With partner MJG, Houston-based rapper Eightball has long enjoyed modest success with a Southern grassroots hip-hop style. The release of his first solo album, Lost--a grand coming-out party featuring big-name guests, sprawled over three CDs--finds him on the verge of becoming a rap megastar. But, as is the case with many multidisc studio releases, more music does not necessarily make a better record. A canny editor could've made Lost a solid single CD, though Eightball--an average rhymer upstaged by guests like Goodie Mob and Busta Rhymes--might've been cut entirely in the process. As is, two discs give Eightball time to cover all the usual (and, frankly, mostly tired) street topics, as well as offer bits of social commentary and spirituality and still leave time for a whole bonus CD featuring tracks by friends and labelmates. --Roni Sarig
Entertainment Weekly
[T]he long-winded rapper wisely relies on guests like Master P, Redman, and Busta Rhymes to keep things moving.
Editorial Reviews
I love 8Ball (but I like MJG better), and I raced out to buy this album. Unfortunately, like most double albums, there is a lot of filler and tracks indistinguishable from each other. But the album is worth keeping because of "Pure Uncut" (with 504 Boys and Psyco Drama) and "Backyard Mississippi" (with Goodie MoB). Oh yeah, and also "Ball and Bun" with Bun-B and "My Homeboy's Girlfriend", which showcases 8's stroytelling skills. This album is by no means wack, but after having over two hours of music with only four standout songs is cause for concern. Comment | Permalink | (Report this)
