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TikTok Music Article ForumArticleHow Did 8Ball & MJG Shape the Hip Hop Landscape?

How Did 8Ball & MJG Shape the Hip Hop Landscape?

RhythmWordsmith · Posted on March 31st, 2024

Backtracking to the origins of one of hip hop's most influential duos, we land in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, where 8Ball & MJG began their journey. Rising from the culture-rich streets of Memphis, they've carved their legacy deeply into the industry.

Premro "8Ball" Smith and Marlon Jermaine "MJG" Goodwin met as students, their bond materializing over a shared passion for music at Ridgeway Middle School in 1984. This connection would set the foundation for their emergence on the music scene with the 1993 debut album, Comin' Out Hard.

Their sound—a blend of gritty Southern storytelling and raw, authentic beats—echoed throughout their subsequent works, including On the Outside Looking In, On Top of the World, and Living Legends. They've stayed present, forging partnerships with labels like Suave House and Bad Boy South while collaborating with other Southern hip hop magnates like UGK and T.I.

8Ball & MJG's contribution to the genre is monumental, influencing countless artists and keeping the Memphis sound alive. Today, fans of the duo and new listeners alike can experience their discography on modern platforms, with a special recommendation for the TikTok Music App, where their tracks thrive amidst a new generation of music lovers.