Real Talk [PA]

Performer: Fabolous
Artist: Sean Paul; Lil' Mo; Pharrell Williams
Engineer: Paul Gregory
Producer: Just Blaze; DJ Khaled; Javonn "JV" Alexander; Keith Wilkins; Roberto Fantauzzi; Reefa; Gerard Harmon; Scott Storch; Trackmasters; The Neptunes; Just Blaze
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Fabolous; Robert Larow, Jeremy Skaller, Scott Jacoby (keyboards); Lil' Mo, Mike Shorey, Nate Dogg, Paul Cain, Pharrell Williams, Sean Paul, Young Jeezy, Black Ice, Thara, Charlie Murphy. Recording information: Right Track Studios, New York, NY. Photographer: Jonathan Mannion. On Fabolous's third studio record, REAL TALK, he claims that there is much more to him than his string of radio-friendly singles might indicate. That's not to say that the New York City rapper doesn't serve up simple, ready-for-radio moments in abundance, but even the first single, "Breathe," with its Supertramp sample and unusual path to a stunning hook, reveals an artist with much more depth. "Don't Stop Won't Stop," which follows the striking intro, sports a sinister, Geto Boys-style backdrop and lyrics that embrace the familiar trappings of guns, cars, women, and pride, but with unexpected flashes of Zen beyond the usual laid-back bearing. Fabolous goes the more straightforward route on "Tit 4 Tat" and "Baby," both certainly capable of lighting up the radio. However, the highlight of REAL TALK may be on the mid-album track "Church," where, with the aid of the ever-entertaining Charlie Murphy, Fabolous envisions himself a preacher, a man who can convert people with the power of the words in his arsenal. Fabolous possesses a mind brimming with phraseology, and he brandishes his skills with power and ease, even as he continues to develop, making for an intriguing record rich with high hopes for the future.

Rolling Stone (p.172) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "'Breathe,' an epic Just Blaze production, is a small masterpiece of lyrical economy in the face of musical bombast."

While Fabolous's style is all about flash, there's nothing particularly showy, unique, or groundbreaking about the NYC rapper's game; however, with a knack for bringing out the best in some of hip-hop's top producers and a flow that is consistently, comfortably solid, Fabolous rose to become one of the '00s masters of the hip-hop jam. Singles like 2001's "Can't Deny It" and 2004's "Breathe" featured the MC's swaggering, dragging drawl over hook-heavy Bad Boy-style beats, and soared to the upper portions of both the rap and pop charts.

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