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."
B.K. Style
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody get these niggas some wheelchairs or somethin'
Goin' to war is still a scary issue
But in my hood they train to kill wit every pistol
Like they military issue
Guess you a star if you sell a million every disc two
Catch a gun case and bounce, still they'll barely frisk you
Make the smoothest grooves wit female
And I remove the rules on V12's
You never ain't never seen it move this smooth on Sprewell's
I'm a hustler, you just a middle man to me
The way I pass the rock, could make Jason Kidd a fan of me
Just cop one joint, I'm a one point somethin'
Still I had you at gunpoint, with one joint dumpin'
So watch what you say to them, crackers
I'll put a couple g's on yer head, like you play for the packers
I'm rap's Labron James, I quickly see baskets
These scrubs wouldn't make it to the Mickey-D's classics
You got some sticky weed, pass it
If not put it out, I'm pushin' it before they put it out
Wit the dash, wooded out, Shaq O'Neal, footed out
Blastin' a do-did-it, first before they put it out, clue
Yeah
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
Maybe wouldn't be a million kids wit they faces on containers
If cops pursue the same way they chase us entertainers
In the hood, a few big faces and a chain-a
Get metal in ya mouth, like braces and retainers
Even the young bucks be scheming on somebody change
Tryin' a sell somebody 'cain, before they even potty trained
You can smooth talk your way into a hottie brain
Have her suckin' long enough to leave a nigga body drained
I wasn't taught, I learned from watchin' stupid people
That'll run up shootin' in front of a group of people
I lay in a cut, the same way the troopers peep you
Ride up on yer Coupe creep you
Why you let a groupie deep you?
'Cause even if you reppin' like a man of steel
You gon' still need a weapon when you land a deal
One for watch you slippin' like you steppin' on banana peels
Think a nigga ain't gon' pull a weapon 'cause you scanned a mil'?
I crept in and got handed meals
Now the white and black rides look like salt, pepper on a bannon grill
Think I wouldn't hold a Pepsi in my hand for mil's?
You must be fuckin' stupid, nigga
Yeah, yeah
Brooklyn stand the fuck up
Every project, rebourse, Kings Borough
Bushwick, fort geen
Tilden, brownsville
Langston Hughes, LG
Glendon, Van Dike, steflo, Brookline
Albany, Glenwood
Abys field, faragutt
Marcy
Tomkins stumlo, Guonas
Rosaveelt
I'm just the project nigga myself haha
The rapper in Fabolous’s song “B.K. Style” is boasting about his success and his ability to navigate the streets of Brooklyn as a successful rapper. He claims that he can move smoothly whether he’s driving a V12 or walking down the street, and that he has the confidence to confront anyone who challenges him. He also acknowledges the dangers of living in Brooklyn, where even young kids are involved in drug deals and violence. He suggests that the police should focus on pursuing criminals rather than harassing entertainers. In this song, Fabolous is presenting himself as a successful rapper who has made it big, but who hasn’t forgotten his humble roots in Brooklyn.
The lyrics of the song suggest that while Fabolous has achieved material success as a rapper, he is still aware of the dangers and challenges of growing up in Brooklyn. He seems to be aware that his success is due in part to his ability to navigate the streets and to establish himself as a respected figure in the community. At the same time, he is critical of the violence and drug use that pervades the area, and suggests that things could be better if the police were more focused on pursuing real criminals rather than harassing residents of the area.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, its 'bout to get real hard for these niggas to move man
It's going to be tough for other rappers to compete with me.
Somebody get these niggas some wheelchairs or somethin'
I'm so good that they might as well be handicapped if they try to rap against me.
Goin' to war is still a scary issue
Fighting is always scary and dangerous.
But in my hood they train to kill wit every pistol
In my neighborhood, people are used to using guns to fight and commit crime
Like a military issue
The guns they use are like what the military uses.
Guess you a star if you sell a million every disc two
If you sell millions of records, you're considered a star.
Catch a gun case an' bounce, still they'll barely frisk you
Even if you're caught with a gun and get released, the police may not stop and search you again.
'cause, I proved I move the retail
I'm successful at selling my music.
Make the smoothest grooves wit female
I make great music with female vocalists.
And I remove the rules on V12's
I drive a fast car and ignore the speed limit.
You never ain't never seen it move this smooth on Sprewell's
My car is smoother than the Sprewell's car rims.
I'm a hustler, he's just a middle man to me
I'm a hustler, and people in between me and my hustles are just obstacles.
The way I pass the rock, could make Jason Kidd a fan of me
I'm so smooth and skilled that even a great basketball player like Jason Kidd would be impressed by my talent.
Just cop one joint, I'm a one point somethin'
I'm an accomplished rapper with just one hit song.
Still I had you at gunpoint, with one joint dumpin'
Despite my success, I'm still ready to use a gun to protect myself.
So watch what you say to them, crackers
Be careful what you say to the police.
I'll put a couple g's on yer head, like you play for the packers
I'll put a price on someone's head like a bounty hunter.
I'm rap's Labron James, I quickly see baskets
I'm a top player in the rap game and quickly see opportunities to succeed.
These scrubs wouldn't make it to the Mickey-D's classics
These lesser rappers wouldn't make it into an elite rap competition.
You got some sticky weed, pass it
If you have some good weed, share it with me.
If not put it out, I'm pushin' it before they put it out
If you don't want to smoke, I'll take it from you and smoke it myself.
Wit the dash, wooded out, Shaq O'Neal, footed out
I've got an expensive car and am dressed in designer clothing, like Shaquille O'Neal.
Blastin' a do-did-it, first before they put it out, clue
I'll play my music loudly and share it with my fans first.
Maybe wouldn't be a million kids wit they faces on containers
Maybe fewer kids would end up on milk cartons as missing persons if the police acted the same way they do when pursuing rappers.
If cops pursue the same way they chase us entertainers
If the police chased after criminals like they do with rappers, the streets would be safer.
In the hood, a few big faces and a chain-a
In the hood, someone with a chain and flashy watches is considered a big shot.
Get metal in ya mouth, like braces and retainers
If you act like a big shot in the hood, someone might put a gun in your mouth.
Even the young bucks be scheming on somebody change
Even the young kids in the hood are thinking about their next hustle to make some cash.
Tryin' a sell somebody 'cain, before they even potty trained
Kids in the hood try to sell drugs even before they are toilet trained.
You can smooth talk your way into a hottie brain
You can convince a girl to like you with smooth talk and lies.
Have her suckin' long enough to leave a nigga body drained
A girl can suck a man's soul for as long as he lets her.
I wasn't taught, I learned from watchin' stupid people
I didn't have a formal education, I learned from observing other people's mistakes.
That'll run up shootin' in front of a group of people
People who are reckless will shoot in front of others without worrying about the consequences.
I lay in a cut, the same way the troopers peep you
I'm always aware of my surroundings, just like the police keep an eye on people.
Ride up on yer Coupe creep you
I'll pull up on you in my car and scare you.
Why you let a groupie deep you?
Why are you sleeping with someone just because they're a fan of yours?
'cause even if you reppin' like a man of steel
Even if you look tough, you still need to arm yourself in dangerous situations.
You gon' still need a weapon when you land a deal
Even if you become successful, you still need to be prepared to defend yourself.
One for watch you slippin' like you steppin' on banana peels
Don't think that because you're rich and famous you're not still at risk for being robbed or attacked.
Think a nigga ain't gon' pull a weapon 'cause you scanned a mil'?
Don't assume that someone won't try to rob you just because you've made a lot of money.
I crept in and got handed meals
I worked hard and earned money for myself.
Now the white and black rides look like salt, pepper on a bannon grill
My cars are black and white, like salt and pepper on a grill.
Think I wouldn't hold a Pepsi in my hand for mil's?
Don't underestimate what I would do for money.
You must be fuckin' stupid, nigga
You're a fool if you doubt me.
Yeah
Just a filler line to keep the rhythm going.
Brooklyn stand the fucker
Proud to represent Brooklyn.
Every project, rebourse, Kings Borough
Different neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
Push wig, for grain
Push drugs for money.
Fill it in, brown fill
More drug references.
Lengston you, LG
More people from my neighborhood.
Linda, bandi, steflo, Brooklyn
More people and neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
All believe, Glym wall
More names of people and places in Brooklyn.
Abyss fill, faragay
More names of people and places in Brooklyn.
Mossly
Possibly another person or place in Brooklyn.
Talkin' stumlo, Guonas
More names of people and places in Brooklyn.
Rosawell
Possibly another person or place in Brooklyn.
I'm just the project nigga myself
I'm just a guy from the projects in Brooklyn.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kasseem Dean, John David Jackson, Victor Santiago, Mashonda K. Tifrere
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind