Released in 1995, Eightball & MJG’s On Top of the World is more than just a classic album; it is a foundational text of Southern Hip-Hop. This third studio album from the Memphis duo solidified their status as pioneers, taking the distinct sound they cultivated in the Orange Mound neighborhood and launching it onto the national stage. While often overshadowed in mainstream narratives, the album’s impact—from its syrupy beats to its gritty storytelling—remains undeniable, a fact recently underscored by their significant 2024 honors in their hometown.

The album’s success was a powerful declaration that the South had arrived, proving that hip-hop’s center of gravity was shifting away from the coasts. Today, in late 2024, the legacy of Eightball (Premro Smith) and MJG (Marlon Goodwin) is being celebrated with a well-deserved street renaming in Memphis, cementing their place not just in music history, but in the physical landscape of their community.

Eightball & MJG: The Pioneers' Full Biography Profile

Eightball & MJG, often recognized as the South’s first rap superstars, formed a partnership that defined an era of regional hip-hop. They met as young teens at Ridgeway Middle School in 1984, forging a bond that would lead to a legendary career.

• Eightball (Premro Vonzellaire Smith):
  • Born: 1972
  • Origin: Orange Mound, Memphis, Tennessee
  • Role: Rapper, known for his laid-back, smooth flow and deep, introspective lyricism.
• MJG (Marlon Goodwin):
  • Origin: Orange Mound, Memphis, Tennessee
  • Role: Rapper and Producer, known for his more aggressive, rapid-fire delivery and sharp, vivid street narratives.
• Duo History: The pair released their debut album, Comin' Out Hard, in 1993 on the Houston, Texas-based independent label Suave House Records. This partnership with Suave House and its founder, Tony Draper, was crucial to their early success and distribution.
• Recent Honors (2024): The duo was honored with a street renaming ceremony in their home neighborhood of Orange Mound, Memphis, cementing their legacy in September 2024.

The 5 Enduring Pillars of the 'On Top of the World' Album

Released on October 31, 1995, On Top of the World was a commercial and critical breakthrough, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was a perfect storm of polished production and authentic Memphis grit, making it an essential listen for any fan of 90s hip-hop.

1. Defining the 'Pimp' Aesthetic and Storytelling

The album is perhaps best known for the single "Pimp In My Own Rhyme," a track that epitomized the slick, confident, and unapologetic persona that Eightball & MJG brought to the forefront of Southern rap. This wasn't just bravado; it was a form of gritty storytelling that detailed life from their perspective in Orange Mound. The track laid the groundwork for countless future Southern artists who would adopt a similar narrative style, focusing on themes of ambition, luxury, and street wisdom.

2. The Groundbreaking Suave House Sound

The sonic landscape of On Top of the World was revolutionary. Executive produced by Tony Draper and featuring production coordination by Jame Endsley, the album introduced a signature sound that was heavy on deep basslines, smooth, syrupy synths, and soulful samples—a sound that would become synonymous with the Houston and Memphis connection. This sound, often credited with laying the blueprint for what would later evolve into crunk and trap music, was distinctly Southern and undeniably infectious.

3. Collaboration That Bridged the Coasts

One of the album's most pivotal tracks is the title cut, "Top Of The World," featuring West Coast legend E-40. This collaboration was significant for its time, demonstrating the duo's growing influence and their ability to connect disparate regional scenes. The inclusion of E-40, known for his unique Bay Area slang and flow, helped elevate the album's national profile and proved that Southern artists could hold their own alongside established West Coast heavyweights.

4. The Iconic Pen & Pixel Graphics Artwork

The album’s visual presentation is as iconic as its music. The cover was designed by Pen & Pixel Graphics, Inc., a Houston-based company whose distinct, over-the-top, diamond-encrusted, and airbrushed aesthetic became the visual signature for a generation of Southern rap albums. The artwork for On Top of the World perfectly captured the album’s themes of success and opulence, making it instantly recognizable and a classic piece of hip-hop visual history.

5. A Timeless Tracklist and Deep Cuts

Beyond the singles, the album is packed with deep cuts that showcase the duo’s lyrical depth. Tracks like "What Can I Do," "Funk Mission," and "In The Line Of Duty" explore themes of loyalty, struggle, and the complexities of street life, maintaining a high level of quality throughout the 17-track project. The album’s length and consistency set a standard for ambitious Southern releases, proving that the South was capable of delivering expansive, cohesive, and classic bodies of work.

The Undeniable 2024 Legacy: Cementing a Place in Memphis History

While the album is nearly three decades old, its influence continues to resonate, and the duo’s legacy has never been more visible. In a major and long-overdue sign of respect, 8Ball & MJG were honored in September 2024 with a street renaming in their beloved Orange Mound neighborhood.

This civic honor is a testament to their impact, not just as musicians, but as cultural ambassadors for Memphis, Tennessee. It acknowledges that their "gritty storytelling style" and "syrupy beats" did more than just sell records; they gave a voice to a community and helped lay the groundwork for a global genre.

The success of On Top of the World paved the way for countless artists who followed, from the Houston scene to Atlanta’s rise. It remains a crucial piece of the puzzle, a snapshot of the moment when Southern rap stopped looking in from the outside and truly claimed its spot at the pinnacle of hip-hop culture. For those looking to understand the roots of the modern Southern sound, revisiting the remastered audio of the Candy Paint Edition Reissue of this 1995 classic is essential.