In 2014, Nas and Mass Appeal Magazine announced the formation of Mass Appeal Records. Since then, much of the buzz has been about rostermate Fashawn and the inevitable release of The Ecology. In 2009, the Fresno, California emcee made major headwaves with his debut Boy Meets World, making him a hot commodity on the Indie circuit. Prior to its release, Mass Appeal delayed The Ecology at least once — in October — to fully maximize the fully justifiable hype surrounding Run The Jewels 2. Now, it’s Fashawn’s turn.
The bulk of The Ecology deals with the hardships and obstacles he’s surmounted to reach this point in his career. From a troubled childhood (“To Be Young”), to his mother’s struggles with addiction (“Mother”), Fashawn is no stranger to resilience in the face of adversity. His storytelling and written voice are captivating, and the Exile-fronted production team establishes a mellow ambiance, frequently opting for piano and keyboard samples.
Average song time is around four minutes, which means The Ecology isn’t for the layman: Fashawn has a lot to to talk about. Setting the tone on the first track, “Guess Who’s Back,” he declares, “Art minus the easel, I’m unbelievable,” and then in the second verse, “Fash hotter than a favela in Guatemala / Eight baby mamas sittin’ in the sauna.” He achieves liftoff quickly, riding the momentum into track two, the sex-driven “Confess,” and holds his own alongside Nas on “Something To Believe In.” The latter track can only be called a lyrical field day.
With “Higher,” Fashawn’s personal content begins to define The Ecology. Speaking directly to the listener, he asks, “Do I need the recognition when I have the reputation? / You’re thinking entertainment, I’m thinking elevation.” That hunger for elevation is rooted in a tough childhood: his mother had a fierce addiction to crack, and his father was largely absent. On “Man of the House,” he raps, “When he wasn’t in the pen he was tryin’ to diss police / Tryin’ to get a piece of pussy instead of tryin’ to visit me / Damn, what a fatherly figure / When we met I was 15 and I hardly remember / Bitter, I was, admit, a tad bit / Spent 15 years wondering where dad went.” It may not be easy for Fashawn to speak on these topics, but he does so with grace, continuously piquing listener interest.
Piano samples are oft-utilized, but are by no means the sole mode of production. Exile, who produced all of Boy Meets World, has nine beats and achieves commendable diversity with his beat tempos and tones. “It’s A Good Thing” is a break from the album’s mostly high energy, with dulcet Latin guitar and vocal samples. “Out The Trunk,” on the other hand, is a banger that thrives with the fitting addition of Busta Rhymes on the hook. Other producers include Beewirks (“Guess Who’s Back”), DJ Khalil (“Something to Believe In”), Quincy Tones & Jo Caleb (“Man of the House”), and Alchemist (“Letter F”). All four bring their own styles to the table without sacrificing the continuity of the vibe.
The first half of The Ecology is Fashawn aptly going bar-for-bar. The second half is nostalgia, sentimentality, and self-reflection, all rolled into one. Fashawn’s sophomore release is a strong follow-up, six years in the making, that hits hard while preaching perseverance. Mass Appeal appears to be doing all the right things, and Fashawn is in a unique position on a roster ripe with young talent. The Ecology is the great second album he needed to keep trending upwards.
definitely deserved a 4.5, it’s right up there with boy meets world
DEEZ NUTZ, NIGGA!!!
Definitely a solid Album, well produced and lyrically driven/dope!!
This should get at least 4.5
on first listen i was a little let down to be honest… but after several spins i want to hear it more and more…
great project
Album was straight fire! Nothing off about this record at all! Backed by Exile once again and it hit hard.
This album is fantastic just what I wanted but not even Detox is worth the wait took to long to get here… 5 all around though Exile killed the production. Only thing missing is a Blu ft
Dope album beats 5/5 lyrics 4/5 cohesive 4/5= 4/5 DX got it right
Dope album but not groundbreaking kind of thing, damn Exile came thru with the beats fresh as hell. Fashawn lyrcis were dope but not outstanding wish Exile would’ve blessed this kind of beats for Blu, cuz I knw that guy can rip it. Beats 5/5 Lyrics 4/5 Cohesiveness 3.5/5= 4/5 Dx got it right!
I might be in the minority but I do enjoy Fash more than Blu.
Ex & Blu are classic, Surprised that Blu or Cole weren’t features on this album. Fash and Ex have a whole different dynamic then blu & ex. These beats were tailored for Fash though, and he ripped them.
its a great album but its kinda dated and not very innovative. It sounds like it could have been made 1998-2006.
4 stars
How is that a bad thing? I thought Hip Hop heads missed “old school?” The samples and beats in this are dope, just like they were in the 90’s
Maybe not as good as boy meets world, but still a strong record.
Hope you don’t let us wait another six years for the next one!
joey badass and fashawn have the released the 2 best albums of the last couple years.
Quality album
good
I listened once and I was kinda meh. But someone said spin 2 was where it was at, and I paid a little more attention and now I been blazing it during all my breaks at work and since I been home. I never knew about Fashawn until pretty recently because I subbed to mass appeal on youtube because of RTJ. I see why Nas of all people signed him up.
BEST ALBUM OUT RIGHT NOW, NAS GOT A GREAT TEAM ON HIS LABEL IM FEELING ALL OF HIS ARTISTS THEY JUST NEED MORE RECOGNITION
BEST ALBUM OUT RIGHT AT THE MOMENT, NAS GOT A GREAT TEAM OF MC’S ON HIS LABEL IM FEELING ALL HIS ARTISTS THEY JUST NEED TO GET MORE KNOWN NOW
This album is a 4.5/5 for sure. It’s also on the good side of that so if you could only rank it 4 or 5; this is a definite 5 mic. Nice to see Fashawn evolutionize through Boy Meets World/The Alchemist joint to the MURS/Fashawn era to The Ecology. Welcome to the “second tier” of current GOATS Fashawn along with KRIT, Killer Mike, Bronson, Logic, Black Thought.
Masterpiece. Every other rappper claiming they making good music should take notes on whats good music.
Yes
The Ecology…..Epic, classic…..Mazda G6 riding music…..Cellino & Barnes on speed dial…..Accident waiting to happen while banging this on the FDR Drive.
What’s funny is shit like this doesn’t get radio play and niggas don’t know him because of that. These lil niggas don’t know what they are missing this is music. Those tde niggas are good but they got commercialized. Kendrick’s sophomore album call it a classic all you want but its nothing like section #80. Same goes for school boy oxymoron was disappointing. Fash on the other hand keeps it real. Still does the same kind of shit that got him a buzz in the first place. Kendrick and school boy went from bangers like “Ronald Regan” and “my homie” to bullshit like “poetic justice” and “studio”. Lame and lazy where’s the creativity they had when they first hit the scene. It’s gone and replaced by shitty hooks and good beats. Y.g. and all them other dudes need to take a seat. The west has alot of talent that doesn’t get any shine fash, planet Asia,krondon, evidence, Ras kass, crooked I and whole shit load of other dudes that should be getting more recognition. But no these niggas mad because some nigga that can’t rap for shit didn’t get a Grammy.
You didn’t mention the illest MC from Cali today, LOCKSMITH, although Crooked I can make that argument as well I think Locksmith is a better artist and like Crooked I a super duper dope rhymer. Horseshoe gang is dope as well
Amazing!!
great album
5 stars
Phenomenal album!
My favorite album in the last 9months. Classic.
i like this
Great album
Dope album
Classic album
album is fire!
Lots of old school references (both lyrically and in the production) to look out for. Solid effort!
Can’t stop listening 2 it
bleh
naw
Solid effort, worth the listen.
Shit is definatly nice, but wasnt nearly as good as I expected after reading all the praise in the comments here
How can you give this album the same rating as ”If you’re reading this it’s too late”? This is obviously much better
listened to this after i heard him on the showoff radio, kid is nice
A classic in terms of lyricism and content Everything comes together beautifully.
this album is a classic.