It seems like the world of Hip Hop has finally lit fire under its belly. Hip Hop isn’t as friendly as a DJ Khaled song afterall, Charlamagne. Rappers have started to become more Aggressive in many ways more than one. Besides the obvious hate for top dawg Drake, coming from various big names, such as Tyga, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar. Rappers have been releasing projects left and right, unintentionally or intentionally steering our small attention spands to their direction.
It’s pretty late to be talking about Fab’s album since he dropped it in December of 2014, but I believe this album was probably the most underappreciated projects of 2015. it I recently read a review on hothiphop.com and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. The writer gave Fab’s album a 65 out of 100. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t a 65 a failing grade? Are you telling me the journalist gave Brooklyn’s very own Fabolous’s a F on the The Young OG Project? Yes, maybe it’s because I am from Brooklyn and I’m bias, but I truly feel that Fab releases an amazing project. Granted it may of haven’t stayed #1 on itunes or broke any records like Kendrick’s Ho to pimp a butterfly, but how many albums was as relatable as this. If mainstream culture wasn’t bumping this, I know the whole hood was.
Every record on the album represented one aspect of growing up in an environment that was hard. Track 1, Lituation was the party anthem that all scammers could bob their heads too. With Lyrics like “sneak dissing has always been a fav for cowards” and “Irather ten lion than 100 sleep,” speaks to the cowardly behavior we see in the hood, made by people who are suppose to be the big homie or a Lion of the Catle. Fab basicaalys says in the song, “Lets have a good time ad stop trying to one up each other.” The beat is okay, but at times annoying. I rated this song a 6 out of 10. He uses terminology that young adults use now.
The 2nd Track on the album is a personally my second favorite song on the whole album. It features Atlanta very own Rich Homie Quan on the hook. The beat is melondic an featues some cool rifts and bounce to it. “We Good” is basically a record telling Fab’s old “friends” that he’s good even though thy didn’t help him when he was done. Now that is he “up” his old haters are trying to bathe in his glory with him. At the same time te song is giving advice to it’s litenser sayng, Keep your head it up, things will get better. “Focus on you, homie get you bread up, Things will be better keep your head up.” This song is so relatable on so many levels. Everyone has delt with haters or people who didn’t wish thr best for them. For relatability, hot beat, and great lyrics I rated this song a 8.5 out if 10. Instead of doing that shitty music video for Lituation, he should of did a video for this song.
The 3rd Track “All Good” pays homage to the late, great Biggie Smalls by using his sample of “Juicy.”I’ts nice seeing fellow Brooklyn artisits paying their respect, but I’m not going to lie, I thought this song was pointless. If I was editing his album, I would of tell him to trash it. I really don’t think he needs this songs. I mean it’s okay, but it’s not needed. Even though the song features Biggie is not really aout him. It is really about a keeping the vibe and energy of yourself good even though you might go through things that an alter you vision of the world. He bring up a girl and how bad men turned her bad. If I had to rate this song I would rate it a 4 out of 10. I don’t think its memorable and interesting, I actually kind off boring. I’m not a fan of the lyrics and production.
The 4th track is my favorite song on the entire album. “You Made Me,”feauring Tish Hyman is the ultimate “Growing Pains” song. Growing up anywhere, you will encounter situations that hsape and mold your character. He even opens the song by saying, “I think we all try to be good people, but it’s just things you go through that makes you who you are.” The song explains Fabolous’s path through betrayal and heart ache and how becoming successful has changed the moments of people around him, ultimately saying “This is how you made me.” The concept is very similar to Track 2, We Good, but dives even deeper into the acts of betrayal that was done to him by people in his hood. He explains this with lyrics like, ” Your boy tried to f**k me over, thought we was homies, Guess he was a H-O-E , when I say homies, N****s get some money, then act like they don’t know me, Got a new Phone, cut off the old phonies.”
[Verse 2: Fabolous]
Your boy tried to fuck me over, thought we was homies
Guess he was a h-o-e when I say hoemies
Niggas get some money then act like they don’t know me
Got a new phone, cut off the old phonies
