Words by T.C.
John “Fabolous” Jackson must have had one hell of a nap. Its been nearly 3 years since his last album, and in the words of his legendary Brooklyn brethren B.I.G: “Things Done Changed”. Mixtape oriented rappers have flooded the market and the punchline heavy style that allowed Fab to make his niche, has now become the norm. Which is why his latest LP From Nothin’ To Somethin’ only steams in opposed to sizzling. While we still get glimpses of the guy who made us “Can’t Deny It” that one tragic Tuesday (September 11th for those who only copped The Blueprint), he ends up just sounding like the rest of em’.
Ironically, its the edgier Fabolous that wins this time around. Mostly known to make the better material for the ladies, Fab directs the heat for the streets, systems and night clubs. The radiant organs coupled with Junior Reid’s Rasta supremacy makes “Gangsta Don’t Play” the perfect post-up anthem for the summer. Over Steve Morales’ frenzied collage of sonic soundscapes, Fab recruits Young Jeezy to help him master the art of materialism on “Diamonds”. The bare bones posse cut “This Is Family” oozes with East Coast grit that’s been noticeably absent from New York releases as of late. And while Fabolous sprinkles his witty punchlines throughout the album on occasion, he never does it without assistance—-as displayed on the creative comedy cut “Jokes On You” (featuring Pusha T) – thus making him more liability than controller of his craft.
The Achilles’ heel of From Nothin’ To Somethin’ is undoubtedly the saturation of R&B tracks. Apparently Fabolous maximized his recording budget because he managed to snag every singer who’s been charting albums this year, most of the time just for the sake of it. Even though Akon’s eerie melody on “Change Up” supplies the knock, Fab’s hollow bars and the repetitive chorus make him sound like a guest on his own song. Rihanna comes along for the ride on “First Time” to help Fabolous pass out cupcakes. And T-Pain supplies the hook over Jermaine Dupri’s caramelized fairy dust on “Baby Don’t Go” where Fab sheepishly spits “We break up to make up at Jacob’s, baby/I’m paying for it too/I’m the make-up baby…” Mozzarella.
Stickin’ to the script is nothing new for an established artist with moderate success, and Fabolous is no exception. The traditional tales of baller-meets-dime-to-make-it-work are his forte, but maybe some exploration into his character would’ve fared better. His recent shooting incident, gun charges, and real life love life aren’t touched on either, making him just another face in a rap style he helped popularize several years ago. Ultimately, he gives us a whole lot of Somethin’ when he’s really saying Nothin’.
Fabolous – From Nothin’ To Somethin’
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For more info, check Fabolous’ official Def Jam site or www.myspace.com/fabolous.
Previous Smoking Sessions With Fabolous.
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Stray Shots
Lil_Wyte-The_One_And_Only-2007
Dan Johns – In The Face of Danger -2007
VA-DJ_Premier-Rare_And_Unreleased_Joints_Vol.1-(Vinyl)[2007]
DJ_Premier-Prime_Cuts_Vol._1_(Import)-2CD-2003
VA-DJ_Premier_Signature_Sounds_Vol.1-2CD-2004
Beastie_Boys-The_Mix_Up-Advance-2007 [Instrumental Album]
Hieroglyphics-Over_Time-2007
Macy Gray – Big [2007]
VA-Promo_Only_Urban_Club_July-2CD-2007
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6.04.07…It’s Coming. Respect Our Fresh
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That new FABO is thumpin, find LOSO on the remix to BUBBLING @ http://www.aspektz.com
REQUEST IT ON YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATION TODAY
THANK YOU for putting up the new fab. I been bumping it ever since you first put it up non stop. Him and Joe Budden are like 2 out of my Top 5 rappers. :)
that new lil wyte is complete garbage. what a fuckin let down that was. only three features and they’re all project pat on the hook. Compared to his last two cd’s…this shit is WACK!
Co-sign.
beats kinda generic, but expensive, raps legit. fab did his thing hear; one of his best records (at least better than last). is it just me or is ‘return of the hustle’ hot as fuck? kinda reminds me of t.i. for some reason–in a good way. akon track is also surprising, as is ‘gangsta don’t play.’
although fab likes to keep it r&b heavy, there’s some n.y. gangsta shit in here, this makes this album legit.
‘diamonds’ is not a bad single. ‘brooklyn,’ with hova, is hard too. this album, although a mixed bag, and sounding a bit dated as far as subject matter and sounds, is better than most shit coming out. bump this shit!
Ps. I was Co-Sign William H. Bonny (Fab), not the dissin of Lil Wyte. I don’t think I even listened to a whole song by him. Maybe “I Sho Will”.
You nailed it on the Fab alubm, as it is much of the same from him. He was niether introspective or willing to do something different. There was too many R&B tracks, and yes, from all these hit makers: Akon/Rihanna/T-Pain/Lloyd. Plus he had only two tracks by himself. It was a decent album and the beats are pretty damn good all the way around but the punchlines are glaring (not in the best way).
Ouch T.C.! While the album definitely wasn’t great, I don’t think it was that bad.
One of the first things that I noticed before even listening to it was the amount of guest stars. I think the reason why The Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt were Jay’s best albums was because of so few guest appearances. The same can be said about Nas and Illmatic.
Also, there was definitely a few tracks that the album could’ve done without.
Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think everyone else was hoping to get the Fab that we heard on the Loso’s Way Mixtapes… I’m a little disappointed, but surprisingly satisfied w/ the few hot joints he did give us this time around.
I’m on the fence with this one.
It pretty much is a 3 Mic album no matter how U look at it Doug. While there’s something on there for everybody, he’s pretty much just trying to do just that and U can hear in his flow that his heart isn’t fully into it. No evolution whatsoever and I think hate him, like him, or love him, we can all agree Fab is a vet. This is his FOURTH album. Uncharted territory for plenty of artists and every song is interchangable with his last releases. Sometimes U gotta draw the line and demand a little more. I still recommend it for a purchase however.
3 Mics
Fab’s Loso mixtapes had me wanting but not expecting similar work on the album. I think the album is ok, but imagine how dated it wouldve sounded if they pushed it back even further.
Lil Whyte – haven’t listened yet but I’m happily limited to listening to “The Bad Guy…” from his old shit.
somebody asked for D’Nell the other day…i don’t know if anyone posted it, so here it is:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7l57yf
There was too many R&B tracks, and yes, from all these hit makers: Akon/Rihanna/T-Pain/Lloyd. Plus he had only two tracks by himself.
i thought i was the only one that noticed this
This should have been called Fab & Friends
Yea To Many R and B Joints And Guests That Last Song Tho Is Fire Budden’s verse on it was CRAZY
but yea album isnt anything special at all for all the reasons stated
Although, not much is different on this Fab album, and the fact that 2 tracks were solo (one was the intro for fucks sake) I still find myself enjoying almost the whole LP.
Even though I was/am disappointed with all of the (r&b) features, I think this strategy lends itself well to having something for everyone. I don’t really feel that there is a TON of variation from track to track, but they’re all ‘bump-able’, agreed?
If nothing else, at least it’s out, and there’s no more wait.
Yea… I gotta agree with you…
3 mics it is… 3 1/2 @ most.
can u put up some pepper or sublime albums cuz i they shit go
anyone have an opinion of the Primo records?
Do yall get paid for the constant “throwing of rose petals” in these reviews?
When has Fabolous ever not “sounded like the rest of em?”
anybody have loso’s way. i rebooted computer and lost it ….
Fuck what ya’ll say….that Lil Wyte bangin.
Fab’s been on cruise control since More Street Dreams. I will admit the song with Neo is pretty good, but it’s always the same thing. At least he didn’t try to trick us like he did last time with Breathe.
The Williamsburg swerve.
We break up to make up at Jacobs baby… my parents fought too, I’m the make baby
most of yall are trippin. this album is the best outta fabs previous 3. its hot and a must cop. yea he got 6 trax with r&b features but only 3 of those are traditional r&b. 1 is street (akon), 1 is party/club (t-pain), and the other is inspirational (lil mo). he hits on a lotta topics. dude had lotta features but so wut. sum dudes do dat and still put out trash. this album is at least worth 4 mics. i bet even jay-z would say so and not just cause he from brooklyn and on def jam.
Can someone reup that plz
Jay Z, Vol 2 Hard Knock Life…… 14 songs on the album. 11 songs have features