Technically, nothing can go wrong with Fashawn presenting his second solo record »The Ecology« these days, considering that it comes with DJ Khalil, Alchemist and especially the timeless west coast gatekeeper DJ Exile on the music machines. There are countless props from journalists, street-smarts, overseaers and there’s the deal with Mass Appeal Records, fresh as a daisy, combined with executive support from God’s Son Nas himself. »Keep it regional? / I had no reason to«. Six years after his debut »Boy Meets World«, highly praised in indie-rap circles, the title has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. However, despite all the fuss, Fashawn keeps it real on »The Ecology«: »In an industry that’s saturated, but I’m glad I made it / I’ve seen anticipation turn to aggravation«, as he summarizes his status quo on »Higher«. Down to earth and in a mild and sampled manner, the organic sound takes up its morphological path across 13 tracks. On the side, Aloe Blacc and Nas ask for »Something To Believe In« in a homely soul-bap surrounding and Dom Kennedey intones the obligatory Caly-anthem »Golden State Of Mind«. In the oldskool-homage »Out The Trunk«, the artist asks if there was a problem with the volume. No matter if it’s Braggadicio or Lyricisim – Fashawn demonstrates that the title MC is not just a wikipedia entry to him. The only track that should have better been banned onto the next best teen-tearjerker is the cheesy coming-of-age-ode »Man Of The House«. Still, »The Ecology« is »JFK To LAX« in an album format. It’s a manifesto for globetrotter rap and proves once and for all that traditional HipHop-flora will outlive us all.
The Ecology
