The south has been ruling the mainstream airwaves in hiphop for some time now with the triplet flow that was a mainstay in Memphis TN for some time but there was a more soulful brand of hiphop that was also a staple of the south that we hear even less than boombap in the mainstream these days and that is the almost modern blues infused sounds of Eightball and MJG. This guys burst on the scene in the 90s with a minimalist classic album called “coming out hard” with southern mainstay anthems like “mr big” on it. The production was simple synthesizer melody with 808s knock and 8 ball and mjg traded bars that covered stories about everyday hood living and stunting. They made a kind of working mans soulful hiphop that you could feel and stayed with you long after you turned the song off 8ball put a lot a spirit and meaning into each verse making you think about everything he said. For instance Mr Big was a story about a character meeting a drug kingpin and becoming that kingpin almost like a movie. MJG was the character the street dude with the pimpish flair adding a extra layer of grit to balance out the thoughtful bars 8 dropped they were a perfect combination and when their voice went away from the forefront hiphop was a lot worse for it.
Well now like so many other legendary acts lately 8ball and MJG have resurfaced with this new video for 2019 entitled “Take a Picture” and it picks up just where they left off. This is that soulful southern hiphop that multiple generations can vibe with the beat flips a patty labellle sample I believe to perfection with base knocking and 8ball and MJG kicking things off in style as only they can. This was so needed in the game and I am glad to hear it. ENJOY
