AWALL

Buck City. The Gulf Coast town formerly known as Biloxi. Amidst the ruins of a storm-torn region struggling to rebuild itself, its economy and its way of life comes the emergence of a post-crunk musical blend of Hip Hop swagga, survival and pain. What or who Katrina didn’t take, catz at ground level took the remaining pieces and brought forth a dual and nuanced ‘get buck but feel my pain’ rhyme style specific to the casino-clad city where folks flock to take their last chance and let the dice roll where they may.

Re-enter Antonio Wallace, the former hustla and local legend known as AWALL after a seven-year bid with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. His reputation as both a die-hard hustla and a musical phenom precede him as he steps back into the streets and into the notorious West End Projects that grew him, hardened him and ultimately paved the way for his lengthy incarceration.

But this time ‘round, the multitalented rap vocalist is looking to flip prison bars into sixteen bars with appropriately titled debut projects that reflect the hard-knock plight of a musical prodigy come full circle. On Prison Bars, AWALL rhythmically recounts a life of hustling, banging and incarceration with a gritty, non-glorified reflection characteristic of one who’s actually lived it. The project touts such representative singles as the title track while also offering the haunting, melodic introspection of “Can’t Stop Living Wrong.”

“Prison ain’t nothing to brag about… you just got to keep your mind busy,” offers the 26 year-old as he recalls a life-altering incident behind bars. “One day, I was put in the hole for inciting a riot. It was crazy… but I just came up with this song called Penny with a Hole in It… that’s when everything just took off.”

Next thing you know, continues AWALL, “I’m doing shows for the guards and stopping bangers from kicking off just by spittin’ some real shit.”

“I done saved a whole lot of lives.”

Released is a mesmerizing mix of joy and pain as AWALL addresses his return to the Biloxi streets, the post-release death of his mother, and the celebration of his musical rebirth. The project peaks with the undeniable “G’d Up,” a breakout single of anthemic proportions that most represents the sound of The Coast, a kind of Buck City bravado geared to establish the region as the next rap mecca for southern Hip Hop.

With Prison Bars and Released, the scene is set for the former legendary hustla known as Antonio Wallace to reclaim his streets, this time dishin’ rhymes instead of rock, as all eyez turn toward Buck City. For in the casino-controlled town whose primary game is game, AWALL is the emerging king of the rhyme hustlas.

And you’d be pressin’ your luck to bet against him.