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| Cover Art for Mistah FAB's "Son of a Pimp, Pt. 2" |
In 2016, Bay Area veteran Mistah FAB had released his album "Son of a Pimp Pt. 2", his sequel to his 2005 album "Son of a Pimp" which was chalk full of features from respected California artists like E40 and Mac Dre. "Son of a Pimp Pt. 2" continues this with an even more star studded guest list with features ranging from recognizable household names like Kendrick Lamar to local buzzing Bay artists like J. Stalin.
Mistah FAB is what you would call regionally famous. In the California Bay Area, FAB has been around along time and as a result of this, he has gathered many contacts and artist connects throughout his years of rapping. Therefore, it's only right that his album previous to "Son of a Pimp, Pt.2" is 4 years apart. Gathering features for a guest list as diverse and as star studded as this was most likely no easy task...
This is also a throwback review, just so you know...
And today I'm going to give my thoughts for each individual track on this album:
1. Liberty Forever Intro
Awww he got his daughter to do the intro! How cute! At least F.A.B. didn't make an annoying rap intro, so there's that.
Awww he got his daughter to do the intro! How cute! At least F.A.B. didn't make an annoying rap intro, so there's that.
2. Son of a Pimp (feat. CMT)
I fucks with this beat! Funky as hell! F.A.B. paints a great picture of the Oakland lifestyle as well. Damn. THIS is how you start off an album. Really does make you feel like a Pimp. *Warning: You may unexpectedly find yourself wearing a zootsuit* Nice song.
3. Not in Love Anymore (feat. Netta B)
Oh shit! There's an old R&B sample in here! I forget the name of the sample but my parents listen to that sampled song all the time! Fuckkk it's driving me crazy lol but yeah, this smooth as hell. And I LOVE smooth tracks. F.A.B. discusses his falling out with a woman and it's really compelling. I found myself really interested F.A.B.'s story about this woman. Really nice shit right here! Oh and the hook & bridge are dope too! And that outro tho! S/O 2 Netta B.
Oh shit! There's an old R&B sample in here! I forget the name of the sample but my parents listen to that sampled song all the time! Fuckkk it's driving me crazy lol but yeah, this smooth as hell. And I LOVE smooth tracks. F.A.B. discusses his falling out with a woman and it's really compelling. I found myself really interested F.A.B.'s story about this woman. Really nice shit right here! Oh and the hook & bridge are dope too! And that outro tho! S/O 2 Netta B.
4. Pretty Girls (feat. Raekwon, G-Eazy & Carl Thomas)
God damn! Ayy you got Raekwon giving props to F.A.B. before he goes in on another smooth as hell beat. I'm definitely fucking with this project so far! Oh yeah! Carl Thomas kills the hook too! F.A.B. does his thing as usual, nothing to write home about though. And as for G-Eazy? Well...he does...pretty well actually. G-Eazy's verse isn't anything deep or thought provoking but the whole song is about "Pretty Girls" so what do you expect? G-Eazy Shouts Out F.A.B. & The Chef (which I thought was nice) and peaces out before he does anything to derail the song lol nah I'm hating on dude. G-Eazy did his thing on here too.
God damn! Ayy you got Raekwon giving props to F.A.B. before he goes in on another smooth as hell beat. I'm definitely fucking with this project so far! Oh yeah! Carl Thomas kills the hook too! F.A.B. does his thing as usual, nothing to write home about though. And as for G-Eazy? Well...he does...pretty well actually. G-Eazy's verse isn't anything deep or thought provoking but the whole song is about "Pretty Girls" so what do you expect? G-Eazy Shouts Out F.A.B. & The Chef (which I thought was nice) and peaces out before he does anything to derail the song lol nah I'm hating on dude. G-Eazy did his thing on here too.
5. Up Until Then (feat. Boosie Badazz & Iamsu!)
Oh I like this beat too! Lol Su!'s verse was funny to me, especially the line about not needing a woman and just being "a man" and "beati[ng] his meat" haha. Su!'s hook though, that's some good shit right there.
Oh I like this beat too! Lol Su!'s verse was funny to me, especially the line about not needing a woman and just being "a man" and "beati[ng] his meat" haha. Su!'s hook though, that's some good shit right there.
Badazz delivers a pretty heartfelt verse and I didn't expect that honestly, his verse pleasantly surprised me. Like Boosie's feature really was good here. F.A.B. is an after thought on this track, he definitely got out shined here, but with all these features on this album,, it's to be expected. Nice track [DJ Khaled Voice] Another 1!
6. Survive (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Crooked I & Kobe Honeycutt)
Heard this song as a single first. I still maintain Crooked had the best verse. It's *way more* personal and heartfelt than Kendrick's or F.A.B.'s respective verses. They all kill it though, but Crooked was on another level with this. Cause his verse was emotionally satisfying as well as technically satisfying from a lyrical standpoint. Listen to his verse, I don't want to ruin it but damn, that shit hit me in the chest. I fuck with Crooked. "Survive" is just an all around good song.
Heard this song as a single first. I still maintain Crooked had the best verse. It's *way more* personal and heartfelt than Kendrick's or F.A.B.'s respective verses. They all kill it though, but Crooked was on another level with this. Cause his verse was emotionally satisfying as well as technically satisfying from a lyrical standpoint. Listen to his verse, I don't want to ruin it but damn, that shit hit me in the chest. I fuck with Crooked. "Survive" is just an all around good song.
7. All Around the World (feat. Keyshia Cole & Silk-E)
Oh man, I love this subject matter. F.A.B. is the real star of this song. F.A.B. addresses the injustices happening to people 'All Around the World' (get it?) anyway, this is a really smooth, yet conscious song. The beat is banging and Keyshia's hook is alright, not powerful or anything, but it ain't bad. I remember Keyshia Cole sounding different as a singer, I can't remember well enough to care though. Silk-E also delivers a nice heartfelt verse that mentions his own daughter, I thought that was a nice touch as well as ending his verse just like F.A.B. did his. That was also a nice touch. Man, these songs are so on point.
Oh man, I love this subject matter. F.A.B. is the real star of this song. F.A.B. addresses the injustices happening to people 'All Around the World' (get it?) anyway, this is a really smooth, yet conscious song. The beat is banging and Keyshia's hook is alright, not powerful or anything, but it ain't bad. I remember Keyshia Cole sounding different as a singer, I can't remember well enough to care though. Silk-E also delivers a nice heartfelt verse that mentions his own daughter, I thought that was a nice touch as well as ending his verse just like F.A.B. did his. That was also a nice touch. Man, these songs are so on point.
8. What Yo Hood Like (feat. Jadakiss)
Oh man! The gears have shifted and we are back to a manic, upbeat song, the drums are really good on here! F.A.B. & Kiss spit about their own respective hoods and everything that comes with it. The beat keeps the momentum up at a nice pace and produces a panic'd feeling (at least it did in me) I'm definitely gonna need to go back and listen to these lyrics more intently. But yeah F.A.B. breaks down the history of Oakland basically says "we built this city" which is a giant TIL for me, cause I really don't know shit about Oakland. But yeah, yet ANOTHER good song
Oh man! The gears have shifted and we are back to a manic, upbeat song, the drums are really good on here! F.A.B. & Kiss spit about their own respective hoods and everything that comes with it. The beat keeps the momentum up at a nice pace and produces a panic'd feeling (at least it did in me) I'm definitely gonna need to go back and listen to these lyrics more intently. But yeah F.A.B. breaks down the history of Oakland basically says "we built this city" which is a giant TIL for me, cause I really don't know shit about Oakland. But yeah, yet ANOTHER good song
9. Backseat (feat. Tech N9ne & B.o.B)
Oh shit! Things get turnt on this track right here! Oh man! Tech N9ne sounds fucking phenomenal on this trap beat. Flows are all over the place (in a good way). Definitely the 2nd most catchy hook I've heard so far on the album
Oh shit! Things get turnt on this track right here! Oh man! Tech N9ne sounds fucking phenomenal on this trap beat. Flows are all over the place (in a good way). Definitely the 2nd most catchy hook I've heard so far on the album
"Backseat, Windows Up, That's the way you like to ----"
(the actual word 'fuck' is blanked out, but that's cause we all know this hook is from another song)
B.o.B, lol I can't help but think of flat earth when I hear his voice but yeah, I like the line
"Bend it over you ain't washin' dishes"
lololol that shit was funny.
Very entertaining verse overall.
F.A.B. was also memorable on here as well, I like the line about 'she gave me Einstein' I thought that was a clever way to say "head" lol. These are my first impressions so I'm gonna need more listens to really break down the lyrics but so far? This is some good shit! Yet ANOTHER good track lol.
10. Finna Do (feat. Iamsu! & Idaho J Doe)
Yo, F.A.B. makes some catchy ass fucking hooks! I love this shit!
Yo, F.A.B. makes some catchy ass fucking hooks! I love this shit!
"Whatcha doin' now? FUCK WHAT YOU FINNA DO!"
Nice. The beat knocks as well, feels like I'm in the god damn bay! I really need to visit that place one day! F.A.B. is 10 for 21 right now, ALL these songs have been great so far. And in retrospect...this is the best hook on the album. Iamsu! also kilt it!
11. Black Hollywood (feat. Too $hort, Snoop Dogg & Bobby V)
Starts off with a killer hook from Bobby V, pretty nice. Too $hort gets the 2nd verse and lays down an entertaining as hell verse that only Too $hort can lay. F.A.B. comes and goes on the 1st verse but really he's been pretty forgettable on most of this songs here. The guest features steal the spotlight once again as Snoop Dogg comes thru and does what he does best. Spit that smooth shit. And it fuckin' works on here. 100% sweet track that deserves to be played on radio stations all across the country. Probably won't chart but hey this is some good shit here. Nice and accessible track.
Starts off with a killer hook from Bobby V, pretty nice. Too $hort gets the 2nd verse and lays down an entertaining as hell verse that only Too $hort can lay. F.A.B. comes and goes on the 1st verse but really he's been pretty forgettable on most of this songs here. The guest features steal the spotlight once again as Snoop Dogg comes thru and does what he does best. Spit that smooth shit. And it fuckin' works on here. 100% sweet track that deserves to be played on radio stations all across the country. Probably won't chart but hey this is some good shit here. Nice and accessible track.
12. Still Feelin' It
Damn, this is the first time since the intro that didn't have to put "feat. xyz" lol. You can't ignore F.A.B. on here. Just a cool feel good vibe track. F.A.B. doesn't really say anything special on here. Take it for what it is. Probably the weakest track on here that I've heard so far. But make no mistake, it is farrrrrrrrrrr from trash, but I can see how someone can hate this track. The "feelinnnnnn myselffffff" hook can get annoying. But I ain't complaining can't win em all y'know? Very "Meh" track.
Damn, this is the first time since the intro that didn't have to put "feat. xyz" lol. You can't ignore F.A.B. on here. Just a cool feel good vibe track. F.A.B. doesn't really say anything special on here. Take it for what it is. Probably the weakest track on here that I've heard so far. But make no mistake, it is farrrrrrrrrrr from trash, but I can see how someone can hate this track. The "feelinnnnnn myselffffff" hook can get annoying. But I ain't complaining can't win em all y'know? Very "Meh" track.
13. Idkw2d (feat. 2 Chainz)
F.A.B. is way more entertaining on here than on the previous track. Nice flow throughout his verse. 2 Chainz...lol "mmm boo let me borrow ya tongue" and of course a couple other funny lines are dropped as is tradition in a 2 Chainz verse. Other than that, pretty standard track right here. The hook is alright, but not as good as Iamsu!'s hook on "Finna Do" "Idkw2d" feels like a leftover track with a 2 Chainz verse tacted on for good measure. Meh. Not feelin' it. Track isn't bad, but meh, I can't see myself going back to it or even remembering it 2 minutes from now.
F.A.B. is way more entertaining on here than on the previous track. Nice flow throughout his verse. 2 Chainz...lol "mmm boo let me borrow ya tongue" and of course a couple other funny lines are dropped as is tradition in a 2 Chainz verse. Other than that, pretty standard track right here. The hook is alright, but not as good as Iamsu!'s hook on "Finna Do" "Idkw2d" feels like a leftover track with a 2 Chainz verse tacted on for good measure. Meh. Not feelin' it. Track isn't bad, but meh, I can't see myself going back to it or even remembering it 2 minutes from now.
14. Memory Lane (feat. Dyson)
As the title suggests, F.A.B. reminisces on his past. The feature is only on hook duty so F.A.B. remains the MVP on here. Everything works on here, from the subject matter to the lyrics, to the hook to the overall production of the song. I especially liked the line where F.A.B. talked about his father getting into heaven, it really touched me cause it showed that even though his father wasn't the best father he still cares for him and hope he gets his version of eternal paradise. F.A.B. honestly hopes his father "Rests in Peace"
As the title suggests, F.A.B. reminisces on his past. The feature is only on hook duty so F.A.B. remains the MVP on here. Everything works on here, from the subject matter to the lyrics, to the hook to the overall production of the song. I especially liked the line where F.A.B. talked about his father getting into heaven, it really touched me cause it showed that even though his father wasn't the best father he still cares for him and hope he gets his version of eternal paradise. F.A.B. honestly hopes his father "Rests in Peace"
Another highlight on this album
15. On All Mommaz (feat. Keak da Sneak & E-40)
I haven't seen a Keak da Sneak feature since "Tell Me When To Go" lol (don't kill me with a list of features that Keak did, I don't even follow the man like that I was just making a joke) lol I like the idea of this song. How many ways can we say "On My Momma"? Lol entertaining as fuck hook from F.A.B. himself. Keak comes through and recalls his OG status in the bay. Pretty nice. Then E-40. God Damn it! That flow is unmatched. 40 water could be reading from a damn phone book and I'd fuck with it. Cool track all around.
I haven't seen a Keak da Sneak feature since "Tell Me When To Go" lol (don't kill me with a list of features that Keak did, I don't even follow the man like that I was just making a joke) lol I like the idea of this song. How many ways can we say "On My Momma"? Lol entertaining as fuck hook from F.A.B. himself. Keak comes through and recalls his OG status in the bay. Pretty nice. Then E-40. God Damn it! That flow is unmatched. 40 water could be reading from a damn phone book and I'd fuck with it. Cool track all around.
16. The Chill (feat. Curren$y Spitta & ScHoolboy Q)
There's a song called "Grooveline Pt. 1" on Q's album "Habits & Contradictions" that has Curren$y and Dom Kennedy on it, and when the beat came on for this song I *immediately* thought of that song like "Whoa, Q and Spitta always seem to come together on smooth shit...shit I ain't complaining tho" Anyway, remember I told y'all I love smooth shit? Well yeah, it's no guess I *heavily* fuck with this track. Nice, chill track (as the title implies) Curren$y flows effortlessly through this song, he could've been saying anything I would've been like "Yo, this is tight" and as for Q? He brings his smooth gangster vibe on here, pretty nice. I like it. Another highlight tho.
There's a song called "Grooveline Pt. 1" on Q's album "Habits & Contradictions" that has Curren$y and Dom Kennedy on it, and when the beat came on for this song I *immediately* thought of that song like "Whoa, Q and Spitta always seem to come together on smooth shit...shit I ain't complaining tho" Anyway, remember I told y'all I love smooth shit? Well yeah, it's no guess I *heavily* fuck with this track. Nice, chill track (as the title implies) Curren$y flows effortlessly through this song, he could've been saying anything I would've been like "Yo, this is tight" and as for Q? He brings his smooth gangster vibe on here, pretty nice. I like it. Another highlight tho.
17. Yes Indeed (feat. Fashawn & Lupe Fiasco)
I love the beat on here. F.A.B. is no slouch on here and I actually remember him on this track lol. But Lupe is the real star on here. He spits an amazing verse on here, it's amazing but in a subtle way, like subtlety complex. I hope Rap Genius fully annotates this verse cause I really want to decode the intricacies of Lupe's verse and all the references. A *definite* highlight on the album. Ugh, LUPE! WHERE IS DROGAS? GIVE ME DROGAS! I WANT DROGAS!
I love the beat on here. F.A.B. is no slouch on here and I actually remember him on this track lol. But Lupe is the real star on here. He spits an amazing verse on here, it's amazing but in a subtle way, like subtlety complex. I hope Rap Genius fully annotates this verse cause I really want to decode the intricacies of Lupe's verse and all the references. A *definite* highlight on the album. Ugh, LUPE! WHERE IS DROGAS? GIVE ME DROGAS! I WANT DROGAS!
Yo, the beat is catchy as fuck! Nice and southern fried on here. I love Bun B's verse on here, as well as F.A.B.'s hook. Haven't heard from Paul in a minute, but then again, I don't actively check for him so that's my fault lol, he was cool on here too, but it was too short for my liking. And yeah I fuck with Z-Ro's opening verse too. Boy is that hook catchy tho...
"Whatcha know about it boiii?"
[DJ Khaled Voice] Another 1 (another good track on this album that is...)
19. Disrespectful (feat. Too $hort, Devin the Dude & Erik tha Jerk)
I need to look at the producer credits on this album cause THESE BEATS THO. If you have a speaker system PLEASE do yourself a favor and play yourself this album on it. This song is great lmao, I love funny, sex centered songs. I like the line "Hey Miss Parker, You should let me fuck one day" lol if you're like me, you can relate to that line LOL "Beat that pussy like a tangerine" This shit is great. "Disrespectful" is the only title for this song. Catchy beat and funny ass lines what else is there to want? Lol this is probably the funniest track I've listened to this year lmao.
20. Brother to Brother (feat. Dyson)
This album took a melancholy turn real quick. The most personal, heart wrenching track on the entire album, seriously this shit is sad. F.A.B. spits the 1st verse from his incarcerated brother's perspective, talking about how it ain't fair the F.A.B. ain't responding to his letter and how F.AB. treats him unfairly in general. This shit is fucking powerful...the most vivid verse about prison I've ever heard since hearing Lupe on the song "Prisoner 1 & 2". Then, on the last verse F.AB. spits from his perspective on his brother's behavior since he got released from prison. F.A.B. explains his attempts to make his brother successful but then laments on his own brother's decisions that eventually led him back to prison. F.A.B. actually admits that he grew numb to the fact that his brother is incarcerated. This is because as soon as he got released from prison he went right back to prison. But despite F.A.B.'s disdain for his older brother's decisions he still loves him, but he can't save him this time. He's gonna let his brother face the consequences of his actions regardless of how he might feel toward him. Such a fucking good track man, check this song out. It's about as deep as it gets on this album and for good reason too. The biggest highlight on this album.
21. Written in Blood (feat. J. Stalin & The Jacka)
J. Stalin and Jacka spit very personal verses about their own lives, and I like how vulnerable they're being on here. F.A.B. closes out the song (and the album) with a verse about missing a deceased loved one. The ending is rather abrupt as this is no extended outro of the instrumental (which is pretty good btw) but yeah, personally, I would've ended with the previous track "Brother to Brother" but overall not a bad way to end the album.
Overall, I can already tell this is gonna be in my top 10 projects for 2016 this year. Very rarely can ANYONE pull off a 21 track album, but god damn it! F.A.B. did it! Although I will admit that this feels more like a Mistah F.A.B. & Friends compilation album than an actual Mistah F.A.B. album. Album should've been titled "Mistah F.A.B. & Friends - Son of a Pimp, Pt. 2. But hey the features ALL do their thing, there wasn't one weak feature now that I think about it. F.A.B. got the hottest in the game (Kendrick, ScHoolboy etc.) as well as certified legends (E-40, Too $hort, Bun B, etc.) to new up and comers (G-Eazy etc.) to damn near everyone who worth's a damn imo. This shit is great, I'm gonna be bumping this album all year round. It is a little long though, I prefer shorter projects, but I'll damned if it isn't consistent. There was only really 2 tracks out of fuckin' 21 that I wasn't feelin. And the best part is those 2 tracks I wasn't feeling weren't even that bad lol
TL;DR Listen to this album if you haven't already! It's really good! This album is clearly gonna require more listens but on 1st impressions I give this shit a solid 7. Good job F.A.B.
Score: 7/10
Listen to "Son of a Pimp, Pt. 2" by Mistah FAB here.
written by Joseph Sanker II in 2016.
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Until next time! Peace out! One.
Written by Joseph Sanker II
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