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Reviews
In 2009 I discovered Fresno, CA rapper
Fashawn and his incredible indie debut
Boy Meets World. The
Exile-produced album was one of the year’s strongest, and like so many great hip hop albums, it was a stunning life-up-until-now story. Ever since, dropped Fashawn has faced the
Nas-like challenge of matching his debut whilst trying to tell the slightly less interesting story of his life as it is
now. Unlike Nas, the West Coaster has shown a remarkable degree of consistency with his post-
Boy Meets World releases.
Recent projects such as
Higher Learning 2 and
This Generation, his collaboration with
Murs, are testimony to his role in a New West movement that’s actually a lot wider (and older) than many people think - and proof that it’s not merely a New Los Angeles wave. At the same time, the good music hasn't changed the fact that he has some work to do to be considered a household name outside California.
Champagne & Styrofoam Cups is an important step in his transition from the Cali underground of the past to the brave New World.
Even though much time has passed since the split of revered trio Little Brother, one of Hip Hop’s most cherished groups, deep rooted amongst many fans has been an impatient craving for something new from either 9th Wonder, Rapper Big Pooh or the artist in question today; Phonte. Whilst Wonder has given us his Wonder Years and the Foreign Exchange (Phonte’s most recent project) provided some warm, glorious memories of his musical past, the urge for something closer to home was desired by many. So for the Greensboro, North Carolina born lyricist “home” is where he returned; back to the circle of dope beats and dope rhymes for his first solo album. Having spent numerous years sharing the plaudits with his two brothers in rhyme, how would one of Hip Hop’s most revered poets handle an entire project in which it would only be him and his thoughts occupying the recording booth?