There are few things better in life than coming across an album that stirs the emotions that classics like Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, All Eyez On Me, and a slew of other hip-hop records from the early to mid 90’s did on their initial and more importantly, subsequent plays. Nothing today is quite like that amazing time period where mainstream hip-hop was the shit, in addition to the semi-underground or straight up underground. These days, most of the music worth listening to is found in the underground scene, which is fine I suppose, as long as good hip-hop continues to be crafted in some form. An example of underground hip-hop, and in this case, an example sometimes scorned as “backpacker” rap for not having the raw and gritty gangsta theme behind it, Below the Heavens by Blu & Exile just might be my favorite hip-hop album of the past ten years because of the personal down to earth subject matter, along with the great flow and rhymes of Blu and superb beats by Exile. The best hip-hop is usually about something and when listening, if I can tell the artist poured their heart and soul into their work, I’ll fall in love with it. So is the case with Fashawn’s Boy Meets World.
When I listen to an album, I try my best to almost always play it straight through with no interruptions. Obviously, if I stop the album at some point for a non-important reason, it is unlikely it has captured me. An album like this is a treat because you don’t want to stop, even if something important did come up. You want to listen, and then listen again right afterwards. I love it because this doesn’t happen a lot. I know some people have problems hailing something as a classic if it is too new or if not enough time has passed to let it truly sink in. There is some merit in these viewpoints, but personally, I can’t remember a time where an album hooked me like this and months or years later I still don’t listen to it, so why wait to enshrine it? To be honest, only when my opinion is low on something does it ever change dramatically. Time in that case lets it grow on me, The Blueprint 3 being a decent example of the past year or so. For an album I initially found exceedingly average, I play it a bit too often now because it is fun to listen to.
So enough with debating a new album’s classic candidacy. Why do I love Boy Meets World so much? Why did it resonate so strongly that I felt the need to write a blog about it mere days after first listening to it? It has all the ingredients I find necessary to make a masterpiece. Fashawn is very capable on the mic, with a nice flow, great rhymes, and raps about meaningful subject matter. About 60% of the record’s 15 tracks are handled completely by Fashawn and the rest have guest appearances, which is a nice healthy mix. I hate when an album has a guest on every track; I like to see how the artist can do on his own. Fashawn succeeds easily, with or without anybody else sharing the mic. Everyday life in California is covered, growing up and family issues, social commentary on ecology, asking out a girl who is out of your league, the pain of a woman you love cheating on you, just nice, good (or not so good) normal, everyday subject matter about regular people that everyone can relate to. Overall, it is one of those albums that evoke feelings inside you and makes you think about stuff. As for the production, it is very good. It has lots of instruments, especially the piano and horns, so that’s practically an instant winner for me. I’m coming to really like Exile’s work, first on Below the Heavens and now on this.
When I listen to an instant classic like Boy Meets World, I feel very conflicted. On one hand, I feel more people need to hear this record. Someone as talented as Fashawn deserves to make it big. On the other hand, not having everyone know about it gives it a more special and personal feel. I go for the middle ground, letting other hip-hop heads know about it or giving props to the people who did mention this album online. Does it dethrone Below the Heavens or even Charles Hamilton’s The Pink Lavalamp for my favorite material of the decade? Well, that is something I will need time with. What I am sure of is that with new favorite emcees like Fashawn and Blu hailing from California, and my girl living there, my heart really seems to be out there these days.
Top 5 Songs:
5. Lupita
4. When She Calls
3. The Ecology
2. Hey Young World (Feat. Aloe Blacc & Devoya Mayo)
1. Samsonite Man (Feat. Blu)
GRADE: 71/75= 94.7%
