Ten Toes Down
| Company type | Studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 4, 2010 |
| Founder | 8Ball & MJG |
| Products | Hip hop music |
| Parent | Grand Hustle Records, E1 Music |
Ten Toes Down represents the eighth full-length release from the American Southern hip-hop pair 8Ball & MJG. It was officially issued on May 4, 2010, through Grand Hustle Records in partnership with E1 Music.
The album's production roster features contributions from Drumma Boy, Nard & B, 1500 or Nothin', B-Don, Beat Billionaire, David Banner, Lil' C, Midnight Black, Mo B. Dick, Nitti, and Swizzo. Featured guest performances include appearances by Bun B, Lil' Boosie, Slim Thug, Soulja Boy, T.I., Young Dro, Mitchelle'l, and Ricco Barrino.
Upon release, the album entered the Billboard 200 chart at position 36. It also reached number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, number 5 on Top Rap Albums, and secured the sixth spot on the Independent Albums chart, moving 16,000 copies during its opening week in the United States.
Background
After issuing their seventh joint project Ridin High in 2007 via Bad Boy South, both artists ventured into solo work. 8Ball collaborated with Devius on The Vet & the Rookie and partnered with E.D.I. Mean for Doin' It Big. Meanwhile, MJG released two solo albums in 2008: Pimp Tight and This Might Be the Day.
In 2009, the duo inked a deal with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records. By January of the following year, they revealed that their upcoming album Ten Toes Down would be distributed under a new agreement between Grand Hustle and E1. The production lineup boasted names such as Drumma Boy, Nard & B, Nitti, and Mo B. Dick, while guest artists included T.I., Young Dro, David Banner, and Bun B.
On February 2, 2010, singles "Ten Toes Down" and "Bring It Back" were released; a music video for "Bring It Back," directed by Gabriel Hart, premiered on March 28. Although initially scheduled for an April 6 launch, the album’s release was deferred to May 4. Despite earlier intentions to feature Snoop Dogg, his contributions were ultimately omitted from the final tracklist.
Critical reception
Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews commended the duo for their unwavering commitment to their artistry and work ethic. M.T. Richards from Slant characterized the album as "an auditory parade of hip-hop monarchy." David Jeffries of AllMusic emphasized its nostalgic qualities, describing it as a "very good and familiar effort" following some editing. Conversely, Mitchell Hannah of HipHopDX critiqued the album's stagnation and influence from major label pressures but recognized its nostalgic appeal and acknowledged the duo’s sustained relevance after two decades.
Charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
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