Lil Black’s On The Road Again EP was used to promote his 2001 album of the same title. Austin, Texas country rapper Lil Black released the On The Road Again EP on CD format in 2000 with 10 tracks. The EP was a blazing hit with country fans and rap fans as his EP sold out in weeks. An example of country rap is this album right here. Think country meets rap. On The Road Again was one of the best EPs to drop from the Austin Hip Hop/Rap scene from 2000.
For those who don't know, Lil Black (known as Nathan Mackey Jr.) was raised in Elgin, a small country town outside of Austin, Texas. He has had 2 records on the "Texas Artist Top 40 Countdown" back in 2000 and 2001 as well as holding down the number 1 spot for 5 straight weeks with Back On The Road being Song of the Year for 2000.
For those of you who are from Austin, you all may remember that Lil Black had told the story of his life story and how he shamed his family by choosing the street life over religion in the Austin American Statesman front page in 2001. He made news from 1999 to 2001.
The album has the famous Willie Nelson song On The Road which they both collaborated on. Willie Nelson and Lil Black had done a cover version which had helped boosted Lil Black’s popularity both in 2000 and 2001. This is the most famous well-known song off the album that is notable.
On The Road Again was #79 when it first hit the charts back in 2001 eventually falling to #81. Lil Black was one of the first few Austin Hip Hop/Rap artists to hit the BillBoard. (Minus Tee Double and Papa Chuk along with others.) Back On The Road was chosen by White Brotha on KAZI FM as a Song of the Year for 2000. On The Road Again was listed on the "Texas Artist Top 40 Countdown" back in 2000 and 2001 as well as holding down the number 1 spot for 5 straight weeks.
Call It Like I See is where Lil Black calls things as he sees them. Not only does he do that, but he also calls out the haters in his lyrics. He uses a country twang and drawl in vocals when he raps on this song.
Lil Black was blowing up from the success of his On The Road single. People in the ATX were hating on Lil Black because of his success. They were mad and jealous. However the hate died down in 2001 after the cover song of On The Road Again became a success. People couldn’t stop him despite his legal troubles. Lil Black believes that his growth and maturity as an artist’s time has come.
Lil Black is not fronting like the rest. He is for real. Lil Black and his record company Big Baby Records had signed a distribution deal with Street Pride Records, Select-O-Hits, and CD Baby for $10,000 dollars back in 2000. It was a big deal during the new millennium. Tim Bailey (Big Baby) Co-CEO and producer for Big Baby Records gave Lil Black a $100,000 dollar signing bonus.
Game Don't Stop explains the risks of the drug game. Part of being in the drug game is doing criminal activity, being a dealer, being a businessman, and drugs of course. It’s all about making moves in the game. The hustle never stops. So you have to keep your hustle on.
Game Don't Stop uses a punchy organ to give the song its liveliness and prowess. The beats are loud and the bass is thumping. S.T. Baby sings on the background vocals during the chorus.
People thought shit was over when they called on Lil Black. But shit has just begun. The game does not stop. Time stops for no one regardless of age and race. You have to keep your hustle on. Lil Black ain’t with being broke. He’s tired of living this life that’s based on hope. People roam the streets with firearms to get cash.
The only love he gets is from the streets. The streets is where Lil Black used to make his living and how he got money. He’d rather take his chances and deal with the outcome. Lil Black is bound by honor. So you can keep all your opinions and advice. People said Lil Black went commercial and he does not use the same sound as before. The only thing that changed is that Lil Black is no longer rolling with CKC. (CKC is Ciller Klan Clic.)
The lyrics, “You said I went commercial and Lil Black ain’t the same/but still I’m that nigga that brought you Can I Maintain” are a reference to his first album from 1996 called Lil Black & CKC - Dark Territory. That was the album that had 4 songs on it. The songs were Can I Maintain, Droppin’ Bombs, Gangstaz, and It’s Yo Cap Peeler.
Lil Black is stronger than he’s ever been. Big Baby is riding with him. Lil Black shows growth and maturity. Bar none. Fade all. His gat is guaranteed to make people fall. He separated himself from people he used to associate himself with.
Lil Black reminds us he is as good as it gets on the song As Good as It Gets. Success is only as good as it gets.
Lil Black has a bank account full of big faces and money longer than the Mississippi River. Flights to different cities and foreign places. He bought a 7 figure crib. Plus the Bentley convertible. Lil Black is the same person. He doesn’t forget where he came from. People are jealous of his success and how much money he has. They’d rather see him broke living in the projects. Haters hate to see him get ahead in life. Lil Black reminds us he’s as good as it gets.
The projects Lil Black is referring to are the Goodrich Projects located in South Austin. He lived over there from 1996 to 1999. This was when he was still in the CKC group. (CKC is Ciller Klan Clic.)
Before he had money, he was cool with everybody. No enemies and no drama. Just as soon as he started seeing success from rap music is when people started hating on him. They didn’t just hate on Lil Black for his music. They were mainly hating on his success. Trying to compete with Lil Black will have you on your back. This ain’t no place for the weak because Lil Black is as good as it gets. Lil Black is the greatest thing since the automobile.
Lil Black and Bay Area rapper & legend Too Short (Too $hort) go on a late night creep as they are out for a one night stand on One Night Stand. They aren’t looking for any real love or any long-term relationships.
Now this is the song that calms down the mood of this album. The melodic tunes and groovy synths are what give this song a calming mood. Not to mention melodic. Big Bailey can do no wrong whenever it comes to production or singing.
Throw'em Up has that upbeat bounce music sound you would expect to hear from Louisiana rap. Lil Black and Tim Bailey used a different musical style for this song. Tim Bailey produced the bouncy beats.
I rate this EP 5/5*****!!
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