Search - E-40 :: Ball Street Journal

Fonzarelli, Still Sic Wid It (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 star

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 11/28/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Earl "40" Stevens has been in the rap game for a long time now since his days when he formed The Click. From making timeless singles such as "Sprinkle Me" and "Captain Save A Hoe" back in the mid 90's. Back in 2006, he hooked up with Lil Jon who help create the hyphy movement with the album My Ghetto Report Card, full of club ready material. What separated him from the rest of the Bay Area rappers who were on the hyphy movement was that 40 had rhymes, and showed that he was a veteran (in his forties I might add) and not an amateur in the rap game. Two years later he comes with his latest album Ball Street Journal, which sort of follows the same route as it's predecessor.



Not a whole lot has changed since his last album. It still has the hyphy sound that grew on me quite well here. Many tracks are easy standouts such as the opener "The Ambassador" (Rick Rock, you're a fool with those damn Digable Planets samples- see "Yay Area") and "Tell It Like It Is". The latter track shows 40's lyrical abilities over a Rick Rock bouncy track. 40 keeps up with The Game and Snoop Dogg on "Pain No More", another great track. Further down the album are tracks like "Sliding Down The Pole" thats well produced and features Oakland's own Too $hort. "I Can Sell It" featuring Cousin Fik is a clever song, thats well made. The final two tracks 40 colabs with family members B-Legit on the head nodding "Alcoholism". And at the end is the great "Pray For Me" featuring Bosko, B-Legit, and Suga-T (where has she been and when has she started singing, because she does a good job.)



Although many tracks are great, some of them just don't match the expectations that I had after coming from My Ghetto Report Card. Some of them lack quality as well as production (I know I wasn't a big fan of the lead single "Wake It Up" featuring Akon). The best tracks on here are when 40's lyrical abilities show, and doesn't concentrates on club tracks.



40's latest is dope. Some fans may not be happy with his hyphy movement style, and will question his quality of his music. If you're looking for a 2008 version of something like In a Major Way or Tha Hall of Game, you might want to stay away from this, because this will only anger further. But if you enjoyed My Ghetto Report Card, then this will fit you're enjoyment. Although it's a level lower in quality, is still worth hearing. Peace.



Lyrics: B

Production: B

Guest Appearances: B-

Musical Vibes: B



Top 5 Tracks:

1. The Ambassador

2. Pray For Me (featuring Bosko, B-Legit, and Suga-T)

3. Tell It Like It Is

4. Alcoholism (featuring B-Legit)

5. Got Rich Twice (featuring Turf Talk)



Honorable Mention:

1. Sliding Down The Pole (featuring Too $hort)

2. I Can Sell It (featuring Cousin Fik)









Note: Amazon's track listing is incorrect, here is the correct one:

1. The Ambassador

2. I'm On One

3. Break Ya Ankles (feat. Shawty Lo)

4. Got Rick Twice (feat. Turf Talk)

5. Pain No More (feat. The Game and Snoop Dogg)

6. Tell It Like It Is

7. Give Her The Keys (feat. T-Pain)

8. Hustle (feat. Turf Talk and R. City)

9. Wake It Up (feat. Akon)

10. 40 Water

11. Poor Man's Hydraulics

12. The Recipe (feat. Gucci Mane and Bun B)

13. Hard Boy

14. Earl (feat. Ice-T)

15. Sliding Down The Pole (feat. Too Short)

16. I Can Sell It (feat. Cousin Fik)

17. Big Time (feat. Kevin Cossom)

18 Alcoholism (feat. B-Legit)

19. Pray For Me (feat. Bosko, B-Legit, and Suga-T)"

Excellent

D. Pearson | Monterey, CA USA | 11/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a fantastic presentation showcasing Fonzarelli's talents. He continues with the bumping beats that help to make this a repeatable album for driving down the block or avenue with bass on high. "Give Her the Keys" with T-Pain is a playable hit and there are others that maintain a great beat as well.. Notably, "The Recipe", "I'm On One", and "Tell It Like It Is". I mean listen and gather your own favorites but overall this is a great release."

The Ambassador of Yay Returns for sure!

The Bricklayer | New Haven, CT USA | 03/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, so after E-40 came up with My Ghetto Report Card (which was an amazing album) people who are fans of Fonzarelli was waiting for his new album, and this was it. He's been around for over 20 years, and he's still showing he can rap, and that he still belongs in the game! Songs like The Ambassador, I Can Sell It, I'm on One, Got Rich Twice, Hustle, and my favorite...Tell It Like It Is, make this album one of his best all time! Some songs I dont like, like Recipe, Sliding Down the Pole, Big Time. But overall the great songs completely outweigh the bad stuff. He's comes with that genuine, Bay Area rapping, incorporating his own words (like he's always been so ingeniously) into his music, to really make him stand out, and stand alone. I honest feel like E-40 deserves way more credit than he receives in this rap game. Keep the music coming 40!!!"