Fashawn - Ode To Illmatic

Ok so here it is. Fashawn, the CA rhyme-smith has released a mixtape that is [as the title suggests] an Ode To Illmatic.

I downloaded it a few days ago but decided to let it percolate before posting it to the blog. Here's the deal, I like Fashawn - he's good but I LOVE Illmatic. So "redoing" Illmatic in any way would instantly activate the cringe-factor, similar to when you hear some X-Factor contestant massacre a Marvin Gaye classic - no matter how well they might sing.

So for the first few listens I was uneasy. Fashawn lacks the buttery smoothness to his delivery that cemented Nas' debut a classic. However, that's not to say that it's bad by any means. In an age of mediocre Hip Hop mixtapes being released at a rate that by the time you've finished downloading one there's a new one out - which ultimately leaves a lot of them instantly forgettable - this one will probably stick around a while.

A particular favorite of mine is the reinterpretation of Life's Bitch, where Talib plays the role of AZ and absolutely murks it.

So on the whole, once you let it breath a little and give Fashawn a chance to be himself over the classic bangers and not expect to hear Nas the album really grew on me. The one gripe I do have is that [and I know I'm not alone with this one] along with Gangstarr's Moment Of Truth [RIP Guru] I can't help but mouth the lyrics to every track, cuts and all. So I did find my self attempting to complete the verses with Nas' original lyrics and feeling slightly put out when Fashawn dropped his knowledge instead.

Illmatic...

Download HERE.