Fabolous – The Soul Tape 1 Review

Fabolous – The Soul Tape

Released: 21 April 2011

Pain: 3/5
Wolves In Sheep: 3.5/5
Really Tho: 3.5/5
That’s Not Love: 3.75/5
Leaving You: 3.5/5
In The Morning: 3/5 (the latina girl has a sexy voice, that’s pretty much the only redeeming quality about Fab’s version of this song)
Drugs (Do This To Me): 3.75/5 (“Drugs” – Lil Kim sample? I think so)
Yall Don’t Hear Me Tho: 3.75/5
Phone Numbers: 3.5/5
Mo Brooklyn Mo Harlem Mo Southside: 4/5
Riseling & Rolling Papers: 4/5
Slow Down: 4/5
Pay Back Music: 3/5 (bad punchlines all throughout this song)
*BONUS You Be Killin Em Pt 2: 3.75/5

Total: 3.5/5

     This tape does nothing for me. I came into this mixtape like I try to come into every album/mixtape – with no expectations. It makes for a more fair review. After listening to this piece, I don’t think any more or less of Fabolous as a rapper, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s definitely not good either. He’s not re-inventing himself. He’s not progressing as an artist.

On The Soul Tape, Fab seems complacent where he’s at as a hit-or-miss punchline rapper. This is not a bad release by any means, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for new Fabolous’ music. It’s just incredibly complacent. And to me, that’s not good enough. This is an extremely subjective review, but maybe it’s necessary for a rapper who’s been trying the same formula for a decade now.

VERDICT

★★★1/2: Good; a few bland songs or minor flaws throughout

     Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad…but it isn’t impressive in the slightest either.

– @TOP5RAPWEBSITE

Rating Categories:
★★★★★: Best in show; pinnacle release from an all-time great artist.
★★★★1/2: Stellar example of genre; peak potential.
★★★★: Excellent; recommended to all fans of artist or genre.
★★★1/2: Very good; a few bland songs or minor flaws throughout.
★★★: Good; fans of the artist will find value here.
★★1/2: Average; does little to establish the artist or maintain quality.
★★: Unexceptional; a few highlights but otherwise bland.
★1/2: Weak; unrecommended for anyone but major fans of the style and/or artist.
★: Seriously flawed; very poor work but relatively listenable.
1/2: Terrible; a true embarrassment and akin to audio masochism.