As it turns out Nas isn’t the only high profile free agent acquisition that President Carter has secured during his tenure as HNIC at Def Jam. Guyanese raised and Brooklyn bred MC F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S just happens to be another hit hunter added to the most prestigious hip hop label ever. Throughout his this side of the millennium old career Fab has seamlessly flirted with the upper echelon of rap superiority. It just seems like he can’t really come with a solid enough album to reaffirm his usually earth pounding singles. Remember “Breath”? With his latest From Nothin To Somethin Fab is pushing to have his name mentioned with the greats on the strength of what could very well be his breakthrough effort. One thing’s for sure it’ll either be all or nothing, only time will tell though, about 70 minutes to be exact!

Producers Reefa and Freebass provide more than enough backing on the albums opening efforts “From Nothin To Somethin” and “Yep, I’m Back” for Fab to spit his signature lazy braggadocio aura over. Akon lends his no lose concoction of horns, percussions, and vocals to the hater proof anthem “Change Up”. Timbaland lands another hit for his current streak with the bouncy Ne Yo assisted second single “Make Me Better”, the duo come up with a feel very reminiscent of Fab’s earlier R&B laced favorites. Fabolous sticks to his R&B guns over Jermaine Dupri’s 80’s influenced basslines and alongside T-Pain’s effortless soul singing on “Baby Don’t Go”. Swizz Beatz adds his energetic chants on the Just Blaze produced probable third single “Return Of The Hustle”. Producer Reefa shows up again to high prevail on the album’s high point “Gangsta Don’t Play”, the track is cleverly punctuated by Junior Reid’s island lingo. Fab’s new label mate Rihanna plays the role of Lil Mo on the sappy a-playa-needs-love-too offering “First Time”. Though “Diamonds” originally featured a verse from the “best rapper alive” Lil Wayne, yea right, its another one of Fab’s labelmates who turns in the feature as Young Jeezy offers his services over Steve Morales’ climaxing and bending bass drops.

El Presidente Carter and new signee Uncle Murda lend assistance on the 07 home borough anthem “Brooklyn”. The Aphiliates aphiliated Don Canon lays a signature pounding east coast tailored backdrop on the Pusha T assisted “Jokes On You”. Lil Mo and Fab keep there streak alive as she shows up for the soulful and inner cleansing “What Should I Do” as Fab plays the part of a psychologist as he listens to the problems of several of his friends and fans. In true late 90’s Def Jam fashion the album ends with a barrage of new talent from the likes of Paul Cain, Freck Billionaire, Red Cafe, Joe Budden and Ransom on “This Is Family”.

Fab once again manages to produce a cleverly well rounded album with From Nothin To Somethin. Though he can honestly say he has more material worthy enough for hit appraise this still isn’t the breakthrough album that he should’ve put out a few years ago. Nonetheless Fab shows once again that he can perform with the best of them, though he should be exploring being the best with his apparent talent and hit making abilities. Fab has made it this far but he’s showing that Lebron isn’t the only one struggling during finals time!

VERDICT – 12 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 3
DELIVERY: 3
CONSISTENCY: 3