My Balls and My Word
My Balls and My Word is the debut studio album by American rapper Young Bleed. It was released on January 20, 1998, through No Limit/Priority Records.[1] The production was handled by Happy Perez and Beats by the Pound,[2] with Master P and C-Loc serving as executive producers.[3] It features guest appearances from Lay-Lo, C-Loc, Master P, Lee Tyme, Lucky Knuckles, Fiend and Mystikal. The album was a success,[4] reaching number 10 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In March 1998,[5] the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.[6][7]
| My Balls and My Word | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 20, 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 57:19 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Young Bleed chronology | ||||
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| Singles from My Balls and My Word | ||||
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Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [8] |
| Chicago Tribune | [1] |
| Q | |
| RapReviews | 7/10[9] |
| The Source | [2] |
Soren Baker, writing for Chicago Tribune, said that "Young Bleed subtly and gently mocks the stereotype of laid-back Southerners." The journalist highlighted "thick bass lines", "rapid drum loops", and Young Bleed's vocal performance.[1] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic thought My Balls and My Word was a "conventional late-'90s gangsta record", criticizing it for its lack of originality.[8] Steve Juon of RapReviews viewed it as the label's compilation album, but believed that Young Bleed "elevates it substantially".[9] Similarly, Elliott Wilson of The Source magazine thought it was "more a family affair than a solo release", but believed that the rapper "fails to carry the weight without his friends". He commended the production, noting "slinky basslines, swirling keyboards and eerie strings".[2]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Keep It Real" (featuring C-Loc and Master P) | 4:15 | |
| 2. | "Bring the Noise" (featuring Master P and Mystikal) |
| 3:30 |
| 3. | "An Offer U Can't Refuse" | Happy Perez | 1:13 |
| 4. | "The Day They Make Me Boss" | Happy Perez | 5:10 |
| 5. | "Mo Money" (featuring Lay-Lo and Lucky Knuckles) | O'Dell | 3:37 |
| 6. | "Pull It Off" (featuring C-Loc, Lay-Lo, Lee Tyme and Lucky Knuckles) | Happy Perez | 4:53 |
| 7. | "Times So Hard" (featuring Master P, Fiend, Mo B. Dick and O'Dell) | Mo B. Dick | 3:58 |
| 8. | "How Ya Do That" (featuring Master P and C-Loc) |
| 4:31 |
| 9. | "Better Than Last Time" (featuring C-Loc and Max Minelli) | Happy Perez | 4:48 |
| 10. | "Lil Poppa Got a Brand New Bag" (featuring Max Minelli) | Happy Perez | 3:16 |
| 11. | "Confedi" (featuring C-Loc, Lee Tyme and Max Minelli) | Happy Perez | 5:02 |
| 12. | "Da Last Outlaw" | Happy Perez | 4:25 |
| 13. | "Ghost Rider" | Happy Perez | 3:22 |
| 14. | "We Don't Stop" (featuring Max Minelli) | Happy Perez | 5:22 |
| Total length: | 57:19 | ||
Personnel
- Glenn "Young Bleed" Clifton Jr. – main artist
- Steven "C-Loc" Carrell – guest artist (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 9, 11), executive producer
- Percy "Master P Miller – guest artist (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 8), executive producer
- Michael "Mystikal" Tyler – guest artist (track 2)
- Chad "Max Minelli" Roussel – guest artist (tracks: 5, 6, 9-11, 14)
- Lucky Knuckles – guest artist (tracks: 5, 6)
- J-Von – guest artist (tracks: 5, 6)
- Lee Tyme – guest artist (tracks: 6, 11)
- Richard "Fiend" Jones – guest artist (track 7)
- Raymond "Mo B. Dick" Poole – guest artist (track 7), producer (tracks: 2, 7)
- Odell Vickers Jr. – guest artist (track 7), producer (track 5)
- Nathan "Happy" Perez – producer (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8-14)
- Craig "KLC" Lawson – producer (tracks: 1, 2, 8)
- Craig Bazile – producer (track 2)
- Chad "Pimp C" Butler – producer (track 2)
- Pen & Pixel Graphics – artwork
- Omni Color – design
- Dave Weiner – A&R
- Duffy Rich – A&R
- Kevin Faist – A&R
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[5] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Baker, Soren (February 13, 1998). "Young Bleed My Balls and My Word". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
- Wilson, Elliott (March 1998). "Record Report: Young Bleed – My Balls and My Word". The Source. No. 102. New York. p. 190.
- Young Bleed (1998). My Balls and My Word (liner notes). No Limit Records/Priority Records. P2 50738.
- Drake, David (October 28, 2011). "Young Bleed: Preserved". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- "American album certifications – Young Bleed – MY BALLS AND MY WORD (ALL I HAVE IN THIS WORLD..)". Recording Industry Association of America.
- Ivey, Justin (February 28, 2017). "The New New: 12 Baton Rouge Rappers You Should Know". XXL. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- Arnold, Paul (October 11, 2011). "Young Bleed Talks Signing With Tech N9ne, His History With No Limit Records". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "My Balls & My Word Young Bleed". AllMusic. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- Juon, Steve 'Flash' (February 28, 2023). "Young Bleed :: All I Have In This World, Are… My Balls and My Word". RapReviews. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- "Young Bleed Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- "Young Bleed Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- "1998 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-38. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- "1998 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-50. Retrieved May 14, 2021.