It takes talent to make the struggle to succeed seem effortless, but that is the gift that separates artists like Brooklyn's John Jackson, aka Fabolous, from the everyday MC. While most rappers spend more and more time convincing the masses of their "hustle," Fabolous lets his work speak for his effort. With two platinum albums (2001's Ghetto Fabolous and 2003's Street Dreams) and one Gold (2004's Real Talk) to his credit, the veteran hitmaker still exudes a rookie-of-the year swagger. After recording for both Elektra and Atlantic Records, Fab is enjoying a home coming with the legendary Def Jam label. His first recorded song was "If They Want It" from DJ Clue's The Professional, which was released by Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam in 1998.
"I had people in my corner already over there," Fab says of DJ Clue and A&R Skane, the Desert Storm duo who discovered Fabolous. "So it wasn't like I was coming to a new neighborhood."
While he doesn't site any one reason for his move, Fabolous has learned a lot from his time in the industry and is eager to capitalize on his experience. "I haven't peaked yet," he explains. "I was happy with the past records, but I have some adversity to learn off of for the future."
It's appropriate that Fabolous is getting a fresh start for his latest release because he wants From Nothin' to Somethin' to be a rebirth for his fans old and new. "Everybody is trying to take what they have and make something more," says Fabolous, explaining the album's title. "It's a new year, everybody's on their hustle, back in the gym and I'm trying to give them some inspiration. This is music to chase your money too, work out--motivation music.
The first single "Make Me Better" is produced by Grammy Award winning producer Timbaland and finds Fabolous doing what he does best; blending radio ready sound beds with clever and memorable lyrics. Rapping that he needs "a Corretta Scott to make me King" Fab picks up with his female fans where "Baby" left off. "It's a great feel good record, it's got a lot of style to it," he says. "I wanted a record that could show that I could touch different people with my music."
Already recognized for his hit-making ability, Fabolous is eager to show the diversity of his technique while staying true to his blueprint for success. On the cocky "Make Money" he cleverly borrows Notorious B.I.G's trademark chuckle to comment on the laugh-ability of his competition: "these dudes is stand up rappers, hip-hop comedians, I start laughin as soon as I put your CD in." His wit and wordplay is not something he gets enough credit for, but the MC is confident people will come around. "Certain people recognize it," he says, "but its like they'll sing it in the shower, but they won't sing it outside. It's all good though. One of them days you gonna get drunk and start singing that song."
Enlisting a whose-who list of guests that includes Akon, Young Jeezy, Ne-Yo and Junior Reed, Fabolous plays to a variety of audiences on this disc, but there is no mistaking that it's his show from beginning to end. The anthemic "Brooklyn" features a yet to be disclosed surprise guest and "Change Up" pairs Fab with singer, producer extraodinaire Akon helping him reflect on his life and career.
"Anytime you become a successful person, people may look at you and say you changed," explains Fabolous, who references the October 2006 shooting that took place outside of Justin's restaurant in the lyrics of the song. "That record just talks about people changing as a person for money, how they carry themselves and treat other people. For me, I might have changed where I live or my number, but I haven't changed as a person…I slid a line or two about what happened in October but I'm not coming out with a bullet proof vest or anything."
The playful "Foggin Up The Windows," produced by Miami's The Runners, features R. Kelly's chopped and screwed vocals from his hit "Ignition" to prop up Fabolous' ode to parkin' lot pimpin' of the more carnal kind.
"I just took it back to trying to get some in the car," he says with a laugh. "Everyone's either done it or tried to get some in the car. It may not have been the place of choice but everybody's had a hotel on wheels."
Other rewind worthy tracks like "Real Playa" featuring Lloyd, "Diamonds" featuring Young Jeezy and the Just Blaze produced "Back To School" round out an impressive collection that makes From Nothin' to Somethin' worth the two-year wait. In his absence no artist has come close to matching his boyish charm, wit and unassuming cool both on and off the mic. With a new team and a pop of his collar Fabolous is indeed "fresh to Def."
"I'm trying to bring good music back to the game," he says confidently. "And anybody that's bringing good music, the hype is gonna follow them."
All Good
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothing
For all the people that lived above the buildings
That I was hustling from, that called the police on me
It's all good, baby baby
'Cause I went from the negative to the positive
And it's all"
It was G.O.O.D Music like Kanye and them
It was Goodfellas like Henry and them
But nowadays good girls, ain't too many of them
So if you a good girl, let me see your hands
Let these niggas know, every chance that you can
If you got that good good
Shorty, please raise your hand
She know its all good, she just need a good man
If you smokin' good-good, nigga pass it to your man
'Cause when you at your lowest gettin' higher is the plan
Got somethin' in my cup, feel good to be the man
And if its good money, tell em' to put it in my hand
Talking good dudes, good vibes and some good food
Smokin' good with a playlist full of good grooves
You know the shit you like to hear, like good news
A couple Megan Goods came through, made the hood move
And slow motion for me, she be frontin' like
Why all this commotion for me
They talk about her shit, like they doing promotion for it
But she single, cause they never show devotion for it
She ain't never act too good for a nigga
But she losing faith, she don't see no good in these niggas
She like why I get treated bad, but be good to a nigga
You do bad, you lose, too bad, good for you nigga
It was good times like J.J. and them
It was G.O.O.D Music like Kanye and them
It was Goodfellas like Henry and them
But nowadays good girls, ain't too many of them
So if you a good girl, let me see your hands
Let these niggas know, every chance that you can
If you got that good good
Shorty, please raise your hand
She know its all good, she just need a good man
If you smokin' good-good, nigga pass it to your man
'Cause when you at your lowest gettin' higher is the plan
Got somethin' in my cup, feel good to be the man
And if its good money, tell em' to put it in my hand
She went Cee-lo with my Goodie Mob
Yellin' that I fall better, life is a gamble
I was good luck for the betters
Take a risk nigga, you gotta shoot to miss nigga
Time is golden, like that Rollie on your wrist nigga
I hate when they gets figures, then disfigured
And when niggas get salty and thinking that shits sugar
That's why good goes bad
That's when niggas who just came home, could go back
So let's keep the vibe right, keep the energy good
Them boys would sit you down player, like a injury would
Then my niggas fuck with me, before the Industry would
Riding till the wheels fall off and the engine no good
It was good times like J.J. and them
It was G.O.O.D Music like Kanye and them
It was Goodfellas like Henry and them
But nowadays good girls, ain't too many of them
So if you a good girl, let me see your hands
Let these niggas know, every chance that you can
If you got that good good
Shorty, please raise your hand
She know its all good, she just need a good man
If you smokin' good-good, nigga pass it to your man
'Cause when you at your lowest gettin' higher is the plan
Got somethin' in my cup, feel good to be the man
And if its good money, tell em' to put it in my hand
In Fabolous's song "All Good", the rapper dedicates the album to all the teachers who told him that he would never amount to anything and to all the people who lived above the buildings where he was hustling from, who called the police on him. Fabolous explains that it is all good because he went from a negative situation to a positive one. He sings about good times, good music, and goodfellas, but also recognizes that good girls are hard to come by these days. He calls for all the good girls to raise their hand and let these men know that they deserve a good man in their life. He also talks about the importance of keeping good vibes, good energy, and good friendships, even when things get tough.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, this album is dedicated
This album is specifically dedicated to someone or a group of people.
To all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothing
The song is a tribute to all the teachers who discouraged and said negative things about him pointing out that he would not be successful.
For all the people that lived above the buildings
The song is also dedicated to all the people who lived in the apartments above the ones he used to hustle in.
That I was hustling from, that called the police on me
He mentions the individuals that called the police on him when he hustled in the apartments, which might have made it challenging for him to pursue his business.
It's all good, baby baby
Despite the hard times, he has a positive outlook and tries to convey that everything will be fine.
'Cause I went from the negative to the positive
He is emphasizing that things have turned around, and his life is headed in a better direction.
And it's all good
He maintains that even though he had a difficult start, everything has worked out positively for him, and he's in a good place in life now.
Good times like J.J. and them
He reminisces about having good times like J.J, a character from a TV show, and his family did.
It was G.O.O.D Music like Kanye and them
He talks about how it was good to listen to G.O.O.D Music and other hits that the likes of Keanes and others made.
It was Goodfellas like Henry and them
Fabolous is talking about the great experience people who watched Goodfellas like Henry and the characters had.
But nowadays good girls, ain't too many of them
He talks about how it's challenging these days to find good people like ladies since they are rare to come by.
So if you a good girl, let me see your hands
He is just looking for a good woman to settle down with, and hence he's requesting one to show themselves to him.
Let these niggas know, every chance that you can
He urges the ladies not to hide or be shy about their worth and to remind men that good women exist out there.
If you got that good good
He's talking about women who have excellent qualities including nice personalities, kind hearts, among other things.
Shorty, please raise your hand
He wants any women who feel that they have these qualities to raise their hands and show that great ladies are still out here.
She know it's all good, she just need a good man
He says that all women need to know is that everything is going to be fine, but they need a good man to help support them and be with them as they navigate life.
If you smoking good-good, nigga pass it to your man
Fabolous is promoting the act of sharing the good things in life and generosity, such as sharing good cannabis with friends.
'Cause when you at your lowest getting' higher is the plan
He is acknowledging the fact that when one is feeling low in life, smoking weed may help lift their spirits and push them to prioritize self-care.
Got something in my cup, feel good to be the man
Fabolous is enjoying the feeling of being successful and on top, hence the great emotion he's feeling.
And if it's good money, tell em' to put it in my hand
He is urging that if anyone has something good to offer him, they should go ahead and give it to him, and that great opportunities should not be missed.
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, CREATE MUSIC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KASSEEM DEAN, DETRIC JAMAL JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, JAVON S. REYNOLDS, SIDNEY F. REYNOLDS, AUBREY T. JOHNSON, HENRY EDWARD ZANT, AUBREY DRAKE GRAHAM, CLIFFORD J. HARRIS, NOAH JAMES SHEBIB, AVERY JEROME WILLIAM CHAMBLISS, MATTHEW JEHU SAMUELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind