My Bass Rocks

Months ago I went to a Wale show out at Mezzanine, and opening up for him was my new favorite duo Blu & Exile.  The group I came with was more so into the headliner, but I’d heard too many great things about Exile on the MPC and Blu on the mic to be swayed.  Plus, the best hip-hop album I’d heard in years Below the Heavens was still getting heavy rotation.

Their set was incredible, managing to hit nearly every track on their debut, which was a dope thing to see.  But just as they were about to call it a wrap, this little guy comes running out (ala Phife Dawg at every De La Soul show I’ve ever been to), and starts spitting with a vengeance.  I mean, this dude came onstage with a purpose, and that purpose was to rock the crowd.  In my many years of going to shows, it’s pretty obvious who carries the weed in the group, and who runs shit.  This guy was definitely in charge of the stage, no question about that.

After about 2 songs from this unknown rapper, he belts out “My name is Fashawn…Buy my upcoming album Boy Meets World, entirely produced by this man here (*points at Exile*).”   I was sold.  Just like that, my anticipation for his debut LP started.

Continue on for a full review..

It’s been a while since a new artist grabbed my attention like this from the gate.  Shortly after hearing Fashawn live, tracks from his LP with Exile slowly started making their way online.  After a first listen, it seemed that dude was a direct reflection of the golden era.  Not the early boom bap sound, but more in line with the New York gutter style rap, made famous by Nasty Nas and Raekwon from the early 90’s.  The drop date continued to fluctuate, but I kept this upcoming release in the back of my head for the better half of 2009.

A couple weeks back Boy Meets World finally released, and I snagged a copy with the quickness.  Before realizing it, I had listened to the entire project 3 times in a row over the span of my work day…My initial reaction was that this album is absolutely perfect by all standards.  Clever and concise rhymes, soulful sample chopping and song construction, diverse topics, and one word that has regularly lacked from hip-hop for some time: QUALITY.

This album is a classic. The sure sign that an album will stand the test of time is replay quality, which this album is stacked with.  Honestly, unlike any album this year, it gets better with each play.  While Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 is a close second, there is nothing like Boy Meets World this year…Maybe even within the past 5 years.

Plus, there are zero throwaway tracks throughout.  Like any album, there are obvious standouts, so in order of personal favorites here it goes:

“Lupita”

“Our Way (feat. Evidence)”

“Samsonite Man (feat. Blu)”

“Life As A Shorty”

“Stars (feat. Aloe Blacc)”

“Ecology”

Dissecting each track in an attempt to grade the whole thing is doing the album a disservice.  I don’t want to come off as over-hyping Fashawn or anything, but there is a definite similarity between this LP and Illmatic.  He’s very similar in style (potent, meaningful lyrics, etc.), and his debut is nothing short of groundbreaking for a new artist…Let’s not forget about Exile either.  This “underground” producer is absolutely KILLING it right now.  Within the past 2 years he’s dropped 2 seamless collaborations (and MBR certified classics), which is a feat that hasn’t been completed since Gang Starr or Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth.

Bottom line, this is what good hip-hop sounds like.  No filler, unnecessary guest appearances, or obvious radio singles.  Fashawn is my new favorite MC, and I will be following his career closely from here on out.  Props to everyone behind this project, and thank you for making a new artist exciting again.

Overall: 10 (out of 10)