason why my car laced with a detachable Alpine face.” Those guys are the reason I went and put sounds in my car and took the Alpine.. you remember the detachable faces for the car radios? That was the reason why Idid that. And then I said, “Ihad my trunk laced
with fifteens loud I I I and bass ‘cause had to listen to Screw, right! First time poured lean had to use up two Sprites!I swear I drove like all night! Under that Houston star, lazy — rest in peace to Pimp! And Big Moe, the Barre Baby.” And again, people have died over this culture, over this syrup. That’s Syrup City down there, and people have died over that. People think sippin’ syrup and drinking lean is cool. But I’msaying, ‘C’mon man, but rest in peace to the originals, to Screw and Pimp and Big Moe...it’s serious.” Pay homage, show your love and your respect, but just know that there are consequences to everything, good and bad. OX: You’ve worked with classic artists like Scarface, but you’ve also been on stage with artists like KRS-One, Method Man and Redman, and Camp Lo and all kinds of Golden Age rappers. Who’s been the most fun to perform with?
Stalley: Every single one. That’s like picking a favorite from MMG;I can’t pick one favorite, because everyone has their different energy and different styles. Ipicked up a lot of different tricks and trades on how to control crowds from Method and Red and Mos Def. Just watching all of ‘em is great. These guys are from the Golden Age, and they come from when you really had to put on a show, Itwasn’t just a live performance; you had to put on a show. And that’s why Itake my craft and my showmanship so serious, because coming up as a young artist—I’ve only been doing music for five years now—but in these five years that I’ve been doing music, to be alongside some of those great artists during shows has taught me so much and the importance of that showmanship. DX:Who was the best to party with before the show? Stalley: Camp Lo, probably. On the low they were the best party. They are turnt up at all times. They are some good guys, comical, very funny guys, man, and they just let loose. I really enjoyed being around them. Those are the originators right there; a lot of people took their styles from them. A lot of people took their styles from them, and those are two guys that came into the game, who dressed a certain way, rapped a certain way, and they made their mark and that’s where music has to get back to. A lot of people follow trends; if’s wack rapping. Everybody on the radio, in the club and you the wack one or you’re boring or whatever it is. But back in the day, it was cool to be the opposite, and it was cool to be different. It was cool to rap about different things and dress a different way, and that’s what I’mtrying to lead back into the game—just having that honest cowboy mentality, that original mentality of lust being you and saying whatever you want to say, because nobody can say your life the way you can say your life. August 7 2013
Rapper Stalley wants to his fans to feel like family Rapper Stalley just wants be honest with his fans. This week, the Ohio emcee and member of Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, released his second mixtape, Honest Cowboy. Stalley tells theGrio.com his main goal with his latest effortis to invitehis fanbase more intimatelyintohis world.
“Theyknow I’mfromOhio,”Stalley said about his connectionwithhis fans. [Thefans] knowI’minto sports, sneakers, fashion. But,you know I reallywant to get them deeper intomy life— meet my father, my mother, my kids. I want them to feel like family.”
TheGrio j Blue collar roots define the ‘Bruce Springsteen of rap’ Stalle is a car enthusiast as well. His love for automobiles is currently on display with his most recent single “Swangin’,” which features rap legend Scarface.
“Igrew up listening to Scarface,” Stalley recalled. “That’s all you would hear on the streets and in the cars. For him to jump on my track was a true honor and blessing.”
Check out what else Stalley had to say in our Grio interview and let us know what you think in the comments below. Download: Compton cut Beataz. released Stalley’s Stalley “NineteenEighty7,” Schoolboy Honest working swap feat. Stalley meet. Schoolboy Cowboy, toward Q’s Neither f. fuzzy an Schoolboy a a LA Q solo tape
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Stalley Talks ‘SelfMade 3’ And Beard Maintenance
With Maybach Music Group’s third compilation album Self Made, Vol. 3 sliding into stores tomorrow (Sept. 17), RickRoss and Co. are looking to flood the streets with new posse cuts while also giving each member its individual shine. Stalley recently caught up with VIBEto discuss his solo contribution called “Coupes/ Roses” and what makes him most excited about sharing wax with his team.
“It’sstill me, It’sstill Stalley, Istill get what Iwant to say. It’s not like Iget into a different character,” the Ohio rapper explains, “but it’s great because Iget to ride different beats. That’s what Iget excited about because the beats that Ross selects for this project are totally different.”
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music BREAKAWAY MUSICFESTIVAL BYANWDOWNING//@andydownlng33 n Kendrick Lamar’smuch-applauded guest verse on Big Sean’s “Control,” the rapper surveys the musical land O scape and sees little match for his ample skillset, rhym ing, “What is competition? I’m ti-yin’to raise the bar high.” One imagines the uber-confident, Los Angeles-born MC would express similar sentiments if he were to assess the rest of the field at the inaugural Breakaway Music Festival, a new born concert venture produced by local promoters Prime Social Group, who will also host a sister event next weekend at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The daylong affair, which takes place at Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14, brings together nearly 30 acts culled from the worlds of rock, EDMand hip-hop, including Lamar, whose headlining turn should easily be one of the fest’s standouts sets. But who else could rise to the rapper’s dial lenge? Here are a handful of acts with the potential to b-ing down the house.
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STALEY Massillon native Kyle Myricks.whose robust beard could make .en James Harden jealous, has been on a tear as of late, followinghis 2012 mixtape $avagq Jowney to the Ameri can Oreamwith August s Honest Cowboy. His latest is both brainy and brawny mixingstreet-level tales with comparatively off-kilter flights of fancy. As the MCputs It succinctly on Spaceshps &iödgrain’. he Specializes in intel ligent trunk musIc for the unique
iuici While Schoolboy Qsounds forever troubled by the ways of the idd, Memphis rapper Juicy J, born Jordan Michael Houston, spends the entirety of his latest brushing aside drama. The MC’sStay Trfp’, plays like a hifrhop version of ‘Entourage’ presenting his life as an endless, consequence-free blur of parties, women and drugs. 1Jv- ing like a roCkstar,” he rhymes on Smoke ROliW’rt’ueneverbeet..
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Grouo. James With the NBAplayoffs set to begin this weekend, Ohio native and Maybach Music Group member Stalley will be rooting on hometown friend LeBron James closely.
See, Stalley knows that James is an Ohio guy and will someday return to resurrect the franchise — Cleveland Cavaliers -- he left.
1 think soon hell honestly go back and give them a ring and do as he proniised said Stalley, who was quite critical of James during the Decision’ of 2010. When that happens. everyone will erase the past, and hell be king again here. Hell enjoy his life back home.’
Ohio is and will always be home for Stalley, born Kyle Mvricks. He started out making rnixtapes and started working with big-time producers and he signed with Rick Ross Maybach Music Group and will release his debut album this summer.
In fact, growing up in Massillon. Ohio, Stallev played James in high school basketball, Stalley was a 6-2 player also with NBAaspirations.
I tip my hat to LeBron. 1 knew he was going to be something special. I saw him up close a lot. He was an animal, Stalley said. 1’m still such a big fan of his. He is my motivation. Seeing him do what he does, why cant I get Grammvs Why cant I sell platinum records? It makes me work harder.” 2
Plavbook had a few minutes with Stalley to talk LeBron, music and his love of cars.
You played basketball as a teen. Think you could have qone pro?
1 don’t see why I couldn’t. I always had that dream. I could see myself playing overseas or even the NBA.I’m not a person who lives out of my means so Fknow the road wouldn’t have been easy. I think music is very similar. You have to put in the work.”
You were not happy when James left for Miami but have you softened your stance?
“We’re all prideful in Ohio. I think LeBron wants to live here and retire here and do it peacefully. I understand why he left. He was from a small town. It’s like one out of a million can make it, and he did. I get that. In my hip hop world, it’s similar. We have no big shows or big radio play here. If you can leave and do what you need to do and then come back, why not? That’s how it is for me, I get things done and I go back home. from feel listeninQ baEk listening 50U first ‘1 You “Most When get also What nitro gas cars. and like Besides ‘Man, It’s felt n the one station. their are you single, d. say in and like kits. The the definitely. is I you Ohio? like 330 arid to your to known the mingle a basketbati, give time car whole Its Barrett-Jackson make their more so ‘Swangin$ of It’s fully 1976 speakers. perfect 1976 you is many. Massillon, among for not Right music downtown right. of it restore an Camaro big, that Chevelles.” your like you 1 upto-date car? now, in It’s really others. do I classic is Fast their Ohio, mixtapes it. want have a you car Z28s a shuts I I’d perfect love collobration collect and cars. auction to It’s want this And think sound. with vibe the give down, the like but the huqe You sneakers. state original youlI the 1968 at Furious’ scene you Thv when you younger always the and T-top.” love with in that Camaro. be now want hip same everything. I where you affair was Sneakers It’s collecting Scarface. sound wanted hop. kids are have musicality time. more a owners I with working kid will People love and this to I laid That’s will and sit cars? want Its muscle the know that car in are turn back. and are you’d a on their ‘68 show. you more feel smooth there starting what Irics. into your cars. 427 It’s see to cars and of cars.” You Honda showcasing hear song engine. first I’m guys my Whats and at that to have trying the dream my get album. was different riding Civics kind I’d music Kmart carnival that back blaring to love of car. their around with Your bring scene music.” to and or I’d to food BP it I’d June 25, 2013
STALLEY,JOE HADEN,Di CLARKKENT,OTHERSWEIGH IN ON KICKSON COURT RACE
The 2013 Kicks On Court race is underway. Throughout the 2012-2013 NBAseason, we not only caught up with our eight nominees, but also people we’ve worked with that actually paid attention to the Kicks On Court race and are sometimes spotted courtside at games. Here what Di Clark Kent, Joe Haden, Stalley and others have to say about who should be crowned on Friday. July 1, 2013
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Maybach Music Group MC and Celebrity Sneaker Stalker regular Stalley will serve as Nice Kicks Guest Editor for the month of July. Expect to see the Ohio native pop up all over Nice Kicksthis month in more columns than just CSS.Stay tuned to Nice Kicks all July long for exclusive stories and much more from Stalley. Peter weekend.
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Last night, MMG/Atlantic’s own Stalley returned to his old stomping grounds at the Alife Rivington where he hosted a special listening of his upcoming project, Honest Cowboy. The Ohio native extended the invite to his biggest fans via Twitter because he wanted to treat listeners to a sneak peak of the all the cuts that made it onto the final Honest Cowboy track list. Honest Cowboy drops August 8th, and Alife, along with Nice Kicks, hosted the celebration.Stalley previewed his fan’s favorite tracks. Joints like “Samson”, “Swangin”, “Nineteeneighty7”, and “Feel the Bass”, were some tracks that particularly showcased how the rapper’s talents have grown since signing with Rick Ross’ Maybach
Music label. Honest Cowboy is Stalley’s 5th mixtape in sixyears and artists like Schoolboy Q,Scarface, andCrystal Torres threw down ill guest verses for the project. Beats were supplied by Block Beataz and Rashad, among others.
Also in the house last night were Atlantic Records up-and-corners Justine Skye &Dusty McFly, who showed up to support their label mate. The excited fans and A Lifestaff definitely turned the event into a party, proving that Stalley’s Ohio sound is well-respected in NYC.Check out photos from the event in our slide show above and the album art below. We also have an interview with Stalley coming soon, so stay tuned. As Be fan There signature each With request), was The Last for sure that equipped listening night, a track the is mic to approached more Stalfey MMG music, cop spun. Stalley in event hand, than with Honest heavy hopped After on held an meets came head this
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