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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fabolous - From Nothin' to Somethin', June 19, 2007
Fabolous (A.K.A. John Jackson) fourth solo album is "From Nothin' to Somethin'" (2007). The Brooklyn MC provides a fourteen track release which features guest appearances from Akon, Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Swizz Beats, Junio Reid, Lloyd, Rihanna, Young Jeezy, Jay-Z, Uncle Murda, Red Cafe, Pusha-T & Lil Mo. Faboulous opens his album with two less then memorable track's. To me this release has one outstanding track which is Fabolous collaboration with Akon who produces and delivers some exceptional vocals for "Change Up". Fabolous hold's his own on this track delivering some quotables. Akon continues to impress me lacing yet another Rapper with a dope chorus. Timbaland provides a distinct beat for "Make Me Better" while Ne-Yo delivers some soulful vocals as both artists pay tribute to the women who hold them down. "Baby Don't Go" is painful on this reviewers ear's, Fabolous and T-Pain don't blend well. Just Blaze produced "Return of the Hustle" features Swizz Beatz who resurrect's a Wu-Tang chorus with limited success. Game enlisted Junior Blood for "One Blood", Fabolous looks for similar success on "Gangsta Don't Play" another mediocre track. "Real Playa Like" is more of Faboulous style and reminds me of some of his past singles, singer Lloyd laces the track with some smooth vocals while Fab talks to the ladies. "First Time" is a similiar but less memorable track which features an appearance from singer Rihanna. "Diamonds" to me is simply a dumb bling bling track which is laced with a half assed beat and the Snowman Young Jeezy doesn't benefit it anymore. Seems like a weak watered down attempt at a down South track to gain some attention from Hip Hop's best selling market. "Brooklyn" is a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. and Fab's hood and features appearances from Jay-Z & Uncle Murda. Listening to this track just makes me miss B.I.G. who could outshine all three of these artists on a bad day. Reefa's production on "I'm the Man" is sub par and leaves the listener listening to some less then memorable lyrics from Fabolous and Red Cafe. "Jokes on You" is another bland track which features an appearance from Pusha-T of the Clipse. Fabolous rhymes about his fan's stories on the semi-decent "What Should I Do" - Lil Mo's crooning could use some work. Overall "From Nothin' to Somethin'" is an average release, which has a few memorable track's.
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11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This Is A Solid 4-Star Album. Don't Pay Attention to the Rest of These Reviews, June 21, 2007
One thing everyone should know is that Fab is one of those artists that has really benefitted from the mixture of musical cultures between the south and east cost. His lyrics are east coast, but his flow is better when it is slowed down to a southern pace. And if he raps on southern-inspired production then he really proves to be an elite artist.
A hint of his potential was exposed in 2004 on Real Talk, his third studio, when he did a song with Young Jeezy, of all people. The name of the song was "Do the Dam Thang". That beat was hard as he!!. Brooklyn-bred producer Reefa offered production reminiscent of work that comes from southern hip hop. And Fab, as slowly as possible, said,
"They say a nigg* stones look sick, and I got a/ Stack of singles in my hand that's phone book thick/ Cuz I'm so hood rich, that I'm no good, bitc*/ And even if she got a pimp, then the hoe should switch/ And get rid of that shi* spitter, get wit a shi* getter/ Sit wit a hit spitter, that don't bitc* chitter/ My style fit with her, I tell her you done/ Went left, now you need to go right like a switch hitter." What!?
Historically, the east coast style of production hasn't always showcased Fab the way he was showcased in that song. But the mixture that has occurred between the hip hop cultures made it so Fab can rap at his best with boldness. He sounds like T.I. on the first track, and sounds like Jeezy on "Yep, I'm Back", but with much better lyrics. And the work Jay-Z has done with Fab shows on the rest of the album. Don't pay attention to the other reviews. From Nothin to Somethin has been grossly underrated, and so has Fab, as an artist, by his so-called "fans".
Kurupt's review wasn't very insightful. After 4 studio albums and 4 mixtapes, Fabolous has proven that there is no such thing as a weak lyric from Fabolous. Also, everyone's favorite rapper has borrowed from someone else at some point. So, it isn't very informative to use 2 borrowed lines to judge a whole album. The way Fab used the line from Beyonce was very funny.
K-Burner didn't know what he was talking about either. He admits he only "pick[ed] up Street Dreams", Fab's second album. This dude isn't even familiar with Fab's collection of work. If he was, then he would understand the technique behind Fab's rapping. K-Burner hasn't shown he figured anything out when he says Fab's flow doesn't change and he raps about the same things.
Fab's voice isn't always monotone and he doesn't always rap about the same things. He does make real good concept songs and personal songs. I refer you to Ghetto Fabolous: "One Day", "Get Smart" and "Bad Guy". I refer you to Street Dreams: "Can't Let You Go", which is a genius love song for the mistresses, "Change You or Change Me" (he starts each verse with a comic book reference), and "Respect". I refer you to Real Talk: "Church", "Can You Hear Me", "In My Hood", and "Po Po". And he uses his mixtapes for his unadulterated lyrical assaults. The mixtapes are for the streets and this is where you'll see Fab's technical lyrical skills, unconcerned with making commerially successful work. On From Nothin to Something you just happen to get Fab at his best. He gets music that he is the best at rapping to, and he uses his signature flow and tone all the way through.
It just so happens that he sounds the best when he slows down his flow and works in the lower register of his voice. If you listen to his earlier works, you will notice that he almost loses control of his voice when he raps fast. His voice gets higher pitched and his tough talk almost sounds unconvincing. But the lyrical content, lyrical timing, and wit have always been there. From Nothing to Somethin is no different.
This is a very calculated album, and Fab made scientific improvements with what he tries to do in his albums. Throughout his commercial career, Fab tries to balance street lyrics, love songs, and bragging. It all came together on this album. This is a real feel-good album. If you're looking for something more poetic, politically conscious, or less about worldly values in general then get any Nas album, Wade Waters, AZ, Common, Boot Camp Clik, or anything from producer 9th Wonder's affiliates.
This album has the best love songs he's ever made and his gangsta lyrics are impactful as usual. This album is efficient and is effective at a high level. Fab's improved guest spots and production added another dimension to this work. The guest spots were an important tool on this album, because of how much he slowed down his flow and kept his voice in his lower range. Everyone calls his voice monotone, but Fab rapped the way he is the most comfortable, and he used his guests to change up the energy of the album. Everything worked greatly on From Nothin to Somethin. I'm was very impressed with the way this album was built.
Now, I'm a hardcore rap listener, I pay attention to serious lyrics. I go easy on production and I don't like a lot of party lyrics or love lyrics. But the production and the hooks on his romance songs really got me into his romance songs. And I must say: his romance songs had really well thought out lyrics. My R&B wife, on the other hand cares mostly about the sound, and doesn't really listen to the words. But the production and those hooks on his hard stuff drew my R&B wife into his harder lyrics. She was actually rapping along with his songs. We never agree on albums, but this one brought us together. This album is Fab's best package and has something everyone can gather around.
I hope it felt good to read a review from someone who knew what he was talking about. Don't mind the reviews that aren't evidenced by anything. It's not enough to say that an album had good or bad lyrics or production.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Barely made 3 stars, not at all a "fabolous" album, October 4, 2007
At his best, Fabolous is one of the most skilled and gifted rappers of our time. However, John Jackson (Fab's real name) falls short throughout the entire album. Of course he comes up with a few creative lines, but collectively we simply have an album inundated with mediocrity lyrics and production-wise. This album is full of guest appearances, but unfortunately, they do little to make the album better. The production is overall nondescript. Nowadays, artists try hard to make club bangers or songs that make listeners want to get up and dance, but here, there are one or two songs which accurately fit this description.
"Make Me Better" was the first song released from "From Nothin' to Somethin". Although it received lots of airplay, it took me quite some time to enjoy this song. I find this song to be typical and a bit boring, although I enjoy it more than I used to. "Yep I'm Back" contains a weak beat and alright lyrics; definitely nothing memorable. "Gangsta Don't Play" featuring Junior Reid, and "Change Up" featuring Akon both feature lackluster performances. These tracks help me bring out the point that Fab did not put his best foot forward with his fourth LP. These songs are two of the weakest on the album.
Fabolous doesn't completely disappoint on "From Nothin' to Somethin". In "Brooklyn", Fab, Uncle Murda and Jay-Z pay homage to their place of birth, and they should be commended for a job well done. Truth be told, though, Jay showcased lots of talent and actually outshined Fab on his own track. My only criticism with this song is the bad production, something that really brings this album down. Lloyd adds a nice flavor to the album on "Real Playa Like".
As I cut to the chase, it would be best to keep this Fabolous album on the shelf. If you want to hear Fab give his full lyrical potential, take a listen to his second LP entitled "Street Dreams."
Mikeisha's Top 5
1. "Make Me Better"
2. "Brooklyn"
3. "I'm the Man"
4. "This is Family"
5. "Real Playa Like"
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