Once Upon a Time in America (album)

Once Upon a Time in America
Studio album by Smoothe da Hustler
Released	April 16, 1996
Recorded	1994-1995 Nexx Level Studios, NYC
Genre	Hip hop
Length	55:36
Label	Profile
Producer	DR Period, Kenny Gee
Smoothe da Hustler chronology
Once Upon a Time in America (1996) Violenttimes Day (2008)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

Once Upon a Time in America is the debut album by rapper Smoothe da Hustler. It was released on March 19, 1996 through Profile Records and was entirely produced by New York City-based producer DR Period with the exception of the song "Glocks On Cock", which was produced by newcomer Kenny Gee.

The album was met with positive reviews, but failed to sell well, only making in to 93 on the Billboard 200, while faring better on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, peaking at 11. The album produced two singles, "Hustler's Theme" and "Broken Language".

The latter single was alleged to be the inspiration behind Heather Headley's 2003 song "He Is". In a 2006 Vibe Magazine interview with Bobbito Garcia, Headley noticed the similarites between the two songs.^[1] 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.^[2]

Track listing

1. "Once Upon a Time" – 1:38
2. "Fuck Wutcha Heard" – 5:13
3. "Dollar Bill" – 5:00
4. "Glocks On Cock" – 3:54
5. "Broken Language" – 3:53
6. "Speak My Peace" – :50
7. "Neva Die Alone" – 4:52
8. "Food for Thoughts" – 3:37
9. "Family Conflicts" – 1:06
10. "Only Human" – 4:29
11. "Hustler's Theme" – 5:10
12. "Murdafest" – 3:57
13. "Hustlin'" – 4:24
14. "My Brother My Ace" – 3:20
15. "Dedication" – 4:13

Samples

• "Hustler's Theme"
  • "Freddie's Dead" by Curtis Mayfield
• "Dedication"
  • "No One's Gonna Love You" by S.O.S. Band
• "Food For Thoughts"
  • "I Am Love" by The Jackson 5
• "Fuck Whatcha Heard"
  • "Lover Man" by Grover Washington Jr.
• "Broken Language"
  • "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations
  • "The Message (Inspiration)" by Brass Construction
• "Dollar Bill"
  • "Walk on By" by Isaac Hayes
• "Hustlin'"
  • "You're The One I Need" by Barry White
• "My Brother, My Ace"
  • "Taboo" by Impact

References

1. Garcia, Bobbito (March 2006). Bobbito Plays The Tracks, Heather Headley States The Facts (Paperback ed.). Vibe Magazine. p. 76. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
2. "Smoothe Da Hustler Interview". halftimeonline.net. Half Time. Retrieved 2016-03-08.