Stalley Releases Long Awaited Debut Album Today

Music Group/Atlantic recording artist Stalley has announced the release of his hugely anticipated debut album. "OHIO" arrives everywhere today, October 28th.

"OHIO" is heralded by the new video, "Jackin' Chevys," which premiered yesterday exclusively at SPIN.com. As if that weren't enough, an additional album track, "Always Into Something (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)," debuted this morning.

"OHIO" which follows last year's acclaimed "HONEST COWBOY" EP sees Stalley paying homage to his beloved Buckeye State with a Midwestern hip-hop soundtrack like none other. To fully keep the flow local, the Massillon-based MC reached out to a number of his fellow Ohioans, including producer Rashad (of the Columbus-based Elev8tor Music), with whom he previously collaborated on 2011's breakthrough mixtape, "LINCOLN WAY NIGHTS." Furthermore, Stalley even enlisted legendary Cleveland-born photographer Jonathan Mannion known for his iconic work with such superstars as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Cleveland's own LeBron James to shoot the striking "OHIO" cover art.

"I'm at my audible and visual best! I've had my hands in every detail of this album, from the original artwork to production. 'OHIO' the album is a full representation of all things Midwest and paints the picture of where I'm from," says Stalley.

Known for his smooth delivery, sticky flow, and trademark beard, Stalley burst onto the Midwest hip-hop scene with a number of distinctive mixtapes before breaking out with 2011's "LINCOLN WAY NIGHTS." He signed with Maybach Music Group after a major bidding war, leading to high profile appearances on such label releases as MMG founder Rick Ross' 2012 blockbuster mixtape, "RICH FOREVER," and the RIAA gold certified, GRAMMY-nominated "GOD FORGIVES, I DON'T," as well as all three volumes of the massively popular "MMG PRESENTS: SELF MADE" series.

Stalley made his MMG/Atlantic label debut with 2013's "HONEST COWBOY" EP, released mere weeks after his MMG mixtape of the same name. Highlighted by such standout tracks as "Swangin' (Feat. Scarface)," "HONEST COWBOY" received a prestigious "Best Mixtape" nomination from BET's Hip Hop Awards 2013 and was hailed by such outlets as XXL, which declared it to be "ideal cruising music...an opportunity (for Stalley) to showcase his growth and ingenuity as a lyricist." In addition, PopMatters.com noted Stalley's "knack for balancing two sides of street and consciousness while always feeling genuine" and further praised "HONEST COWBOY" for offering "insight into Stalley's life while also being invited to breathe in the atmosphere of the Midwest that bleeds out of his music."

Additional critical acclaim and high profile features have appeared in such far-ranging publications as Rolling Stone, SPIN, XXL, Stereogum, and many others. More than just an MC, Stalley has also been declared an emblem of contemporary hip-hop style, earning him a role as spokesman for New Era Cap's national "Wear Your Allegiance" campaign.

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