Fabolous - Ghetto Fabolous (CD)

All Music Guide

The path to Fabolous' debut, “Ghetto Fabolous", reads like an instruction manual on how to manufacture a hip-hop star; influential connections (DJ Clue), and the ability to network the RB circuit: see appearances with Lil Mo, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige. And while it may seem that “Team Fabolous" has crossed, and dotted all the appropriate T's and I's. The only thing they overlooked is the spelling of his name---too many wheels to grease to worry about such trivial matters. Holding true to current industry formulas, "Ghetto Fabolous" is an LP where the stars collide. Inevitably, they are the same stars that frequent what seems to be an ever-expanding list of acquaintances; with Fabolous just being the latest inductee of this fraternity. You have production from the usual suspects: Clue Duro, Rockwilder, Timbaland, and a prerequisite slab of the Neptunes signature bounce. Yet, these highly sought after hit-makers all slide Fab lukewarm tracks. Yet, being the responsible AR that he i...s, DJ Clue is deft enough to enlist hook maestro Nate Dogg for the LP's cute lead-single “Can't Deny It", and have Ja Rule make a sparse appearance on “Ride For This." With carefree flow, and nursery styled rhymes in tow, Fab is a hybrid of Nelly, and Mase, as he mixes equal parts of cleverly strung together phrases, with an undeniable thuggish charm. Fabolous is a definitive case study of what is wrong (conformist nature), and right (mass appeal) with Y2K hip-hop. However, unlike Outkast, or Eminem, Fab never finds the delicate balance that intertwines both of these worlds, as his debut falls short of creating music that is both accessible (yes), and creative (no). - Matt Conaway, All Music Guide Read more Less