For all of Fabolous's illustrious career he's been a rock of consistency. He always brings the swag, he always brings the R&B colabo's, and he always brings the witty punch lines that made him a rap star in 2001. But on his fifth release, "Loso's Way," Fab almost plays it too safe, piling up guests artist and producers, and delivering a sub-par lyricism that makes "Loso's Way" a good, not great, album.
Taking inspiration from 1993's hood favorite, "Carlito's Way," Loso's latest disc sounds like an artist who's gotten comfortable in his high-profile shoes and is simply meeting what he thinks is his standard.
On the Lil Wayne assisted "Salute," two MCs that should be animals on the mic come off as tame. Meanwhile, "Feel Like I'm Back" looks like a second version of "Yep, I'm Back" off 2007's "From Nothin' to Somethin'." Instead, there's less energy, less excitement, and less effort on Fab's part.
He does bring plenty of energy on the disc's second single, "It's My Time," but even then he's still rapping, "You can check your iPhone, bet it say its iTime."
As for his signature soft sounding R&B cuts, Fab and Ne-Yo team up again on "Makin' Love." While it's not quite as radio friendly or commercial as "Make Me Better," it's still a formidable team, even though Fab's sleepy flow sounds more lackadaisical than seductive.
The best part of "Loso's Way" is the personal "Stay," featuring Marsha Ambrosius. While Fab usually offers one deep track on his album, "Stay" takes a look at the role (or lack there of) that Fab's father played in his life and the role he plan's to play in his new born son's life. It's insightful, heartfelt, and a rare gem on "Loso's Way."
The rest of it though is fairly tiresome. Fabolous can only rhyme "Loso" with "know so" before it's repetitive and annoying. The beats and guest appearances from buzz names like Ryan Leslie allow Fab to do standard work, but it's hardly his hand that makes any of these songs hot.
Ted Simmons
Loso's Way
For all of Fabolous's illustrious career he's been a rock of consistency. He always brings the swag, he always brings the R&B colabo's, and he always brings the witty punch lines that made him a rap star in 2001. But on his fifth release, "Loso's Way," Fab almost plays it too safe, piling up guests artist and producers, and delivering a sub-par lyricism that makes "Loso's Way" a good, not great, album.
Taking inspiration from 1993's hood favorite, "Carlito's Way," Loso's latest disc sounds like an artist who's gotten comfortable in his high-profile shoes and is simply meeting what he thinks is his standard.
On the Lil Wayne assisted "Salute," two MCs that should be animals on the mic come off as tame. Meanwhile, "Feel Like I'm Back" looks like a second version of "Yep, I'm Back" off 2007's "From Nothin' to Somethin'." Instead, there's less energy, less excitement, and less effort on Fab's part.
He does bring plenty of energy on the disc's second single, "It's My Time," but even then he's still rapping, "You can check your iPhone, bet it say its iTime."
As for his signature soft sounding R&B cuts, Fab and Ne-Yo team up again on "Makin' Love." While it's not quite as radio friendly or commercial as "Make Me Better," it's still a formidable team, even though Fab's sleepy flow sounds more lackadaisical than seductive.
The best part of "Loso's Way" is the personal "Stay," featuring Marsha Ambrosius. While Fab usually offers one deep track on his album, "Stay" takes a look at the role (or lack there of) that Fab's father played in his life and the role he plan's to play in his new born son's life. It's insightful, heartfelt, and a rare gem on "Loso's Way."
The rest of it though is fairly tiresome. Fabolous can only rhyme "Loso" with "know so" before it's repetitive and annoying. The beats and guest appearances from buzz names like Ryan Leslie allow Fab to do standard work, but it's hardly his hand that makes any of these songs hot.
