FigTizzy

 

 

 

 

Quick note: Due to my technological inabilities, I have no idea how to post pictures or videos to the blog yet (edit: OK, now I do).  As a result, the visuals that will potentially be accompanying my posts are not yet available.  I apologize.  I also apologize for the fact that Chris, the other writer of this blog, has indeed figured out this technology and now has the ability to post borderline soft-core, homosexual pornography videos like the one posted below.  At least that’s what I think it is; I stopped watching after 10 seconds before things got too raunchy.  Regardless, apologies all around.  Here’s part two of the series that I just realized might go on for the next six months.  Sorry about that as well. 

 

2. Loso’s Way

 

Strangely enough, my first two posts are similarly about music that I’m supposed to be looking forward to, but I can’t write that I’m simply excited to hear the music without bitching about the artist for a while first.  Then again, these posts are supposed to be about what I want to hear in 2009, so naturally I demand that the artist puts out the music and acts the exact way I want him to.  I really don’t ask for much. 

 

Anyway, I’m a pretty big fan of this little known rapper named Fabolous.  To be honest, I don’t think he gets nearly as much respect as he deserves in the hip-hop world because he’s known for his singles and clubby songs.  Those that really listen to him, though, know that he can rip up most rappers in 16 bars when he’s not sleeping through his verse or seducing every female fan in America. 

 

For his fifth full-length LP, Fabolous decided to make a concept album entitled Loso’s Way, which will be based on the concept of the 1993 movie Carlito’s Way.  Not a terrible idea, and someone with the slickness and credibility of Fabolous can pull this off.  Here’s my problem, and we’ll start from the way beginning in breaking this one down. 

 

In 1997, the infamous Notorious B.I.G. was murdered.  This left a huge void in the New York rap scene, as Biggie was unquestionably the leader of New York hip-hop before his death.  What resulted was a bunch of rappers attempting to step into his shoes, which was only completed successfully (or at least the most successfully) by Jay-Z.  After Jay-Z took over the N.Y. spotlight (which was shared only at times with others like Nas, DMX, Jadakiss, etc.), a new generation of rappers came up that, basically, were just doing Jay-Z impressions and hoping to blow up.  This theme of trying to replicate a previously successful model of gaining fame is constant in hip-hop (see: the explosion of 50 Cent using the mixtape scene, followed by an entire generation of “mixtape rappers”).

 

Among this generation of rappers doing their best Jay-Z impressions was Fabolous.  Now, I’m not saying that Fabolous and Jay-Z are exactly alike; a listen to a solo album by either can tell you that.  However, the similarities are unavoidable.  They’re both from Brooklyn, specifically Bed-Stuy.  They both have made tons of hits for the females, yet they’ve both maintained street credibility and respect from the male listeners.  They both have a smooth flow, but both can unleash hard-hitting, braggadocio punch lines.  Lastly, they both maintain that intangible “I’m the shit” attitude that few rappers can match. 

 

Now, an asshole might go as far as saying that Fabolous is a poor man’s Jay-Z.  Jay is capable of better conceptual tracks, can put stories together better, and has many more hits and higher record sales than Fab does. 

 

Personally, I think given Jay’s recent weak(ish) efforts and the solid songs that Fab has put out recently (I’d say only Cory Gunz got the better of the A Millie beat), Fabolous certainly does not deserve to be referred to as the poor version of anyone.  But here’s my issue: after all of the above comparisons between these two artists, and the fact that Fabolous should (one would think) be trying to avoid becoming a weak version of Jigga and just carve out his own lane, he decides to re-use a concept that was just used by Jay-Z last year.  And he’s not being shy about it either, stating in a recent interview that Jay’s American Gangster is what inspired him to make an album about a movie that he is inspired by.

 

Regardless, I just hope the album is good.  Fabolous seems to fade away in between albums, mostly because he doesn’t really use the internet to promote himself too much when he’s not pushing a solo album.  This hasn’t been a problem as of yet, as he picks up his buzz quickly each time by gathering an array of guest stars.  On his last album alone, he had three songs for the female fans, one with T-Pain, one with Rihanna, and another with Ne-Yo, a club song with Swizz Beatz, a cocky yet melancholy song with Akon, and multiple street anthems that featured Jay-Z, Uncle Murda, Young Jeezy and Pusha T. 

 

I’m sure Loso’s Way will be equally as star-studded.  From the few things I have heard from him recently, he’s lyrically in top-notch shape- he had the only verse worth listening to on that terrible Hi Hater Remix and his few lines on the mixtape song Where You From with The Game had me fiending for more.  Here’s to hoping he delivers this year.

 

Part three coming soon.

 

-adam