French beatmaker Fatbabs returned on the 20th of June with This Love Is Forever, an album that is as heartfelt as it is ambitious, bridging reggae, hip-hop and soul with rare finesse. Known as the primary architect behind much of Naâman’s music and a long-standing figure in France’s reggae and hip-hop scene, the Grammy nominated Fatbabs has always excelled in blending genres, cultures, and voices. On this 17-track journey, he not only doubles down on that mission, he elevates it.
From the first track to the last, This Love Is Forever feels like more than just a record. At times, it’s a tribute, a conversation and a celebration. The album unites an impressive 21 artists, including heavyweights like Capleton, Queen Omega, Christopher Martin, Marcus Gad, and Jah Lil, along with a strong presence from the French reggae and hip-hop scenes, including Jahneration, Biga*Ranx and Davojah, amongst others.
The singles released ahead of the album (Rambo, End of War, Hurry Up, Skanking Loud) gave an early taste of the collaborative firepower at work here and the full album delivers on that promise. Whether it’s the pulsing, militant energy of End of War (feat. Jah Lil) or the explosive dancehall spirit of Skanking Loud, Fatbabs keeps the momentum alive with a crisp, layered production that gives each voice room to shine.
And then, just when the album feels like it’s soaring, it pauses – as a mark of respect to the dear departed musical magician that was Naâman, before I Feel Your Love arrives, and it certainly cuts deep. It’s not just the lush instrumentation or the strong features (Marcus Gad and Pressure Busspipe), it’s the presence of Naâman, who opens the track with a chorus recorded prior to his passing in February 2025. His voice, bright and aching, shines like sunlight through a storm. You can feel the weight in every line, the love in every layer. The track is a beautiful tribute, not just to a fallen friend and collaborator, but to the enduring power of music to carry memories forward. It embodies the album’s guiding principle: Love as legacy.
Fatbabs’ production throughout the album is warm, organic, and meticulous. You can hear his many influences, such as roots reggae, soul and hip-hop. But they’re never forced in this high-quality product. His signature is subtle. It is a groove that breathes, a beat that lets the lyrics lead, and there is always a deep respect present for the cultures he’s channelling. And while the album occasionally sprawls across different genres and generations, it never loses its focus. Each track contributes to the collective message: Love outlasts life, music transcends borders and unity is something which can be built, beat by beat and voice by voice.
This Love Is Forever doesn’t reinvent reggae or hip-hop. Instead, what it does is build a vibrant mosaic of voices, histories and styles. This experienced producer delivers his best work yet, whilst calling upon some of reggae’s best and brightest to put together track after track of quality music. Fatbabs acts less like a star and more like a curator, a listener and a connector. This Love Is Forever isn’t trying to redefine genres. It’s doing something more difficult than that, it’s building bridges, between past and future, between continents and space, between life and loss. This is not just one of the most meaningful albums of the year, it’s one of the most alive.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable album. It is a great credit to Fatbabs and his collaborators and we can be sure that the eternal Naâman is looking down and smiling, skanking and singing along with every track. Respect!
Label: Big Scoop Records
Released: June 20, 2025
Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Standout Tracks: I Feel Your Love, One Fam, End of War, Skanking Loud, Rambo
By Kevin McMahon
