Search - Eightball :: Lost (Clean)

Suave House Can't Lose; Eightball Strikes Hard Here

G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 12/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eightball finally releases a solo debut in 1998 with Lost. Suave Records released classic after classic in the 1990's, and even though this 2 disc set does have some filler (esp. in the second disc), there are so many dope joints still warranting a 5 star review. The production is hella phat with that smooth suave flava. What else you expect with a Suave record? Ball holds his own on the mic and his southern drawl and dope flow complement the beats well. There is a 3rd bonus disc with some Suave affiliated acts and underground homies, but I rarely listen to it, but it is o.k. As for the album, "My Homeboy's Girlfriend" is a dope story where his homie's girlfriend hits on him and they do it. He contemplates what's gonna go down if homey finds out. He tells a good story here. The beat is jazzy and sweet. "Stompin' And Pimpin'" is a sick space-boogie inflected G-Funk banger and MJG and Ball flex they mackin.' "Put Tha House" has a smooth overture too, with a Spanish guitar and a semi boom-bap like beat. He lets it be known that he can't be messed with with some harsh flows. Ball gets deep on joints like "If I Die" with a beautiful, if gloomy, keyboard ridden G-Funk beat. He wants the relentless hood cycle and mentality to stop. "Get Money" has an upbeat vibe to it and more of a mainstream feel with Busta Rhymes stoppin by and kickin some flows with 8Ball. I do not know if they work too well together, but the beat is cool. As for disc 2, there is more filler like the cool reggae vibin', but lyrically unneccesary "My First Love." Then he returns with a gangsta banger, "Get Bucked," with a classic, space boogie beat. "360" is a sick west-south collabo with E-40, Rappin' 4-Tay, Spice 1 and RnB hooksters Otis and Shug (I love those type of collabos), and the beat is produced by the legendary bay beatsmith, Ant Banks. The beat is vintage bay area, and all spit serious game. "Ball and Bun" is a sick rock n roll inflected banger with 8Ball and Bun B of U.G.K. kickin some mobbin street flava. "Coffee Shoppe" features Redman, who I am also a fan of. The simplistic beat is not my favorite, but both really spit hard here. A cool party joint with a nice lowrider G-Funk beat is "Put Your Hands Up" with homie MJG. "This Is Dedicated" is so smooth the disc may slip out the player. Phoenix Johnson gives some silky, sexy hook vocals, and Ball gets deep on the mic again droppin' philosophy. All in all, with a few fillers, this album is an essential for any hip-hop, rap head. The production is second to none, and 8Ball keeps droppin' sick rhymes. This rivals many of 8ball and MJG's duo classics too."

Eight-Muthaf***in'-Ball!!!!

Ice Cream Man | DC | 11/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ball does an excellent job of carrying an album on his own. I've been a big fan of him and G for years, and was suprised to hear how well Ball can hold it on his own. All the Suave fans will love this....a def. must have. Check it Out!!! PEACE"