By Odeisel

Between their second and third year, professional athletes have what is called “The Leap,” where their natural talent acclimates to the speed of their profession and their skills begin to complement their natural gifts. The repetition and the practice become ingrained in muscle memory and they become the stars they were projected to be. Fashawn has been in the game for a minute and has shown flashes of brilliance but not that sustained, high level necessary to REALLY put non-heads on notice. His latest track “Manny Pacqiao” has him looking like “The Leap” is upon him.

Queen’s “We Are The Champions” serves as his ring music as he recalls devastating punchers Mike Tyson and Tommy Hearns, and warns rappers of impending knockout. The last refrain of Mercury’s voice as he sings “woooorlld” is stretched out like a canvas atop brutal, hard-hitting drums and jabbing snares. An electric guitar bobs and weaves throughout the composition and subtle bongos lay beneath, ready to strike at any moment.

Fashawn is ferocious from the outset with nastiness in his voice and a chip on his shoulder. He’s got liquor in his veins and intent to destroy rappers; comparing himself to smooth velour while his competition is too-soft cashmere. He’s running a hundred miles in soft sand, training for the day he wipes his competition off the map. There is demeaning allegory to sissy rappers (ironic given his choice of sample) and no respect at all for rappers who can’t hang. Fashawn has put in the work, he’s fought the rounds and built his skill and now it’s time to reap the reward. The song closes with a knockout punch line, “A Pacquiao hook to your body, now that will make a n***a convert, Ali.”

Fashawn’s work on Ode to Illmatic was a clear indication that he was destined to be a special emcee. His performances, since then have been rangy. This track is evidence that he’s found his level and among young rappers in his weight class, that level is high, indeed. Championship level. If he keeps this up he’ll have titles across many weight classes. Just like “Manny Pacquiao.” Get a ringside seat.

Fashawn-Manny_Pacquiao

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