★★★★★
Rick Ross and De La Soul don't seem to belong in the same sentence, much less on the same LP. Yet there they are, the gangsta and the backpackers, practically bookending burgeoning Midwest MC Stalley's studio debut, . But Stalley isn't torn between those polar opposites on this release. Rather, is thoroughly thuggish; early cut "What It Be Like" is a standard chest-thumper with some clever lines...
- exclaim.ca
2014-10-25
★★★★★
The Massillon, Ohio native may not have an official debut album on the shelves yet, but it hardly matters. Stalley has quickly gained a fanbase over the last three years by releasing album-quality mixtapes with original production. His third entry, Honest Cowboy, continues in the footsteps of Lincoln Way Nights and Savage Journey to the American Dream. Honest Cowboy brings a familiar, laid-back Stalley over smooth production with heavy bass, perfect for showing off your sound system...
- www.popmatters.com
2013-09-07
★★★★★
Like Maybach Music labelmate Wale, Stalley's experienced an odd and ever-transitional rise to what counts for relevance in hip-hop's modern, internet-dominated culture. Originally that dude from Ohio with the Freeway beard, most came to know him from video campaigns on popular hip-hop blogs that led to linking up with Curren$y and Dame Dash back in 2009 when the DD172 project seemed more like rapper heaven than another Dame Dash cash for gold scheme...
- www.popmatters.com
2012-05-10
★★★★★
Stalley takes us on a journey with his latest. With appearances from Wale, Curren$y, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and 2 Chainz, the Ohio MC keeps to his BCG (Blue Collar Gang) roots while still managing to deliver his signature Midwest sound. While Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music) will forever go down as one of Stalley's early crowning jewels, Savage Journey to the American Dream keeps the bar high without losing its identity, especially with the roster of features on this project...
- exclaim.ca
2012-05-03
★★★★★
Rick Ross has a fascinating habit of signing rappers with infinitely less charisma and presence than himself. How else to explain his attraction to workhorses like Stalley? The talented but decidedly dazzle-averse Ohio rapper traffics in straight-ahead sincerity, rapping entirely in pained, vague clichés about making it through struggles, staying free of temptation, and striving for success...
- pitchfork.com
2012-04-19
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