anthony obi (fat tony) has been a good friend to weworemasks for quite some time, and during a conversation with him today, we concluded that i was basically an asshole for not having reviewed his debut album. i mean he didn’t say it or anything, but i certainly felt it. that being said, i dedicated a good chunk of my evening listening to his debut LP and writing this review.

if you’re from houston, he’ll be hosting a CD release party at the mink on november 26th, and soon after, will be hosting the second annual black christmas event. BC will also be at the mink on december 17th, so if you’re a local and a fan, do your best to make it out to those shows. in the meantime, hit the jump for the review of fat tony’s LP, and download it while you’re down there.

-grizzly

Artist: Fat Tony
Album: RABDARGAB
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Record Label: Unsigned

Anthony Obi, or Fat Tony, has been through his fair share of hardships to release his debut record. For starters, this project is three years in the making. Throughout the years, releases such as The Creation of Fat Tony, the Love Life EP and The EPreview were able to tide his loyal followers over until the the debut LP arrived. Between the mixtapes and the endless slew of shows he plays regularly, there was very little slacking off in the Fat Tony camp.

RABDARGAB is Tony’s first born. An acronym for a local program that enticed kids to “Read a Book, Do a Report and Get a Buck,” the title is both unique and clever in its homage to Houston, and there’s little doubt a better one could’ve been mustered up. As far as the album itself goes, Tony enlisted the famed Atlanta Producer Tom Cruz (formerly of Warner Bros. Record act Supreeme), who produced the album entirely, providing a fluid and cohesive foundation.

As an emcee, Tony has learned to embrace and separate himself from the Houston influence altogether. He’s managed to find the perfect in-between to the overindulgent candy-paint, tippin on 4-4s rap and the more conscious leanings of hip-hop. Songs like “Nigga U Ain’t Fat” and “Luv It Mayne” really embrace both sides, with each respective hook having impressions of the former, and his lyrically sufficient influences of the latter. “Luv It Mayne” was also a culmination of his career thus far, as he was able to have the track graced by the critically-lauded L.A. emcee Murs, who also happens to be one of his personal idols.

As far as the rest of the record goes, listeners will flock towards songs like “Lotus,” which is Tony’s most lyrically impressive, or “My Babe,” whose elegant adolescence and fanfare is bound to be a live-show staple. On the other hand, songs like “Rap Babies” leave things conflicted. While the concept of the song is a relatable one for any avid hip-hop fan, the cluttered sampling/production and the addition of two more emcees congest the track a bit. Because Tony’s loyalties lie within the confines of his hometown, there are a few songs that could polarize potential fans. You have Houston loyalists who love having the city put on, while listeners in (for example) San Francisco or Phoenix couldn’t possibly care or understand lines about Mangos and the Mink, two local hotspots. (see: “Home”)

Regardless, Fat Tony’s only now getting his footing. Everything he’s released and all of his work has led to this point in time. From here on out, he’s destined to grow and progress as both an artist and a performer. From his humble beginnings in the Third Ward of Houston to folks like Bun B claiming Fat Tony is “Houston’s best kept secret,” his stock will only continue to rise. For now, he’ll have to continue his hustle in hopes of turning heads.

Grade: 7.2/10

Most importantly, if you’re curious about the record after reading the review, then do yourself a favor and download the record. It’s free and you literally have nothing to lose besides a few clicks. And if you really want to be a BAMF, then stream a few cuts and buy the damn thing.

DOWNLOAD RABDARGAB by FAT TONY.