Fabolous’ new mixtape There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service was due out on New Years Day and then it was rumoured to be pushed back again because of the Haiti tragedy. Rejoice, because it’s finally here and you can now hear Fab do what he does best over Young Money’s Roger That. For example: “I DDT the pussy, I’m Jake The Snakin’ you/I put ‘em in the coffin, I’m the Undertaker too/She met the God, now her man gon’ meet his maker too.” [Download it via Nah Right / 2dopeboyz]

I’ve had the chance to listen to Amerie’s new album and so far, so good. More Than Love samples the Kool & The Gang track Summer Madness (Remix) and is easily one of the best songs from the album. Also, Fabolous was born to murder songs like this – it’s just too easy and these two need to work together more. Especially like the breakdown where they’re both arguing (Amerie: “Everytime I ask you the question, you give me a different answer” Fab: “Everytime I answer, you give me a different question”). Fingers crossed it’s the next single. [2dopeboyz]

Raekwon – Sonny’s Missing

Only Built For Cuban Linx II (2009)

[audio http://thecornernz.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/03-sonnys-missing.mp3]

This album just keeps getting better. I can’t say that any one track stands out, but ‘Sonny’s Missing’ features not only a favourite Pete Rock beat of mine (it was also used in PR’s last album, NY’s Finest), but it has The Chef over the top adding that gritty New York street-level mobster narrative. Now that’s a recipe for a standout track. Ever since ‘Sneakers’ off of Rae’s otherwise pedestrian Immobilarity (1999) the team has provided the knock.

Jay-Z – So Ambitious

Blueprint 3 (2009)

[audio http://thecornernz.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/14-so-ambitious-feat-pharrell.mp3]

Last summer Pharrell gave us ‘Announcement’ with Common on U.M.C; and this feels like it’s derived from the same batch of beats. But besides the new Clipse project, and this track, where the fuck has Pharrell been? Well he’s working on the KOL remix album, working with Snoop and Shakira and inked a new partnership with Cornerstone, the company who organised Pharrell, Santigold and Julian Casablancas to collaborate and move shit loads of shoes. Meanwhile, Jay-Z’s talking about his haters, and, getting older.

Mayer Hawthorne – The Ill’s

A Strange Arrangement (2009)

[audio http://thecornernz.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/09-the-ills.mp3]

I fell in love with the new vintage-soul sound when a friend introduced me to Mayer Hawthorne at the top of this year. The song was ‘Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out’ and it seemed to get everyone hooked. Somehow Hawthorne has crossed over to embrace the hip hop community while still appealing to the older generation. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s signed to Stones Throw, or maybe it’s due to his music being really good. You decide. ‘The Ill’s’ is the more upbeat offering on his debut and makes you wanna hit up your local swing dance class. Have a listen…..

Fabolous – Lullaby

Loso’s Way (2009)

[audio http://thecornernz.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/14-lullaby.mp3]

Fab always sounds best over these Street Fam beats (such as that on Tha Carter 3). This track is the middle road to Jay and Rae’s above, that over-engineered sound with that gangster talk and commercial appeal. People have talked of  his underrated flow and I’d agree that he does throw in some good lines from time to time. “I’m with a model chick Tyra thick, Heidi’s height, body suit, Spidey tight”. For the most part, especially on this track, his demeanour and authoratative presence on a track keep him relevant, along with his image etc. Straight gangster shit.

Ohio Players – The Funky Worm

Pleasures (1973)

[audio http://thecornernz.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/06-ohio-players-the-funky-worm.mp3]

Besides being one of the most sampled songs of all time, Funky Worm formed the backbone and sound of West Coast gangsta rap in the late 80′s and early 90′s. There is a list of over 50 artists that have used parts of the track, but here a few that you may be familiar with.

Snoop Doggy Dog – Serial Killa, Xzibit – Shroomz,  Kriss Kross – Jump, Dr. Dre – Chronic Intro, Dj Jazzy & The Fresh Prince – Boom Shake The Room, Redman – Cosmic Slop, Beastie Boys – Funky Boss, De La Soul – Me, Myself & I, Public Enemy – I Stand Accused, NWA – Dopeman, NWA – Gangsta Gangsta. The list goes on.

Classic Pete Rock Remixes – 1 of 5

Jeru The Damaja – Can’t Stop The Prophet (Pete Rock Remix)

[audio http://thecornernz.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/10-you-cant-stop-the-prophet-pete-rock-remix.mp3]

Fab also appeared in this short segment on MTV’s ‘Its On With Alexa Chung’. Is this guy hilarious or what? It’s worth watching just for the man’s one-liners alone. Like when he tells Drake to “watch his step” or when Alexa Chung asks when is the right time to go to Brooklyn and Fab says “anytime when it’s daytime.”

I really liked the audacity of Fabolous’ video for ‘My Time’. The entire concept of ‘Loso’s Way’ seemed to show off his renewed sense of direction and marketing manner. His new video for ‘Everything, Everyday, Everywhere’ featuring Keri Hilson (below) is a little more subdued, honing in on what makes a video work on whats left of MTV’s music segments. The song itself isn’t quite as strong as ‘My Time’ or the infectious ‘Throw It In The Bag’ but I’m sure Fab would like to tell you otherwise. It’s nice to see Keri Hilson getting some really great features lately as well. She suits this perfectly and she also looks amazing per usual.

Loso’s Way is some of Fabolous’ best work. Whether it’s his wordplay on lines like ”I’m cool and collected/a fool with perspective” or lamenting how his track with Ne-Yo is going to boost the population rate, he’s successfully managed to keep his fans happy. The majority of the tracks off ‘Loso’s Way’ also have a guest appearance on them. The artists on the album that Fab aligns himself with say a lot about his ability to market himself.

There’s big names like Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne and Keri Hilson and there’s also lesser know artists that keep him close to the underground like Red Cafe and Paul Cain. The album also see’s him working with some interesting producers. The-Dream’s work on ‘Throw It In The Bag’ is nothing compared to his last album ‘Love vs. Money’, which should be a contender for album of the year but it works perfectly as a single here. An artist who produces two tracks on the album (including ‘Everything’) is Ryan Leslie. Leslie’s been floating around the hip-hop/R’nB circles for awhile now, working with artists such as Cassie and despite his inconsistent albums he has the potential to make a real name for himself.

It looks like Fab also took a page out of Jadakiss’ book. Jadakiss sold more records than anyone thought he would in this first week and like Fabolous, he did it through simple marketing. Advertising Age posted an article on this earlier on in the year. For Fab it meant playing club shows weeks out from his release date, as well as endless radio show appearances and his ability to level with his fans via the internet. Next week we’ll find out if he can achieve the same level of success when his first week sales are in.