‘I still want so much more, and there’s so much more to get,’ he tells Mixtape Daily of Savage Journey to the American Dream. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ade Mangum Stalley Photo: Getty Images Main Pick Headliners : Stalley Representing : Massillon, Ohio Mixtape : Savage Journey to the American Dream Real Spit : The road to the riches is no doubt a bumpy one, but now that Massillon, Ohio, MC Stalley is riding with the Maybach Music Group, his trip should be a bit smoother — or so you’d think. On March 30, the bearded Maybach spitter dropped Savage Journey to the American Dream. “I named it Savage Journey to the American Dream because that’s just what I’ve been through,” Stalley told Mixtape Daily. “I’ve been searching for that American dream, and I’ve been on a savage hunt for it for the past year.” Stalley first began making a name for himself in 2009 when he dropped MadStalley: The Autobiography, a mixtape he released with Mickey Factz’s GFC camp, on which he rhymed over classic Madlib productions. It was a subtle yet effective shot that would help Stalley make a name for himself in quite a few influential rap circles. After linking with Damon Dash’s DD172 outfit and recording alongside guys like Mos Def and Curren$y, the Ohio native found his lane and released Lincoln Way Nights in 2011. It was his most notable release and helped him get noticed by Rick Ross . “One of my goals was to be a signed artist, and now I’m with MMG and Warner Bros.,” he said. “I thought that things would calm down and I would kinda be satisfied with that, but I still want so much more and there’s so much more to get.” On Savage Journey, Stalley navigates through the pitfalls that await young rappers. “Lane to lane switchin’, keep these lames and dames at distance/ Eight-cylinder pistons, it’s money talkin’, listen/ And it’s tellin’ me go get it, and I’ve been on my way,” he spits on the moody “Route 21.” Curren$y shows up on the car-themed “Hammers & Vogues,” and on “Lover’s Lane,” Stalley makes a pit stop after getting sidetracked by some overzealous females. Stalley gets props, holding down most of the mixtape by himself, but he of course gets help from his MMG family. Rozay and Meek Mill show up for the Block Beattaz-produced “BCGMMG,” and Wale lends a helping hand on “Home to You.” Whether Stalley will ultimately see his dream fulfilled remains to be seen, but with his underground rep already solidified, there’s nowhere to go but up. Joints to Check For
