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.
Pound
Stalley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm a go to a place where the bass sound thicker
Slow the beat down cause the pace a little quicker
So we stay up, while the sun goes down
We ain't make enough, so let the elevator pound
[Stalley:]
From the 'jects to the penthouse
Kinetic energy, brain waves of intelligence, is what I send out
Still in the cutlass doing spin outs
'87 boxed up all tinted out
Living life on the edge, couple links that excite the feds
Shout to mister jones
It's funny how sparkling stones bring attention from these hater heads
A lot of changing faces from these potato heads
Eyes dilated when I sashay lifted
Couple doobies in the ashtray, cash clay run my mouth like a soon be champion
The long beard, hows the pain I be dancing in
The reign with the Pharoahs, mirror image to the gods
My homie glory brings head nods, the only story I been bout
This controlled mind with no facade
The dreamy intuition from a street politician is scarred
Back and forth with the pimps and gang land symbolers
Dope boys with the bang in they trunk
See the tremblers
Milq city where I'm from, where the opie emblems
Street names after indians, so wild cowboys watch where you coming in
Tomahawks with assault rifles
May bump into the next king pin or Haile Selassie
Civil with the spiritual
This city feels unlucky searching for a miracle
On this elevator ride skipping floors
Trying to reach the top, then the structure falls (falls)
[Chopped and screwed voice:]
And I'm a go to a place where the bass sound thicker
Slow the beat down cause the pace a little quicker
So we stay up, while the sun goes down
We ain't make enough, so let the elevator pound
The song "Pound" by Stalley features an intro from a chopped and screwed voice that creates a sense of anticipation before the rapper takes over. He begins by describing his background from the 'jects to the penthouse, highlighting the kinetic energy and intelligence he exudes. Stalley constantly reminds listeners that he still lives life on the edge, as evidenced by his '87 cutlass and tinted windows. He has exciting links that the feds have not yet caught on to, with mister jones being one of his accomplices. He acknowledges that glittering diamonds bring attention from haters, but he's not bothered by the changing faces of people who would seek to undermine his success.
Stalley then provides a glimpse into his leisure habits, with his dilated eyes and ashtrays filled with doobies. He raps like he's about to become the champion, unbothered by the pain that might come with it. The street politician in him is permanently scarred by his intuition and dreams of success. He's familiar with the pimps and gang symbols, referencing the dope boys with their bangs in their trunks in Milq city where he comes from. He reminds the wild cowboys to be cautious when coming into the area, what with the street names after indians and the tomahawks with assault rifles.
In the song's chorus, the chopped and screwed voice returns, urging listeners to go to a place where the bass sound thicker and to slow the beat down, while still remaining up as the sun goes down. They haven't made enough, so they should let the elevator pound. Stalley parallels the journey to success with an elevator ride, as he attempts to avoid the collapse of the structure and achieve his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
And I'm a go to a place where the bass sound thicker
I'm heading towards a place where the bass is louder and stronger
Slow the beat down cause the pace a little quicker
I ask to slow down the music because I want to enjoy it better, despite it having a faster rhythm
So we stay up, while the sun goes down
We keep ourselves awake during the night even though the daylight is gone
We ain't make enough, so let the elevator pound
We didn't earn much money, so we'll let the elevator shake and make noise instead
From the 'jects to the penthouse
From the housing projects to the luxury penthouses
Synonymous to what my life been 'bout
My life has been associated with these two worlds
Kinetic energy, brain waves of intelligence, is what I send out
I'm putting out energy and intelligence to the world around me
Still in the cutlass doing spin outs
I'm still driving a 1980s Oldsmobile Cutlass and doing risky car maneuvers
'87 boxed up all tinted out
My 1987 Cutlass is all tinted for privacy
Living life on the edge, couple links that excite the feds
I'm living dangerously and I have connections that the feds are interested in
Shout to mister jones
I'm giving a shoutout to Mr. Jones
It's funny how sparkling stones bring attention from these hater heads
People who don't like me suddenly pay attention when I have expensive jewelry on
A lot of changing faces from these potato heads
There are many people around me who are untrustworthy, and they change their faces easily
Eyes dilated when I sashay lifted
My eyes are wide open when I'm walking around while lifted on drugs or alcohol
Couple doobies in the ashtray, cash clay run my mouth like a soon be champion
There are some marijuana cigarettes in the ashtray, and I'm talking confidently like I'll win a championship soon
The long beard, hows the pain I be dancing in
My long beard is a reminder of the pain I've experienced and the way I've danced through it
The reign with the Pharoahs, mirror image to the gods
I have power and influence like the Pharoahs, and I see myself as an image of the gods
My homie glory brings head nods, the only story I been bout
I get respect and approval from my friends because my only focus is my own story
This controlled mind with no facade
I have control over my own mind and there's no fakery or hiding behind a facade
The dreamy intuition from a street politician is scarred
My intuition about politics on the streets is injured and broken
Back and forth with the pimps and gang land symbolers
I'm dealing with pimps and gang members who use their symbols as a way of communicating
Dope boys with the bang in they trunk
Drug dealers have drugs in their car trunks and bass-heavy music playing
See the tremblers
I see the tremors or movements caused by the bass-heavy music
Milq city where I'm from, where the opie emblems
I'm from a city called Milq, which has emblems resembling those of the fictional motorcycle club Sons of Anarchy (Opie was a member)
Street names after indians, so wild cowboys watch where you coming in
The city has streets named after Native Americans, so rowdy people should be cautious when entering those areas
Tomahawks with assault rifles
Some people in the city carry weapons like tomahawks and assault rifles
May bump into the next king pin or Haile Selassie
I might come across the next drug kingpin or the descendant of Emperor Haile Selassie (a revered figure in Rastafarianism)
Civil with the spiritual
I try to maintain civility while being spiritual
This city feels unlucky searching for a miracle
The city feels unlucky and miserable, and people are searching for a miracle to change their lives
On this elevator ride skipping floors
During this elevator ride, we're passing some floors and not stopping on them
Trying to reach the top, then the structure falls (falls)
We're trying to reach the top floor, but suddenly the structure (the elevator or something else) falls or crashes
Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emiko Asifor-Tuoyo
Goosebumps. Stalley is so underrated
Timah R.
Too bad mumble rap was more important.
Sabriyyah Davis
This the Stalley I met. This the lyrical genius I came to love.
lilmehtz69
Stalley raps about the truth. His words should be the voice of our generation, he's all about defeating the negatives and bringing positives in the world
Zaki P
Today is the day for the first release I have been checking the calendar for since hip-hop was purchase worthy. Whenever I feel like I am one of the only dark dudes left who is not satisfied with the status quo, I throw in my man STALLEY. He keeps me motivated to keep trying and open the eyes of our lil homies who are ignorant to the world outside our project windows!
primetime858moneymay
Who else is still bumpin' in 2020?!?!? LETS GO Stalley. May Allah bless us all.
David Sloan Geer
2022 still bumpin this like it’s new
hilal abraham permana
2023 Still right here
MSSOUTHS1DE
Mannnn this dude never cease to amaze me..major shouts out to the video director Walu!! Yeah I totally agree Stalley's beat selection game is off the hook!! #onconstantrepeat
TheMisterDEEJ
its so dope to see heads like stalley keepin the basis lyrical hip hop in the creation. mad prop stalley, never stop.