In 2008, Stalley made his mixtape debut, titled Goin Ape, with fellow Ohio-native rapper Terry Urban. In 2009, he followed with the release of the new mixtape, titled MadStalley: The Autobiography, and a newfound reputation as a force on stage. Stalley attended the 2010 Iron Mic Competition in Beijing as the featured MC.
After Stalley signed a deal to Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group (MMG) label. Stalley has worked with producers Ski Beatz on the tracks, including "Address", "S.T.A.L.L.E.Y.", "Do It Big", and "Harsh Ave". Artist, named Rashad Thomas, was featured on album Lincoln Way Nights and a recording artist, named J. Rawls would be featured on the track "Babblin".
Stalley was featured on Curren$y's Universal/Def Jam album Pilot Talk on the track "Address" (released in June 2010), as well as he featured on Ski Beatz's Universal/Def Jam projects– including 24 Hour Karate School and 24 Hour Karate School, Pt. 2. In February 2011, Stalley completed a sports-themed music project, commissioned by ESPN, for future use in television and online programming. Stalley's Lincoln Way Nights (released in February 2011) has received 130K+ downloads and reigned at number 2 for Bandcamp hip hop releases. Lincoln Way Nights (released in November 2011) debuted at number 18 on the iTunes hip hop charts and has sold 4K+ copies.
Stalley also was featured on the Maybach Music Group albums, including Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, along with Rick Ross's mixtape Rich Forever. He also appeared on Ross' fifth studio album God Forgives, I Don't.
His most recent mixtape Savage Journey To The American Dream (released in March 2012), which reached 100K downloads in the first week, and was featured as the Stereogum Mixtape of the Week and the Spin Rap Release of the Week (7 out of 10). It was graded an XL by XXL, and HipHopDX awarded it 3.5 out of 5. The mixtape almost entirely produced by Huntsville, AL underground veterans Block Beattaz. Stalley's debut retail single "Swangin" featuring Scarface, from his Honest Cowboy, released on March 26, 2013 reuses a beat from G-Side's namesake track "Swangin" off their 2008 album "Starshipz & Rocketz", also produced by Block Beattaz. The music video was released on July 9, 2013 and featured a cameo from Paul Wall. On August 8, 2013, following of his mixtape's release, it was met with generally positive reviews from critics such as PopMatters. After it was revealed, it received a nomination at the 2013's BET Hip Hop Awards for the "Best Mixtape Category". After receiving a great response from his label, he released Honest Cowboy: EP to iTunes on September 17, 2013, which is on the same day as the release of the label's third compilation album Self Made Vol. 3.
On August 22, 2014, Stalley announced his debut album, Ohio, and four days later, he announced October 27 as the release date.
On August 21, 2015, almost one year since announcing his debut album, Stalley released a seven track mixtape, titled The Laughing Introvert. On January 25, 2016, Stalley released his 7th mixtape titled Saving Yusuf.
In 2017, Stalley released his second and third albums through Real Talk Entertainment, New Wave[/ablum] and Another Level. In an August 4 interview with Respect. magazine, he confirmed he was now independent.
Hercules
Stalley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming to get everything I worked for
Never been a church boy, but always knew god
Played the game hard never took nothing lightly
Stumbled any nigga trying to fight me, im not the push over type see
I will come back with thunder and lightning
Played under rain storms, hard times I came from
It′s hot on your side
Hustle from the same bag, delivery the eigth one
I ain't never lost one since stolen crumb
I′m back on my herc ish
Lion skin long club, thats what im working with
Stronger than you other kids,
Wide eyed lids
Focused on my weight gain,
Lou Ferrigno chisel man
Ain't nothing really chainged, im just cleaning up now
Tossing out you weaklings, cc-coming for you haters
I hear everything you speaking
Raps like high school
Thats why I dropped out I rather do home school
I better not around you, lames be the downfall
To a wise leader and a good friend
I step away before I let you niggas kill my legend
Ain't a blood type to specimen like him
I must be
Hercules
I must be Hercules
Her-Hercules
I must be Hercules
I must, I must
In Stalley's "Hercules," the rapper asserts his dominance in the rap game, likening himself to the mythical figure Hercules, the son of Zeus. Stalley refuses to let anyone take away his success and is always prepared to come back stronger if someone tries to get in his way. He declares that he has been through hard times and has always remained steadfast in his pursuit of success, using the strength and prowess of Hercules as his inspiration.
Stalley's lyrics showcase his confidence in his abilities and his strong work ethic. He has been hustling since the beginning and has never lost sight of his goals. He separates himself from weaker competition, ready to tackle anyone who stands in his path. The line "Raps like high school, that's why I dropped out, I rather do home school" shows his disdain for the rap industry and his decision to pave his own way as an independent artist.
Stalley's use of the metaphor of Hercules is powerful and adds a layer of mythology to his message of perseverance and strength. By comparing himself and his journey to the mythical hero, he creates a connection between the modern-day struggles of a rapper and the legends of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Rap warlord stay on point, like a scoreboard
Stalley is focused on his rap career, regularly keeping track of his progress, and he's not taking his foot off the gas.
Coming to get everything I worked for
Stalley has worked tirelessly to get to this point in his career, and he's not going to let anyone take it away from him.
Never been a church boy, but always knew god
Stalley didn't grow up in a religious household, but he has always had faith and believed in a higher power.
Played the game hard never took nothing lightly
Stalley has always taken his rap career seriously, putting in the hard work and dedication required to succeed.
Stumbled any nigga trying to fight me, im not the push over type see
Stalley won't back down from a fight or let anyone walk all over him; he's a force to be reckoned with.
I will come back with thunder and lightning
If someone tries to bring Stalley down or get in his way, he'll come back even stronger and more determined to succeed.
Played under rain storms, hard times I came from
Stalley has faced adversity and tough times, but he didn't let them stop him from pursuing his dreams.
It's hot on your side
Well nigga its the same sun
Stalley sees through excuses and knows that everyone has to deal with the same struggles and hardships in life.
Hustle from the same bag, delivery the eigth one
I ain't never lost one since stolen crumb
Stalley has always kept his hustle strong, and he's never let anyone take advantage of him or his earnings.
I'm back on my herc ish
Lion skin long club, thats what im working with
Stalley is back in action and ready to take on any challenge with his strength and determination, like a mythical herc.
Stronger than you other kids,
Wide eyed lids
Focused on my weight gain,
Lou Ferrigno chisel man
Stalley is more powerful and committed than other artists in the game, and he's focused on improving himself physically and mentally.
Ain't nothing really chainged, im just cleaning up now
Tossing out you weaklings, cc-coming for you haters
Stalley hasn't changed as a person, but he's taking this opportunity to get rid of negative influences and focus on his goals.
I hear everything you speaking
Raps like high school
Thats why I dropped out I rather do home school
Stalley hears all of the negativity and drama in the rap game, but he chooses to distance himself from it and stay focused on his own path to success.
I better not around you, lames be the downfall
To a wise leader and a good friend
I step away before I let you niggas kill my legend
Stalley knows that being around the wrong people can bring him down, so he chooses to surround himself with positive influences and step away from anyone who might hurt his reputation or success.
Ain't a blood type to specimen like him
I must be
Hercules
I must be Hercules
Her-Hercules
I must be Hercules
I must, I must
Stalley sees himself as a unique and powerful force in the rap game, just like the Greek god Hercules, and he's determined to reach his full potential.
Writer(s): Kyle Myricks, Thomas Michael Rashad
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NaturalMystic101
Regardless of what anyone thinks of this man, he deserves to be on the top, but the top is all wackness, and it seems like when people get to the top they change, so either way, his words are golden in my opinion, mad respect to stalley,from a true hiphop fan# Toronto
@MRGUSTAVOCHICKENFRING
Production on every track is GODLY. ITM!!!!
@dtub10
This sample is ill AS FUCK! I never disagree with Stalley's beat selections. He and Rick Ross always pick some REAL smooth stuff to rap over. I can see why Rosay singed him to Maybach Music.
@phantxmtv1322
Damn almost 7 years 😤 brings back memories... #Stalley
@SergGutta
fasho
@perryrocks666
12 years now... Still come back to this album every once in a while. Rashad and Stalley are absolute dynamite.
@VeelusMirAje
I gotta say this may be Stalley best song to date it displays his true skills, and lyrical abilities......Hells Angels is really good too!
@TBBuccaneers1717
Even though he really only raps for about a minute, I think this is one of the best songs I've heard in a loooooong time.
@RedIzFatal415
loving this vibe and feel
@TheFreshjeremy
so lyrically talented!