Real Talk
Taken in small doses, Fabolous's for-the-club raps work nicely… well, for the club--and nothing much else. On the addictive "Breathe" he reluctantly ditches his usual drawl and spits some urgent ghettocentric punch lines with great effect. Interestingly, on "Don't Stop Won't Stop," Fabolous charges that people continue to steal his flow. Now, nobody's sure who has the copyright on the lazy delivery thatMaseand Loon also employ, but that's a moot point on "Baby," where his crooner homey Mike Shorey sings over a familiarMichael Jacksonsample (thinkDe La Soul's "Breakadawn"). The obligatoryLil' Mocollabo "Holla at Somebody Real" is no "Can't Let You Go" although "Tit 4 Tat" offers a nice respite from the banality of the beats and lyrics--but that might be because the ubiquitous Pharrell is on board.Sean Paulsounds like he phoned in his verses on "It's All Right," and, on "It's Ghetto," when Fab raps about his hood exploits from the living room of his palatial estate, he just doesn't sound that genuine anymore.--Dalton Higgins