Description
8Ball & MJG – Ridin’ High – Double Vinyl Records
8Ball & MJG – Ridin’ High, released on March 13, 2007, is the eighth studio album by the veteran Southern rap duo 8Ball & MJG, and it stands as both a celebration of their legacy and a bold attempt to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving hip-hop landscape. Coming out during a time when Southern rap—particularly crunk, trap, and snap music—was dominating mainstream radio, Ridin’ High finds 8Ball & MJG navigating these currents while still anchoring themselves in the gritty, lyrical Memphis sound that made them Southern rap pioneers in the 1990s.
The album features high-profile collaborations and production credits that reflect their ties to Bad Boy South, the Southern branch of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records. As executive producer, Diddy’s influence is felt in the album’s polish and commercial ambition, but 8Ball & MJG retain their identity with their streetwise storytelling, slow-flow confidence, and Southern wisdom. Their chemistry remains intact, with 8Ball’s laid-back delivery and MJG’s rapid-fire precision complementing each other as always.
Standout tracks include:
“Relax and Take Notes” – featuring Notorious B.I.G. (via a sampled verse) and Project Pat, this track mixes classic East Coast nostalgia with Southern flair, and serves as a reminder of the duo’s lyrical pedigree.
“Runnin’ Out of Bud” – a smooth, funk-influenced smoker’s anthem that feels more in line with their earlier records, offering a laid-back groove and reflective verses.
“Cruzin’” – a radio-friendly cut with R&B leanings, showcasing their versatility and appeal beyond hardcore Southern hip-hop fans.
“Take It Off” (featuring Pimp C & Yung Joc) – a club-ready banger that bridges old-school UGK swagger with mid-2000s ATL energy.
Production throughout the album comes from heavy hitters like DJ Toomp, Jazze Pha, and Lil Jon, blending heavy bass, synth stabs, and snapping snares with touches of G-funk smoothness and classic Southern soul. This results in a sound that feels modern for its time but still grounded in 8Ball & MJG’s roots in Memphis rap and Southern storytelling.
While Ridin’ High wasn’t their most critically acclaimed release, it was a commercially successful and culturally significant effort, debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200 and reinforcing their influence during the height of the Dirty South’s mainstream takeover. The album proved that 8Ball & MJG could still ride alongside the new wave of Southern artists without compromising their seasoned, unflashy lyrical style.
Ridin’ High is a solid late-career entry for the duo—a record that blends OG credibility with mainstream savvy. It may not have had the raw innovation of their earlier classics like Comin’ Out Hard or On Top of the World, but it demonstrated their enduring presence in the game and helped bridge the gap between generations of Southern hip-hop.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Intro
Relax And Take Notes
Ridin’ High
Turn Up The Bump
Cruzin’
Whatchu Gonna Do
30 Rocks
Blow Job (Interlude) 1:33
Hickory Dickory Dock
Runnin’ Out Of Bud
Clap On
Alcohol, Pussy & Weed
Pimpin’ (Interlude)
Pimpin’ Don’t Fail Me Now
Worldwide
Take It Off
Memphis
Get Low
Stand Up
