MISTAH F.A.B. WITH KEV CHOICE

Oakland’s own Kev Choice—pianist, MC, composer, producer, and visionary bandleader—returns to the legendary Yoshi’s stage with an electrifying performance you won’t want to miss! Celebrating the new release of his most personal and powerful project to date, “The Highest Self,” Kev is set to take the audience on a soul-stirring journey through Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B, Classical, and beyond.

With a world-class band, special guests, and a lush string quartet in tow, Kev brings his signature blend of virtuosic pianism, sharp conscious lyricism, and heartfelt storytelling to life—backed by one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic musical ensembles.

"I look at every show at Yoshi’s as an opportunity to display my musical growth, explorations, collaboration with amazing artists and musicians, and the wide range of music I’m currently creating and am influenced by. It’s also an opportunity for me to connect with my community of supporters, old and new, and provide a unique and special night of music,” says Kev. 

Over the last year, Kev has been making waves—from teaching at SFSU’s School of Music, to touring Cuba and Vietnam, working with artists such as Richie Rich, Martin Luther, Ayo Brame, to arranging for the Oakland Symphony and composing for groundbreaking dance works like AXIS Dance’s “Piel De Luna.” His artistic evolution is on full display in this new chapter.

Mistah FAB’s breakout album, 2005’s Son of a Pimp, established the North Oakland emcee as a rising star and a major factor in a resurgent Bay Area rap scene, which would demand national attention from hip-hop’s cultural gatekeepers. A decade later—older, wiser, and more resilient—FAB returns with Son of A Pimp 2, a no-holds-barred, 21-track extravaganza he considers the truest representation of his artistic talent to date. The list of features is sure to raise eyebrows, as is the fact that FAB more than holds his own against some of the rap world’s most celebrated artists from practically every region in the United States. Just as impressive as the tracks themselves is the fact that FAB assembled his all-star roster of talent from his friends list, leveraging the networking he’s been doing for years as a go-to guy for out-of-town artists visiting the Bay, as well as his solid rep within Oakland.

“My evolution as an artist is basically expanding and expounding on where I was. 10 years is a long time, a person goes through a lot,” he explains.

Don’t call Son of a Pimp 2 a comeback album; call it a ‘triumph over adversity’ album. Among the many challenges FAB endured was a diminished spotlight following the dissolution of his major-label deal, and ownership changes and legal issues for two other indie labels he’d released records. FAB went through personal issues as well – his mother (who’s featured on the album’s cover) passed from cancer, and his long-incarcerated brother was briefly released from jail, only to be sent back. “My rock was my mother,” he says. “That was basically my balance. Between losing her and my brother getting out of jail and going back to jail for a life sentence, and many friends and family members in the course of these 10 years who are no longer here, it definitely shapes and shifts your mindset.”

In the midst of hardship, there was also joy, as the birth of his daughter caused young “Fabby Davis Jr.” to mature into a grown-ass man. “Having a daughter, watching your daughter grow, being very involved with her upbringing… that molds you into such a different person,” he says.

Despite being unsigned, FAB stayed hype. He continued to maintain a presence in the rap scene, dropping mixtapes, doing shows and tours, hosting events, recording features, and launching his own clothing company, Dope Era. He also found success as a ghostwriter, penning platinum hits like B.O.B.’s “Headband” and Chris Brown’s “Loyal.” Long a fan and practitioner of battle-rap, he crushed several well-received freestyle sessions on “Sway in the Morning,” then re-emerged on the competitive battle circuit in 2014, going up against New Jersey’s Arsenol in the “Battle of the Bay.” He was even honored by the city of Oakland for his humanitarian efforts –over the years, he’s given back to the community by sponsoring Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, backpack drives, and other fundraisers for charitable causes—with the naming of February 8 as “Mistah FAB Day.”