BACK IN THE 2000s, there were a lot of big name rappers that helped to transform the genre to what it is today. Jay. Ye. Fif and G-Unit. Weezy. Them and a whole lotta other rappers were really doing their thing during that decade but for me personally, Fabolous always stood out for some reason. I’m not gonna sit here and tell you he was running the show back then, but to not give Fab his credit is selling him way short. Dude was as dependable as they come. From '01 to '09, he put out five albums, four peaking in the top 5 (the 5th at number 6) and one, Loso’s Way, took the top spot in the country. Rap was big during the 2000s but not like it is today… not to discredit artists now by any means, but going number 1 overall with a rap album meant a little something extra back then.
When people think of Fabolous, most probably think of a few specific songs. Maybe it’s Can’t Let You Go, You Be Killin ‘Em, his feature on Say Ahh or even Into You - you know his song with Tamia that Pop Smoke paid homage to on Something Special? All those songs are great but I’ve always been partial to his run of mixtapes, specifically 2013’s The Soul Tape 3 (ST3), the third (duh) and final mixtape in his soul-heavy mixtape trilogy.
Through the years, one of Fab’s biggest strengths has been his knack for finding really good beats and making some real slick sounding tracks, thanks to his laid back manner. It’s no different on ST3. The beats are all real chill and even on the tracks that you’d expect to be coming at you with all they got - @ Foreigners... Meek verses are usually a full on battle - get the Fab effect of making it a step more lowkey than anticipated. To some, this may come as a disappointment, but I prefer music toned down a little bit so you already know I’m a big fan of it here. And honestly, with Fab’s demeanor, it may be too much if he tries to go blow for blow with all of his features.
Much of the tape really lives it’s time period, especially some of those middle tracks. The Get Back address the Kendrick Control verse and then Trinidad James’ response. Foreigners is a Meek track through and through, but like I said with the Fab effect sprinkled on top. The Hope with Jadakiss is the definition of a NYC anthem from that era of rap. You Know sounds like it could’ve been on any Young Jeezy project around that time. I don’t know if I’ve heard snares like the ones on Cuffin Season since. And finally, Thim Slick is Jeremih at his best.
Fab has never been a rapper to spit some metaphorical shit and make you really sit and think deeply about it. He’s a punchline rapper with charisma - honestly kinda like a version of Big Sean before Big Sean - but on ST3, his punchlines aren’t quite as punchy and his smooth talking ain't as smooth as usual. So why take the time to talk about a project that isn’t his best? Cause damn man I love this mixtape that’s why. This was the first Fab project I really listened to and from the jump I was drawn to it, probably cause of how easy it is to listen to. As a Freshman in high school, I wasn’t necessarily looking for the toughest bars and the craziest rhymes but for something I could rock to. This was it for me back then; it had me day dreaming about my crush, questioning past relationships, and casually bobbing my head to every song on it. It’s not the best mixtape out but maaan, it’s nostalgic as fuck and perfect for reminiscing about the early 2010’s era of rap.
PERSONAL FAVORITES: Everything Was the Same, Thim Slick, Lay Down
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