Does the name Mistah F.A.B. sound familiar? It probably shouldn’t, because trust me, you haven’t heard of him. Mac Dre gave his endorsement to many Oakland and Vallejo artists, but unlike Lil’ Bruce and the Cutrthoat Committee, the largely unknown Mistah F.A.B. shows the talent worthy of the ‘Mac Dre Presents’ sticker on the album cover.

Much Bay Area rap struggles for acceptance, and the one-dimensional nature of most artists is partly responsible. Bay rappers tend to either go the way of the sentimental, conscious MC or the hard and hyphy gangsta, with little gray area. Mistah F.A.B. has bravely released an album with street bangers like “Kicked Out The Club” and “N.E.W. Oakland” right next to more introspective tales such as “The Mama Song” and “Where’s My Daddy.” This sort of “ode to family” can get cliched, but each heartfelt track is so candid that it doesn’t feel trite in any way.

Bay Area heavyweights E-40, Yukmouth, and Messy Marv lend a hand, but F.A.B. shines by himself, particularly on the perfectly executed “If ‘If’ Was a Fifth.” F.A.B. asks a series of “what if” questions covering topics from George Bush to Jerome Bettis, creating a playful, but insightful track rivaling Jada’s “Why.” Mistah F.A.B. possesses that rare ability to be both street and sensitive, and Son of A Pimp shows that he has some of the most potential anywhere, not just in the Bay.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Boss Ditties: “If ‘If’ Was A Fifth,” “City Limits,” “Where’s My Daddy”