Those who’ve heard Fashawn’s album, Boy Meets World, already know he put forth one of 2009’s best releases. Adding to its cohesiveness, the project was exclusively produced by Exile.
So far this year, Fashawn saw his name on the upcoming XXL Magazine Freshmen 10, adding to his already impressive list of co-signs.
Fashawn impressively stood out from the rest of the group in his XXL Magazine freestyle, which touched on making a name for himself without major co-signs or gimmicks.
After seeing him perform this past weekend, at Santos in NYC, I can honestly say that his live show is impressive. I’ve never seen an out-of-town emcee get the type of positive response he received from the New York crowd.
Due to the snow and other various factors, the venue had just a moderate turnout. However, I could have sworn I was at a sold out show hearing the way the crowd cheered following every Fashawn song.
After his first NYC show, Fashawn met up with HipHopAtLunch.com to speak about being on XXL’s Freshmen list, the powerful song he dedicated to a deceased friend, and his upcoming remake of Nas’ Illmatic.
I’ve never heard anyone speak poorly of a meeting with KRS-one. The teacher has to be one of the most respected men in hip hop.
It’s cool to hear that the XXL Magazine photo shoot was the first place that Fashawn met most of his fellow “Freshmen” emcees. Hopefully this initail meeting will lead to many future collaborations, as I’d love to hear them work together!
Even though the powerful lyrics behind “When She Calls” give me chills after every listen, I never knew the song was dedicated to one of Fashawn’s best friends. A number of artists have told me they often stray away from performing their most personal tracks because of the way it makes them feel. I can respect this feeling, but I hope that one day Fashawn is able to perform “When She Calls,” as it would make for a great live show.
Fashawn – “When She Calls”
Fashawn did a great job portraying the male perspective on feeling betrayed in a relationship. Outside of the dark lyrics, the sample of Joanna Newsom’s “Cosmia,” is another reason this song gives me chills.
The song immediately demands your attention with the opening line; “when she called I had a knife to my wrist.” Fashawn proceeds to deliver the sad story, but ends the track with a positive message:
“Sometimes people get trapped in their mind,
They just want to escape,
But it feels like their stuck,
So we find ways to escape,
Some people even hurt themselves, some hurt others,
But it’ll be better tomorrow, it’ll all be better tomorrow,
I promise.”
One of the highlights of Saturday night’s performance was seeing Fashawn bring Chace Infinite and Curt@in$ on stage to perform “730″ for the first time. Here’s footage of the three emcees performing the DJ Khalil-produced track:
As mentioned in the interview, The ICU did a great job directing the official video for “730.” It’s extremely entertaining and creative, as most of Fashawn’s videos tend to be.
It’s true that the West Coast emcee’s visual lyrics may help directors come up with interesting concepts, but after checking out “Life As A Shorty” and “Pulp Fiction Part. 1,” you have to give props to the people behind the camera!
Shout out to Punit Dhesi who’s been doing Fashawn’s videos since day one!
Fashawn – “Memory Lane”
“Memory Lane” is the first track to leak off Fashawn’s latest project, where he’ll be remaking Nas’ Illmatic. It was interesting to hear that he hasn’t met Nas yet, but I’m sure the two will exchange words when the project’s complete.
After listening to Boy Meets World, you can’t help but make comparisons to an early Nas. Also the album cover which features a young boy, similar to that of Illmatic, doesn’t hurt!
Here’s an excerpt from Fashawn’s second verse:
“One for the mula, two for those maneuverin,
Three for Hennessy, toast to all of my houligans,
I rhyme smoother than lubricant, nobody slicker,
My intentions are to blow up and probably venture,
Into other avenues, other than the avenue,
I had to move, around too many fucked up attitudes,
My brother served time, and got plenty of battle wounds,
went in slightly innocent and came out animals…
Word to Christ, wasted years in the streets, I had to eat,
even got a 9 to 5, only lasted a week,
I mopped floors and worked the fire, watched brothers roll by,
And at 5, I ain’t have enough loot to buy a suit and tie,
I bumped into an old friend, slipped me an ounce on consignment,
Hit me with an assignment, now check it, uh,
Fuck rap, it’s real, if I didn’t have the skill I’d be in the court room waiting on an appeal,
The truest remain hotter than the bluest of flames,
Pour my 2-11 brew to my deceased crew in memory lane.”
I like that line about going into jail slightly innocent and coming out an animal. Here’s Nas’s original version.
Since Nas is one of his favorite rappers, I know Fashawn’s ode to Illmatic will see his best effort. Be sure to keep an eye on the Fresno emcee as he makes big moves this year.
Artists Tagged
Fashawn
Santiago Leyva
Label: Unsigned
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Due to his classic hip hop style, flow, and lyrical content, Fashawn has received a number of comparisons to a young Nasir Jones. These comparisons became even more rampant after the Fresno California native released his debut album, Boy Meets World, which featured album artwork similar to Nas’ Illmatic.
The success of Boy Meets World helped Fashawn grace the cover of XXL Magazine this spring as one of 2010’s artists to watch. Most recently, he re-worked Nas’ classic Illmatic, giving it a West Coast feel in Ode To Illmatic.
