Something to Believe In (Fashawn song)

"Something to Believe In" is a song by American rapper Fashawn, with guest appearances by Nas and Aloe Blacc.^[1] It was released on February 19, 2015 as a single from Fashawn's second studio album The Ecology.^[2] The song is produced by DJ Khalil.^[3] It has received positive critical reception and is also featured on the soundtrack for the video games Madden NFL 16 and WWE 2K16.^[4]^[5]

Background and development

The song came to fruition after Fashawn signed to Nas' Mass Appeal Records.^[6] According to Fashawn, the original instrumental was part of an unreleased collection of material held by Aloe Blacc and his band.^[3] Aloe Blacc sent the instrumental to Fashawn, who then recruited DJ Khalil to put together a newer version that contained a more hip-hop feel. Coincidentally, both Fashawn and Nas wrote their verses while touring separately in Europe. In an interview, Fashawn reflected upon the song's creation by saying, "I felt like it was the perfect canvas to paint on and epitomizes what we stand for in rap."^[3]

Critical reception

Elias Leight of Billboard commended "Something to Believe In" for preserving hip-hop's history of being grounded in soul and funk.^[2] Alicia Miller of Zumic stated that "Fashawn and Nas both drop deep bars in their verses and Blacc croons on the hook with thought-provoking lines".^[7]

Popular culture

"Something to Believe In" appears on the soundtrack for the video game WWE 2K16 by 2K Sports, released on October 27, 2015.^[5] The song also appears on Madden NFL 16 by EA Sports, released on August 25, 2015.^[4]

References

↑ "Fashawn "The Ecology" on iTunes".
1 2 "Exclusive Song Premiere: Fashawn's 'Something to Believe In' ft. Nas & Aloe Blacc". billboard.com. 2015-02-19.
1 2 3 "Fashawn Details How "The Ecology" Inspired Nas To Rap Again". hiphopdx.com. 2015-02-23.
1 2 "Listen to the Madden NFL 16 Soundtrack". easports.com. 2015-08-03.
1 2 "WWE 2K16 Soundtrack Now Available". wwe.com. 2015-08-14.
↑ "XXL Magazine - Nas Signs Fashawn to Mass Appeal Label". xxlmag.com. 2014-07-09.
↑ ""Something to Believe In" – Fashawn ft Nas & Aloe Blacc". zumic.com. 2015-02-20.

Fashawn

Studio albums	Boy Meets World (2009) The Antidote (with The Alchemist) (2009) This Generation (with Murs) (2012) The Ecology (2015)

EPs	FASH-ionably Late (with The Alchemist) (2014)

Mixtapes	Higher Learning Vol. 2 (2011) Champagne & Styrofoam Cups (2012)

Songs	"Something to Believe In"

Related	Discography

Nas singles discography

Illmatic	"Halftime" "It Ain't Hard to Tell" "Life's a Bitch" "The World Is Yours" "One Love"

It Was Written	"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" "Street Dreams" "The Message"

The Firm: The Album	"Firm Biz" "Phone Tap"

I Am...	"Nas Is Like" "Hate Me Now"

Nastradamus	"Nastradamus" "You Owe Me"

Stillmatic	"Rule" "Got Ur Self a Gun" "One Mic"

God's Son	"Made You Look" "I Can" "Get Down"

Street's Disciple	"Thief's Theme" "Bridging the Gap" "Just a Moment"

Hip Hop Is Dead	"Hip Hop Is Dead" "Can't Forget About You"

Life Is Good	"Nasty" "The Don" "Daughters" "Cherry Wine"

Soundtrack singles	"Escobar '97" "Less Than an Hour"

Collaborations	"Did You Ever Think" "Hot Boyz" "Oochie Wally" "Thugz Mansion" "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)" "Too Many Rappers" "Ghetto Dreams" "Champion" "Something to Believe In"

Other songs	"N.Y. State of Mind" "One Time 4 Your Mind" "Ether" "Be a Nigger Too" "N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)" "Let Nas Down"

Aloe Blacc

Discography

Studio albums	Shine Through (2006) Good Things (2010) Lift Your Spirit (2013)

Extended plays	Wake Me Up EP (2013)

Singles	"I Need a Dollar" "Loving You Is Killing Me" "Green Lights" "The Man"

Featured singles	"Wake Me Up" "Something to Believe In" "Verge"

Related articles	Stones Throw Records

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