September 13th, 2011 is not that far away. And that's when the new Fabolous album, Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power will be hitting shelves around the world, as well as iTunes and other digital download sites' servers. But what can we expect from this album, less than a month away from it's intended release date? The first single hasn't been released yet, leading one to believe that just maybe the album is getting pushed back, yet again, despite Fab wanting it to be released right around the ten year anniversary of his debut album, Ghetto Fabolous. Instead of focusing on the negative, or the lack of a positive in regards to album release, let's look at what we do have. The mixtapes There is no Competition 2, the S.O.U.L. Tape. In addition, we have guest verses on various tracks and albums. There's a lot to be seen there, a lot to be heard.
TINC2 and the subsequent EP have been named in a number of different top ten lists for 2010. The S.O.U.L. Tape was well received and will be given a good look probably at end of year lists for this year. Fab's been feeding and feeding the demand for music and he has a number of guest verses under his belt since Loso's Way was released. We have the excellent Lloyd Banks' Start it Up from 2010, and Fab was chosen by DJ Drama to be one of the headliners on the Oh My cut, the first song from Drama's third album. So what can we expect from the album? What can we hope, for the album?
Fab will be continuing his Loso's Way series, a melding of his life story and Carlito's Way the movie. We will definitely see a collaboration with Ryan Leslie, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Everything they've done together, from Leslie's shelved album to Everything, Everywhere, Everyday with Keri Hilson has been musical gold. The two share a creative genius when it comes to the music that they do together. Another of Fab's prior relationships will be involved in the album, Red Cafe, Paul Cain, and other members of the Street Fam group.
I hope that Fabolous is able to reach out to old friend Joe Budden and possibly through Budden, be able to work with the rest of Slaughterhouse. You never know, down the road that might be able to develop into a good Fabolous x Eminem collaboration. Production wise, since Street Dreams, Fab has always had at least one Just Blaze song on his album. This trend needs to continue, as Loso's way Lullaby which had not only Just but Alchemist behind the boards was one of the better beats on the album.
Throw in a few of the Fab standbys, and it sounds like a good album. But now, Fab needs to step up, go beyond what we're used to hearing from him. Thanks to Start it Up, he's developed a better relationship with G-Unit. A good New York anthem could be good, with 50 and Banks. As a rapper that effortlessly moves between camps, even feuding camps, I'd like to see a concrete album quality collaboration between Fab and Nicki Minaj. Also, you know that a Fab x Drake song has to be in the works.
Star studded albums are something that tends to be a trend nowadays. I think that despite the possible collaborations I've listed, that Fab can and should make more of a true solo album. Have a few guests here and there, but make sure that they count. Fab easily takes people on journeys with each 16, and I think that Loso's Way 2 has the possibility of being one of his best albums to date. With less than a month away, it's only a matter of time.
