Released in 2000, the single 'What's Up, Fatlip'? addressed an obvious question'what has the former Pharcyde MC been doing since leaving the group after Labcabincalifornia's 1995 release. On that track, Fatlip sorted through the wreckage of his career and personal life over poppy piano beats. His excruciating self-analysis cut against his delivery and the bright production, creating a brilliant single that promised his future solo album would be worth the wait.
After five more years, The Loneliest Punk is finally here. Few albums can bear the weight of ten years worth of anticipation, and Punk falls just short enough that frustration is a more likely initial reaction than satisfaction. While one cannot help but wish Fatlip had been churning out albums all these years, Punk should not go under appreciated'it is an intriguing and quirky album that illustrates why people are still asking the rapper 'what's up' after all these years.
Topically, the album can be considered an expanded version of the aforementioned 2000 single (which is included on Punk). Fatlip brings his energetic flow to all the personal issues plaguing him'women problems, lack of money, living with his mom and abandonment by his friends. Fatlip's lyrics and manic style mesh well with the beats, which feature a delicious amount of influence from funk, blues and jazz. While working through his troubles on the mic, Fatlip makes Punk sound like playtime as often as it sounds like therapy.
As for what's most responsible for the album's wait, Fatlip is brutally honest''I coulda been a legend like Big and Pac / but I caught a bad case of writer's block.' Instead of turning 'Writer's Block' into a winking meta-joke about how long the album has taken, Fatlip morphs it into a commentary on popular rap. Despite how much it may benefit him financially, he is hesitant to take on the false gangsta rap he sees in others''Talk gangsta when you really ain't one / last gat you blasted was a paint gun ... I never been shot or been to jail / but I'm beginning to wish I had been / just to put it down on a pad with a pen.'
As for guest appearances, Jurassic 5's Chali 2na shows up on 'Today's Your Day.' The stability of Chali's bassy flow beautiful contrasts with Fatlip's angry denials of crack use and a chorus that threatens to wail out of control at any moment. The humorous strip club track 'Freaky Pumps' features Digital Underground's Shock G and Humpty Hump. Besides being hilarious, it's got a powerfully funky synth beat emblematic of Punk's entire sound, which is reminiscent of the mid-late '90s without imitating it. Punk is certainly unlike most hip-hop hitting this year.
The brilliance of 'What's Up, Fatlip'? was in the rapper's wrenchingly honest hopelessness. Despite continued self-deprecation, Fatlip does see potential success waiting around the corner on The Loneliest Punk, and it does prevent a few tracks from reaching the level of 'What's Up, Fatlip'? or 'Writer's Block.' But that is no serious flaw'Punk is a satisfying release, and will leave most listeners hoping the Southern California MC doesn't need another ten years to release his next piece of work.
