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.
Problems
Stalley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sittin' here, plottin' how to count a million dollars
I need houses and garages
Got baby mama drama, get my mama out them projects
Ain't got too many options
So I'ma take one, double back and make a profit
I need houses and garages
I gotta get my mama out the projects
So it's llamas in the projects
A nigga out here starving
This rap better work, I'm playing niggas in that garden
I came from that fridge with empty crates and milk cartons boy
Belly achin', walking with a 9
Should I shoot him down or just rob a nigga blind
Only head shots, never catch him in his spine
That's what my block taught me, it's a kill every time
That's just the mind of a kid trying to free his mom
Out that two bedroom with five kids
Malnourished, ribs touching, man this poverty a bitch
So we slanging dope, ducking pigs, posted with them sticks
Welcome to Ohio, where we hustle to live
So it's factory work
Or we busting down and breaking if that ain't gon' work
Then we run in your crib, cig smoking like Wiz
One move, bump bump, put two in your wig
Grandma pray for our sins, hoping God forgives
But today is pay day, and all this broke ish gon' end
I swear all this broke ish gon' end
A nigga got problems
Sittin' here, plottin' how to count a million dollars
I need houses and garages
Got baby mama drama, get my mama out them projects
Ain't got too many options
So I'ma take one, double back and make a profit
I need houses and garages
Got baby mama drama, get my mama out them projects
My baby on her last Pamper
And her mama on my last nerve
And I just lost my sneaker gig
So you know it's back to the curb
My cousin got a bird, said he front me quarter key
Told him, "gimme a week, I'll be where I need to be"
Now I'm penitentiary chancing on the block with my G's
Trying to clock G's to feed my family
And I don't wanna do it but I'm in a tight squeeze
Left hand full of stones, right hand got a tight squeeze
On this hammer case a nigga try me
Cops casing the block trying to lock me
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
Survival is the key
Big ass crib with garages is the dream
Ba-balancing flows, to balancing triple beams
'Cause I ain't never been a problem
But something's gotta give
'Cause a nigga got problems
A nigga got problems
Sittin' here, plottin' how to count a million dollars
I need houses and garages
Got baby mama drama, get my mama out them projects
Ain't got too many options
So I'ma take one, double back and make a profit
I need houses and garages
Got baby mama drama, get my mama out them projects
Blue collar, blue, blue collar
In Stalley's song Problems, he talks about the struggles of living in poverty and trying to make a better life for himself and his loved ones. The chorus repeats the line "A nigga got problems" which sets the tone for the song. Stalley describes himself as sitting and plotting on how to make a million dollars, but with limited options, he turns to illegal activities like selling drugs and robbing people. His ultimate goal is to provide better housing for his mother and to get her out of the projects. Stalley mentions his baby mama drama and how his family's financial struggles are weighing on him. He talks about the danger of his situation, worrying about being caught by the police or getting into a violent altercation. Despite this, he feels like he has no choice but to keep hustling to make ends meet.
Line by Line Meaning
A nigga got problems
The singer is going through difficulties and challenges.
Sittin' here, plottin' how to count a million dollars
The singer is hoping to find a solution to his problems through wealth.
I need houses and garages
The singer desires a life of luxury and material possessions.
Got baby mama drama, get my mama out them projects
The artist is dealing with familial issues and wants to provide a better life for his mother and child.
Ain't got too many options
The artist feels limited in his choices.
So I'ma take one, double back and make a profit
The singer is willing to take risks and try to make money to improve his situation.
My baby on her last Pamper
The singer's child is running low on diapers.
And her mama on my last nerve
The artist's partner's mother is causing stress and frustration.
And I just lost my sneaker gig
The artist lost his job selling sneakers.
So you know it's back to the curb
The artist is going back to selling drugs on the street.
But something's gotta give
The singer knows that he needs to change something in his life.
'Cause a nigga got problems
The artist is emphasizing his struggles and challenges.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER THORNTON, DIONDRIA THOMAS, LARRY GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Forbes Ferrari
Hardest song on the album I wish that this would have got a better push
SCAMP’
💯💯
Essence Cartoon
Repeating keywords.... That's like beating a dead body... lol smh
Hollow-Point
Love Stalley! Dis song is hard!!
Lucky christian edosovba
i fuck with stalley from Nigeria # kip makin dope music bro
Jesse King
Love from Asheville NC 🔥🔥
J San
mad luv from sweden
Kyle Greenwood
Sound liike a gangsta kanye wish this dude flew. Curren$y sees the best rappers