Once Upon a Time in America (album)

Once Upon a Time in America
Studio album by Smoothe da Hustler
Released	March 19, 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	[1]
The Source	[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

Track listing

1. "Once Upon a Time" – 1:38
2. "Fuck Watcha 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

Fuck Whatcha Heard

• "Lover Man" by Grover Washington, Jr.

Dollar Bill

• "Walk on By" by Isaac Hayes

Broken Language

• "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations
• "The Message (Inspiration)" by Brass Construction

Food for Thoughts

• "I Am Love" by The Jackson 5

Hustler's Theme

• "Freddie's Dead" by Curtis Mayfield

Hustlin'

• "You're the One I Need" by Barry White

My Brother, My Ace

• "Taboo" by Impact

Dedication

• "No One's Gonna Love You" by S.O.S. Band

References

1. Rinaldi, Matt. Once Upon a Time in America at AllMusic
2. christian ex/BSX (April 1996). "Record Report: Smoothe da Hustler – Once Upon a Time in America". The Source. p. 83.
3. Garcia, Bobbito (March 2006). Bobbito Plays The Tracks, Heather Headley States The Facts (Paperback ed.). Vibe Magazine. p. 76. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
4. "Smoothe Da Hustler Interview". halftimeonline.net. Half Time. Retrieved 2016-03-08.