There Is No Competition 3: Death Comes in 3's cover

There Is No Competition 3: Death Comes in 3's

Fabolous · 2011

46 min · 15 tracks · gangsta rap

A hard-hitting blend of street narratives and slick wordplay underscored by minimalist beats and infectious hooks.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Death Comes in 3's Start here — This track serves as the thematic anchor of the mixtape, blending introspective lyrics with a haunting beat that encapsulates the underlying tension throughout.
  • →
    Unfuckwitable — Demonstrating Fabolous's confident swagger, this track features clever wordplay and punchy delivery, making it an instant standout that showcases his lyrical prowess.
  • →
    Lord Knows — The closing track is an expansive reflection on Fabolous's career journey, combining personal storytelling with a powerful beat, leaving a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyricism and solid production but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and styles.
  • Several tracks incorporate minimalist beats with heavy bass lines, allowing the lyrics to take center stage without overwhelming production.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with intensity
  • braggadocio mixed with introspection
  • dynamic flow with gradual climax
  • catchy hooks for easy engagement

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lengthy, immersive tracks
  • seek straightforward, consistent themes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Beloved mixtape that showcases Fabolous's lyrical prowess and street narratives.
Themes
East Coast competition· mortality reflections· braggadocio storytelling
Career context
Released in early 2011, 'There Is No Competition 3: Death Comes in 3's' marked Fabolous's return to the mixtape circuit following his last studio album, 'Loso's Way,' in 2009. At this point, he was firmly established in the East Coast hip-hop scene, leveraging his previous successes while showcasing a more aggressive lyrical approach.
Stylistic neighbors
Joe Budden· Jadakiss· Cam'ron

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Death in the Family

    The shift from recounting loss to expressing determination evokes a deep emotional response as he navigates personal tragedy.

    This transition highlights Fabolous's ability to weave vulnerability into his narrative, contrasting personal pain with an unwavering resolve.

Tracklist

  • 1 Intro 1:22
  • 2 Death Comes in 3's Start here 2:43
  • 3 You Dont Know Bout It 3:39
  • 4 Swag Champ 3:28
  • 5 The Widows 0:24
  • 6 She Did It 2:59
  • 7 Spend It 3:43
  • 8 Black City 1:53
  • 9 Got That Work 2:56
  • 10 B.E.T. 2:45
  • 11 Get Down or Lay Down 3:14
  • 12 Unfuckwitable 3:52
  • 13 Death in the Family 4:01
  • 14 Dram's on Time 0:46
  • 15 Lord Knows 9:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata