Once Upon a Time in America (album)

Once Upon a Time in America is the debut studio album by American rapper Smoothe da Hustler. It was released on March 19, 1996 via Profile Records. It was produced entirely by New York City-based producer DR Period with the exception of the song "Glocks On Cock", which was produced by Kenny Gee. It features guest appearances from Trigga tha Gambler, Kovon and DV Alias Khrist.

Once Upon a Time in America
Studio album by
Smoothe da Hustler
ReleasedMarch 19, 1996 (1996-03-19)
Recorded1994-95
StudioNexx Level Studios
GenreHip hop
Length55:36
LabelProfile
Producer
  • Ill Will Fulton (exec.)
  • DR Period
  • Kenny Gee
Smoothe da Hustler chronology
Once Upon a Time in America
(1996)		 Violenttimes Day
(2008)
Singles from Once Upon a Time in America
  1. "Broken Language / Hustlin'"
    Released: December 12, 1995
  2. "Dollar Bill / My Brother My Ace"
    Released: 1996
  3. "Hustler's Theme / Murdafest"
    Released: March 5, 1996
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Muzik[2]
The Source[3]

The album was met with positive reviews, but failed to sell well, only making it to 93 on the Billboard 200, while faring better on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, peaking at 11. The album produced three singles: "Broken Language" b/w "Hustlin'", "Dollar Bill" b/w "My Brother My Ace" and "Hustler's Theme" b/w "Murdafest". "Broken Language" was alleged to be the inspiration behind Heather Headley's 2002 song "He Is". In a 2006 Vibe interview with Bobbito Garcia, Headley noticed the similarities between the two songs.[4] In a 2006 interview, Smoothe da Hustler confirmed that the song's writer and producer asked him for permission to use the cadence for "Broken Language" and there was a remix of "He Is" with Headley, but the song was never officially released.[5]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Once upon a Time"
1:38
2."Fuck Whatcha Heard" (featuring Trigga tha Gambler)
5:13
3."Dollar Bill" (featuring D.V. Alias Khrist)
  • D. Smith
  • Kenneth Scranton
  • Pittman
5:00
4."Glocks on Cock"
  • D. Smith
  • Kenny Glanton
3:54
5."Broken Language" (featuring Trigga tha Gambler)
  • D. Smith
  • T. Smith
  • Pittman
3:53
6."Speak My Peace"
  • D. Smith
  • Pittman
0:50
7."Neva Die Alone"
  • D. Smith
  • Pittman
4:52
8."Food for Thoughts"
  • D. Smith
  • Pittman
3:37
9."Family Conflicts"
  • D. Smith
  • Pittman
1:06
10."Only Human" (featuring Kovon)
  • D. Smith
  • Pittman
4:29
11."Hustler's Theme" (featuring Kovon)
5:10
12."Murdafest" (featuring Trigga tha Gambler and D.V. Alias Khrist)
  • D. Smith
  • Scranton
  • Pittman
3:57
13."Hustlin'"
  • D. Smith
  • Pittman
4:24
14."My Brother My Ace" (featuring Trigga tha Gambler)
  • D. Smith
  • T. Smith
  • Pittman
3:20
15."Dedication" (featuring Kovon)
4:13
Total length:55:36
Sample credits[6]

Personnel
  • Damon Smith – main artist
  • Tawan Smith – featured artist (tracks: 2, 5, 12, 14)
  • Kenneth "D.V. Alias Khrist" Scranton – featured artist (tracks: 3, 12)
  • Dawn Tallman – additional vocals (track 7)
  • Kovon – featured artist (tracks: 10, 11, 15)
  • Darryl Pittman – producer (tracks: 1-3, 5-15), arranger, mixing, engineering
  • Kenny Glanton – producer (track 4)
  • William Broady – executive producer
  • Randy Battiste – mixing
  • D. Noize – engineering
  • Low Mid – engineering
  • Tony Dawsey – mastering
  • Hope Carr – sample clearance
  • Carla Leighton – art direction, design
  • Daniel Hastings – photography
  • Will Montanez – stylist

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[7] 93

References
  1. Rinaldi, Matt. "Once Upon a Time in America - Smoothe Da Hustler | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  2. Poulton, Sonia (April 1996). "Smoothe The Hustler: Once Upon A Time In America" (PDF). Muzik. No. 11. p. 100. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  3. Christian ex/BSX (April 1996). "Record Report: Smoothe da Hustler – Once Upon a Time in America". The Source. p. 83.
  4. Garcia, Bobbito (March 2006). Bobbito Plays The Tracks, Heather Headley States The Facts (Paperback ed.). Vibe Magazine. p. 76. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  5. "Smoothe Da Hustler Interview". halftimeonline.net. Half Time. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  6. "Smoothe Da Hustler - Samples, Covers and Remixes". WhoSampled. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  7. "Billboard 200: May 4, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
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