If you aren't familiar with
Fashawn by now, then, well, you're well behind the curve. If you don't know, Fashawn is the 'Grizzly City' (Fresno, CA) representer that has had listeners in a frenzy for the past few years. His "Boy Meets World" LP is heralded by many as the best album of 2009. He has been labeled as the next ______, but I hate comparisons like that. Fashawn has been murdering shit in his own right.
Earlier this summer, Fashawn released "
Ode to Illmatic", which displayed his ability to stand toe to toe with the legends. If you ask around the internet, the response you'll get about dude will be a testament to the work he has put in.
Today, Fashawn is releasing his newest effort, "
Grizzly City 3", which is a tape full of west coast sensibilities and very dope lyricism laid out across a soundscape that will suspend any responsibilities you may have as it pulls you in and demands your attention. The disc starts out with "Grizzly City Boy", which is a verbal onslaught strung out over soft synths and orchestral stabs; its very west coast, very new age, and very Fashawn. From there, Fashawn weaves in and out of consciousness over dope beats for the entirety of the disc.
"Grizzly City 3" has something for any and every ear. There are songs for the smokers ('Pass the Cohiba" & "Ride & Smokin"), songs for the radio heads ("The F" ft. Lil Wayne), joints for the ladies ('Maybe Tomorrow') and so on and so forth. There's no way to listen to this whole disc and not find yourself completely lost in music at least once, if not every time.
I feel that the one and only down side to this disc has to be the features. Fashawn has obviously grown in the game more than some of his counterparts, and though growth is always good, some of the features come off as unnecessary simply because of Fashawn's lyrical stature.
I feel that the standout track on the disc has to be the "Outro" where Fashawn spits unrelenting bars over Officer Ricky's "Free Mason" and really details his rise in the game while further setting himself apart from the pack.
Fashawn's "Grizzly City 3" is definitely one project you don't want to miss.
(Editor's Note: RefinedHype was granted an exclusive preview of the project. I'll be sure to update this post with a download link when it officially drops later today. In the meantime, enjoy what I believe to be the
world premier of the artwork and tracklist, and the mixtape's lead leak, 'Santiago's Revenge', underneath the tracklist.) UPDATE: "Grizzly City 3" will now be dropping this Friday on DJBooth.net.
