It's hard to describe the sensory overload: Cologne, body odor, marijuana. Flashing lights, minor skirmishes barely contained by dozens of bouncers. Not unsafe, but too much "swagger" and body heat.

Why would Grammy-nominated rapper Fabolous want to perform at a nightclub instead of a larger venue for his first visit to Sacramento? Why would hundreds hang out in a less-than-savory atmosphere until after midnight to welcome Fabolous?

It's hard to recall why much of Thursday night, or early Friday was unique, but it's clear that when Brooklyn rapper Fabolous talks, it makes you want to party. "F-a-b-o-l-o-u-s," as he refers to himself, rocked a mostly-drunk dance party at Azukar, performing nearly an hour of hip-hop hits such as "Young'n (Holla Back)", "Make You Better" and "Throw it in the Bag."

He's not the most lyrically diverse rapper, but at least Fabolous has made an effort to change over four albums since his debut, Ghetto Fabolous, in 2001. Sometime during his career, early lyrics such as "sittin' in the crib, dreamin' about killing you," turned to more heartfelt songs about growing up without a father and vowing never to abandon his own son.

In "Stay," off his latest album, Loso's Way, Fabolous raps, That's when I became a man/ and that's the day he stopped bein' one/ This year I became a father /and I'll die bein' one/ What's up son? Perhaps it's being a new father, or an altercation in 2006 during which he was shot in the leg, but Fabolous seems to have abandoned his old gangster persona for a confident, professional appearance.

On the second floor of Azukar, 1616 J St., Fabolous entered a platform adjacent to the club's VIP area. Dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans and shades, Fabolous, a hype man and a DJ performed a spirited set.

From the beginning of his set, Fabolous and his hype man sent the audience into a frenzy. The audience shouted lyrics, threw their hands high in the air and shook their hips as Fab shook hands with dozens of 20- and 30 year olds.

Fabolous' catalog -- poetic lyrics, braggadocio or love stories -- made people shake it. Before finishing up a little after 1 a.m., Fabolous hugged a birthday girl, slapped some more hands and thanked the audience.

If Fabolous' show were a measuring stick for other performances in Sacramento's nightclubs, this reviewer would suggest attending the Mims concert at Image on Sunday, one of many events at Avalon nightclub and the Snoop Dogg performance next month at Azukar.