FASHAWN
Boy Meets World
(One Records)
At a time when the game is dominated by 30-something rappers, we sometimes forget that hip-hop is the music of the youth.
Twenty-year-old Fashawn’s debut album, the Exile-produced Boy Meets World, represents that vital element, telling the story of a young man from Fresno, California, trying to avoid poverty’s pitfalls and rise above his circumstances. On “Intro,” the album’s opening skit, young ’Shawn turns down a chance to hustle for a shot at a rap career, before bragging about his ferocious flow (“I can turn a whole metropolis into a peninsula/Ink-pen emperor, slang remain infinite”) over Exile’s chopped-up organ and swollen bass groove.
Though he’s adept at boasting (see: “Bo Jackson”), Fashawn’s real strength is his ability to articulate the inner struggles of a good kid from a bad place. “Where I’m from, brothers die every day, sunny CA/Learn the ecology on how we behave,” he spits over Exile’s dramatic string sample on “Ecology.”
In sharp contrast to the album’s somber tone is “Hey Young World.” Here we have Fashawn, barely out of adolescence himself, reminding those younger than him that their dreams are within reach. Featuring requisite guest appearances from the likes of Blu (“Samsonite Man”), Evidence (“Our Way”) and Planet Asia (“The Score”), Boy Meets World is a strong debut from such a young MC, and it resonates a lot more than the work of some rappers decades his senior. –TIMMHOTEP AKU
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August 13th, 2009
at 10:26 am
Pierzy says:
Yet another artist I’ve never heard of. XL is a big rating for a new artist…
I wonder what Rae & Ghost would have to say about the cover. “N****s bit off of NaS’ shit”
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 1:37 pm
B says:
ur sleepin under a rock
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 3:16 pm
Pierzy says:
I admitted as much…
(Comments wont nest below this level)
September 4th, 2009
at 2:38 am
miguel aka el mexikano says:
yo son your hella sleepin on fashawn. this nigga got mad spits. im from the same town as him. he mad koo
Reply here
August 13th, 2009
at 4:04 pm
Joe Banks says:
you gotta be a lame ass mutha fucka to not know who he is! and FUCK GHOST & RAE they both turnt soft!
Reply
August 18th, 2009
at 4:22 pm
$ykotic/Don McCaine says:
I don’t think cats really read your statement P.
He’s good $ though…
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 12:37 pm
SleepyboiEnt says:
Fashawn Most likely (because i havent heard the cd yet) deserves XL its not much keepin the cali rap scene winning and he’s ah big reason for the “hopeful” return Pierzy check out his mixtapes and you’ll understand he ah very gifted artist.. (while ur at it pick up sumthin from J.Cole as well.)
http://twitter.com/SleepyBoient
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 12:40 pm
lol says:
Always have to give the new up-coming people a shot If not then how would he/she know if there good enough to follow their dreams come on 50 cent,method man,dr dre,the game they all are not going to live on forever so we have to open up to new music so that way dreams can be achieved pierzy
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 12:49 pm
Pierzy says:
If anything, I was talking about myself not knowing about dude who must be at least decent if he has an XL rating.
I was speaking on how there are new artists - some with talent - that I’ve been sleeping on. Nothing against Fashawn or other new cats…
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 1:25 pm
XXLmag.com – » Fashawn: Boy Meets World | kozmom news says:
[...] See the rest here: XXLmag.com – » Fashawn: Boy Meets World [...]
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 1:39 pm
lol says:
Thats cool no disrespect its just I get pretty tired that no one gives new comer’s a chance ,I say if you dont then how the hell is anyone going to make it? or follow there dreams well I hope my point got acrossed here i’m not saying that i’m right or wrong I just wish people stoped hating and fucking showing love to the new talent people are “pouring” there hearts into you feel me
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 1:39 pm
olliekid says:
can’t wait to get this. Fashawn is the best new artist out.
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 1:47 pm
oNe says:
Fashawn is dope, everything i’ve heard from him so far is amazing..he is hands down one of the best emcees coming out of cali right now, definitely looking forward to this, not to mention it was produced by Exile, he is a monster on the beats.
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 3:33 pm
moonshine says:
i know the kid personally and its good to see tht the world is lookin @ FRESNO now and not just l.a or the bay whn thy speak of california’s hip-hop/rap scene.. keep it lit fash! we on our way up! 559 stand the fuk up!!! and while we’re on the topic be on the look out for “ILLEGAL KARTEL” the next to break out from FRESNO.. fashawn would tell you bout em
MOONSHINE
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:02 pm
Fashawn - Boy Meets World (Artwork) | 2dopeboyz says:
[...] Here goes the artwork for Fashawn’s upcoming album (entirely produced by Exile), Boy Meets World, which is now said to drop on October 20th. Hit the jump for a larger version and check XXL’s review here. [...]
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:05 pm
k.pizzle says:
Fashawn Is The Truth!!! Props!!
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:40 pm
JOHN says:
THIS ART COVER IS GARBAGE HE LOOKS GAY WITH BUBBLES ON THE COVER,HE WAS A YOUNG HOMO FASHAWN HIS NAME SOUNDS LIKE A BLACK DRAG QUEEN.
Reply
August 18th, 2009
at 8:46 am
cool_cat_lennox says:
u would know being a john>? lol
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:47 pm
AntEscrow says:
Hmmmm i wonder if they covered Blu’s ”Below the Heavens” ?
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:56 pm
Fashawn - Boy Meets World (Artwork) says:
[...] Here goes the artwork for Fashawn’s upcoming album (entirely produced by Exile), Boy Meets World, which is now said to drop on October 20th. Hit the jump for a larger version and check XXL’s review here. [...]
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 5:53 pm
Hip Hop At Lunch | A Daily Hip Hop Blog And Email says:
[...] Fashawn has given us the album artwork for his upcoming album entitled Boy Meets World. Check out our preivous artist feature for more on Fashawn. More on XXLMag.com [...]
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 6:49 pm
SpencerUtica says:
The Phenom! Getting more and more well deserved recognition err day. Fashawn is the tr00f, and like was said above, if you ain’t peeped, you’re sleeping and you need to get on it.
Hell, if you read XXL and haven’t heard of Fash, you’re sleeping..
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 7:55 pm
Nate says:
I had heard of dude, so I’m glad to see XXL’s rating. It’s rare enough someone a XL these days, especially a young artist never gets a XXL, so this cosign means it’s safe to pick it up.
Fresno has been the home also of Planet Asia who has dropped many gems but gets slept on sometimes by the East/South. Should be interesting to compare Fashawn’s style to Planet Asia. Fresno artists collab with both LA/BAY but it goes to show Cali has got a lot of talent all over the state.
Reply
August 14th, 2009
at 1:48 am
GO-Getta' says:
Also Common,Biggie,Weezy etc have all in their careers bitten Nas album cover. Why dudes keepin’ doing that?
Reply
August 14th, 2009
at 5:33 am
Lo-Uie says:
this dude is helaa dope!!!
Reply
August 15th, 2009
at 10:49 pm
hate says:
fashawn been madd nice. i ain’t know he was only 20 tho. that makes him even iller
Reply
August 22nd, 2009
at 9:24 am
cottonmouth says:
im from sweden and even i heard bout fashawn.
good shit.
Reply
August 23rd, 2009
at 9:59 am
stephen gibson says:
I’m more excited about this album droping than blue print 3. Fashawn is the future of hip hop.
Reply
August 27th, 2009
at 6:33 pm
Crazy-S. says:
Fashawn’s been official-it’s good to see him finally be properly recognized for his music & his talent. Somebody gotta keep the west crackin’ in hip-hop, right?
Reply
August 28th, 2009
at 10:19 pm
Prince Caesar says:
I’ve only heard this dude on Evidence’s “The Far Left” and he spit a lil fire on that joint. I’ll definitely check this shit out cuz I got a feeling that this guy is kinda nice. Also, I’m tired of all of these wack ass new rappers like Drake and every new wack nigga from the south.
Reply
September 14th, 2009
at 7:07 am
Nehemiah says:
@Pierzy LOL he did bite off Nas shit! LOL Illmatic’s cover that is…as far as an MC he totally deserves the XL. Yo lol u right everybody deserves a chance cuz thats how hip hop is u csn turn nothing into something just off grinding and spittin the truth. Real recognize real and Fashawn is da real deal.
Reply