Almost Famous

Almost Famous

The second solo effort from 8 Ball shows that the Southern rap veteran’s artistic conviction runs deep. “The studio is where we meet up like a holy church,” he says in “Stripes.” The album marks the beginning of 8 Ball & MJG’s association with P. Diddy, who would go onto executive produce Living Legends and Ridin’ High, and appears here on “Stop Playin’ Games.” Bad Boy R&B artist Carl Thomas also guests, providing accompaniment for one of 8 Ball’s patented pimp raps on “Holla Back.” The theme of Almost Famous is the need for growth without alienating the fanbase. Eight Ball emphasizes that he is not content to simply rehash past triumphs, but on “Spit” he accepts full responsibility for the underwhelming response to the innovations of Space Age 4 Eva: “My love for change, got me stuck in the game / Got me goin’ insane, who the f*** can I blame? / Not you but me, not him but I / Is the one to blame for anything I try.” Almost Famous doesn’t take as many risks as Space Age, but it has some daring moments, particularly “Daddy,” a parenthood blues that features a bizarre-but-catchy chorus of children on the hook.

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