After leaving Maybach Music Group, Stalley made a bold entrance into the independent circuit with his Tell the Truth: Shame The Devil trilogy of EPs. Though not necessarily a commercial breakout, the trilogy was critically well-received and had features from high-profile artists like Migos and Young Scooter. On his new EP Human, the Ohio artist successfully expands his sonic palette through exploring warm, soulful textures and introspective topics.
Things kick off strong with “Options,” an energetic track featuring J.Black and up-and-coming rapper Pregnant Boy (formerly known as Go Dreamer). Pointguard’s beat has an enticingly retro funk, lending the song some swagger. “Options” also boasts one of Human’s catchier moments with the hook — “which car am I going to drive today?” — slowly building into an ear-worm.
While Tell the Truth was scant on guests, Human is much more of a collaborative effort with every song on the EP featuring Pregnant Boy. Although there are plenty of moments of genuine chemistry between the two artists, Pregnant Boy occasionally can’t match the craft of Stalley’s lyricism. For example, the nonchalant track “I Don’t See” is weakened by the “Fun House” artist’s off-key chorus. However, the former MMG member thrives on the verses as he delves into heavier topics. In the opening verse, he opens up about his upbringing: “A product of the struggle single-mother family/ The way I live my life is enough to win a Grammy/ Good dude from a bad block full of have-nots where reaching success was like seeing Sasquatch.”
The overarching theme of the EP is the range of Human emotions. This complex concept lends itself to Stalley’s dexterity. The titular track is a highlight with Stalley spitting contemplative verses over a relaxed, jazzy beat in between the “WAVE” rapper softly singing the chorus. On “Frequency Energy,” the artist explores a more sensual, psychedelic vibe. The trippy intro bleeds into a soulful track about seduction and lust. Though the track verges on kitschy, it’s anchored by the textured production and range of Stalley’s delivery. The Ohio rapper jumps from slowly accentuating words to rapping with candor and speed, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment. He explores the spirituality of sex in poetic bars: “It’s love over war/ It’s peace over pain/ It’s nothing but comfort/ When bodies collide, our souls tangle.” Following “Frequency Energy,” the EP closes out with“The Trip” — a solid throwback track.
A few years after making a decision that many would regard as career suicide, Stalley continues to flex his creative freedom and has embraced a more eclectic production. Human has its rough edges and sometimes meanders. But it ultimately demonstrates that there’s a virtue in taking risks as long as one upholds a high level of craft.
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I will be copping this soon!… Support quality Hiphop y’all!
LOL @ a rapper named Pregnant Boy being formerly known as anything other than Pregnant Boy.
Each verse isn’t bad. There’s not really a message that hasn’t been covered on a better project. Lyrically , it’s not bad. Not gonna blow you away though. However, these Hooks are terrible. I mean the opening track “option” is unlistenable that hook is so damn bad
Just this morning, I was shocked to find out that my penis had to the gigantic black length and girth of a Negro schlonger donger, now hanging between my pasty white legs!!! I had been praying to Allah for months day and night that my teeny white Johnson would grow to the length and girth of that exhibited by a typical American Negroid specimen. Today, my prayers were answered! Where once there was a tiny pink wee wee, now there is a giant black mamba, a 10 inch boa constrictor hanging out of my boxers, splayed on the floor! I thought my prayers had indeed been answered, my life was finally worth living, and I praised and thanked the Profit Muhammed until tears streamed from my eyes and snot dripped from my nose, until I was suddenly shocked to find that, though my penis is now Sambo-Sized, my bank account is suddenly empty, my fridge is full of nothing but two week old fried chicken and malt liquor, I have five illegitimate kids named Leroi, four fat, lazy baby mamas named Shaquana, Shanayay, Shanta, and Moesha, I have nothing in my wallet but a maxed out EBT card and a few expired food stamps, I have unpaid bills dating back ten years, I have three outstanding warrants for vagrancy, robbery, and public chicken consumption, and I’m unemployed and live in a filthy trap house! HELP! HEEEELLLLPPPP!!!
No worthy listening to. I threw it in the garbage as soon as I purchased this at a store.