Murs and Fashawn: This Generation

For The Fan Presents:

Murs x Fashawn“This Generation” (2012) Review

Artist: Murs and Fashawn

Album: “This Generation”

Released: 2012

Genre: Hip Hop/Rap

Hip hop albums come across the pantheon of music business like falling teeth from a meth heads jaw. Awful, I know, but I just wanted to say that there are a lot of records that come out in this genre. So many, that you probably don’t remember most of the releases from the last few years. So many, that you probably could start a blog about this and not ever be done with reviewing just hip hop records that come out in one year. In fact, if you were to look at the release list of hip hop records from 2012 alone, it would rival the numbers of porno movies released in the same calendar year.

Everyone thinks they can rhyme, and it can be seen with the numbers of people trying to claw their way to the top with 16 bars and similes that make sense to very few. Fashawn and Murs are two guys that throw out rhymes in a way that you probably already heard before. Their bravado is a mix of telling you that they are the best, and stories from the hood, as well as little pieces of literary referencing that allows the suburbs to feel like they have a connection with the two rappers.

On this collaboration Murs and Fashawn release “This Generation” and they speak on a lot of topics that make you think twice about labeling this gangster rap. It is, but it isn’t. It’s called “BACKPACK” at times, and that’s because they aren’t talking about generic themes. With the exception of “64 Impala”, you may have a hard time comparing these guys to heavyweights like Rick Ross or even Drake. Those two may have a stranglehold on the mainstream, but these two guys unleash a flurry of rhymes that are relatable, poignant, and reference life in a way that most people won’t deny is relevant.

Not necessarily conscious, as they are not pushing the “Public Enemy” vibe, but they are definitely pointing towards something interesting, autobiographical even. For instance, Fashawn makes mention, “I could’ve kept selling perc had the worst career, no more snatching purses, I persevered…I came from the gutter…”. Murs on the other hand has done it all. He started from Mid-City (near my home town of Culver City, word life), and has put out a ton of records. He helps younger rappers and in this record he goes back and forth with Fashawn in a very mature approach. He steps away from “Murray’s Revenge” and gives a lot more explicit examples of street life and changing ways.

The beats are great, looping and sampling that is far more obscure than you’ll hear from anyone else. The rhyming is solid, not fast, and not trying to shoehorn into the sounds, it’s clean and clear. The whole message is a mix of making money and living life with an example of Generation X, Millenials, and so much more. Stand out tracks include “Just Begun”, “64’ Impala”, “Yellow Tape”, “Slash Gordon”, “This Generation” and “The Other Side”. The flows are impeccable, the timing is incredible, and it doesn’t feel like something that you are getting on rap radio, which is sad. It’s not auto-tuned, it’s a pure example of talented rhythms, beats, and vocal structure. Every attention to detail has been placed to create a flowing and eclectic rap record. It’s a shame that this is not #1, when hacks like Eminem and Jay-Z continue to talk about the same old topics.

Pros: Clean vocals, relevant rhymes, Murs’ bravado, Fashawn’s honesty

Cons: Not mainstream, not famous, too good for your average hip hop fan

Rating: 5/5

Links:

Mp3/Compact disc: "This Generation" via Amazon

Written by Sir Jorge