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."
Can
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause now I ain't wit cha, know that I miss ya, some how I carry on
I can still picture, when I was wit cha like you was never gone
I remember the good times, all of the bad times
I dedicate this song, to my niggas laid out, til my niggas lay down
Can Ya Hear Me, I know you hear me
[Fabolous]
Quick to holla at a bitch with the same lines
Quick to draw on a nigga with the same nines
But at the same time we was on some different shit
'cause you was with a bitch that I beg to differ wit
I told you sniff a bit and you could get a whif of it
But you kept a closed nose when it came to those hoes
And I'm your nigga so I tried to smell em wrong for ya
Wasn't there to take the fault for ya, But if you hear me
I dedicate this song for ya, He was setup in a stick up
By a girl he used to pick up on the upper west side
I used to help him chop a brick up, They found him in his pickup
Pants down and dick up, leaning with one in his head
And one in his chest, One of the best at this husslin' shit
But his downfall was that he put his trust in a bitch and it's fucked up
[Chorus]
[Fabolous]
I remember selling three bricks of raw powder
Turn my man into a star in 24 hours
He didn't care spent the money in like 4 hours
On a Benz with like 400 and Horsepower
And a chain that had christ on it, a rollie with a lot of Ice on it
A pinky ring with a price on it, when he come around
Its likely that he blunted
With a pretty lady in them Nike's that you wanted
It's well know he kept it on his hip like a cell phone
If you speak with him you can pick up on his jail tone
He used to say he wasn't going back without blowing back
And now I'm black I wouldn't put it past him
The D's would Harass him, til he finally blacked out
They told my nigga to freeze, but he still backed out
Shots fired 'til his trigger finger got tired
All the newspapers said was 'Another Nigga Dead'
And it's fucked up
[Chorus]
[Fabolous]
You can catch me in a cherry red 8-50 nice ass
Great titties, face pretty everybody know that she date smitty
A big time dealer that's doing a state biddin
Who did more than his share of dirt in the world
Enough to make a nigga think about hurtin' his girl
So he used to tell his queen to stay to the castle
Away from the hassle to the day that he pass through
There's some enemies he might have who may want to blast you
She stayed for a few years, that's until a few pairs
Convinced her to come and hang out around New Year's
It's been awhile, you can see it in her smile
And she ran into her man's Co-Defendant in the trial
Who started going on about how he moving on
About running with them same niggas Smitty had warned about
She slid off told her girl, she had to drop her kid off
They found her in the parking lot, somebody blew her lid off
And it's fucked up
[Chorus: x2]
The song Can, by Fabolous, is an emotional and powerful tribute to his friends who have passed away. The song tells the story of three different friends who have all tragically died due to different circumstances. Fabolous starts the song by expressing how much he misses his friends and how he carries on despite their absence. He then goes on to tell the story of each friend, recounting both the good times and the bad times they shared together.
The first friend was killed during a stickup that he was set up for. Fabolous laments his friend's trusting nature and how it ultimately led to his death. The second friend was a successful drug dealer who treated his girlfriend poorly. Fabolous recounts how his friend warned his girlfriend to stay safe and away from his dangerous lifestyle, but she eventually paid the ultimate price. The third friend was killed during a shootout with the police, showing how dangerous the lifestyle they led truly was. The song is a poignant reminder of how quickly life can be taken from us, and how important it is to cherish and appreciate the time we have with the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
'cause now I ain't wit cha, know that I miss ya, some how I carry on
Even though you're gone, I still feel your absence and it hurts, but somehow I manage to keep going.
I can still picture, when I was wit cha like you was never gone
I still have vivid memories of the times we spent together and it's as if you're still here with me.
I remember the good times, all of the bad times
I recall all the happy moments we shared, as well as the struggles we faced together.
I dedicate this song, to my niggas laid out, til my niggas lay down
This song is a tribute to my friends who have passed away and to those who are still alive and hustling with me.
Can Ya Hear Me, I know you hear me
Even though you're not physically present, I know that you can still hear me and the message I'm delivering through this song.
Now we was once two niggas of the same kind
We used to be close friends who shared a lot in common.
Quick to holla at a bitch with the same lines
We were both smooth talkers who were good at picking up women using the same lines.
Quick to draw on a nigga with the same nines
We were also quick to use our guns to protect ourselves and settle scores with our enemies.
But at the same time we was on some different shit
Despite our similarities, we were also different in some ways.
'cause you was with a bitch that I beg to differ wit
I didn't approve of the woman you were dating and it caused some tension between us.
I told you sniff a bit and you could get a whif of it
I warned you to be careful of the woman you were involved with and to pay attention to her true intentions.
But you kept a closed nose when it came to those hoes
You ignored my advice and continued to trust this woman despite my warnings.
And I'm your nigga so I tried to smell em wrong for ya
As your friend, I tried to protect you by investigating this woman and uncovering any hidden motives she had.
Wasn't there to take the fault for ya, But if you hear me
I couldn't be there to take the blame for any mistakes you made, but I hope you can still hear my words and understand that I had your back.
I dedicate this song for ya, He was setup in a stick up
This song is dedicated to you because you were betrayed and set up during a robbery.
By a girl he used to pick up on the upper west side
The woman you trusted and I warned you about ended up setting you up in a criminal act in your own neighborhood.
I used to help him chop a brick up, They found him in his pickup
I used to help you with your illegal activities and now they found you dead in your car.
Pants down and dick up, leaning with one in his head
You were found dead in your car with your pants down and a bullet in your head.
And one in his chest, One of the best at this husslin' shit
You were one of the best hustlers around, but unfortunately, it didn't save you in the end.
But his downfall was that he put his trust in a bitch and it's fucked up
Your downfall was that you trusted this woman who ended up betraying you, which is a sad and frustrating reality.
You can catch me in a cherry red 8-50 nice ass
I can be found driving a fancy car with a beautiful woman by my side.
Great titties, face pretty everybody know that she date smitty
The woman with me is attractive and everyone knows that she is dating someone named Smitty.
A big time dealer that's doing a state biddin
Smitty is a well-known drug dealer who is currently serving time in prison.
Who did more than his share of dirt in the world
Smitty has done a lot of illegal and unethical things in his lifetime.
Enough to make a nigga think about hurtin' his girl
His actions have made me consider the possibility of harming my own girlfriend.
So he used to tell his queen to stay to the castle
To protect his girlfriend from danger, Smitty advised her to stay away from certain people and situations.
Away from the hassle to the day that he pass through
He wanted her to avoid any trouble or problems until the day he got out of prison.
There's some enemies he might have who may want to blast you
There are people who want to cause harm to Smitty and anyone associated with him, including his girlfriend.
She stayed for a few years, that's until a few pairs
His girlfriend heeded his warnings and stayed away for a few years, until she was convinced to come out and socialize.
Convinced her to come and hang out around New Year's
Her friends convinced her to come out and have fun during the New Year's holiday.
It's been awhile, you can see it in her smile
It had been a long time since she had seen her boyfriend and it was clear from her smile that she missed him.
And she ran into her man's Co-Defendant in the trial
She unexpectedly ran into Smitty's co-defendant during her night out.
Who started going on about how he moving on
The co-defendant began talking about how he was moving on with his life, even though Smitty was still in prison.
About running with them same niggas Smitty had warned about
He started hanging out with the very people that Smitty had warned him to stay away from.
She slid off told her girl, she had to drop her kid off
She quickly left the conversation and told her friend that she had to drop off her child somewhere.
They found her in the parking lot, somebody blew her lid off
Unfortunately, someone shot and killed her in a parking lot.
And it's fucked up
This senseless act of violence is incredibly sad and frustrating.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the message that even though these friends are no longer physically present, their memory lives on and we still miss and think of them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, JASMIN LOPEZ, JONATHAN ROTEM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@atlanticrecords
Love 2000s Hip Hop? Check out the 2000s Hip Hop Hits Mix 🔥💿 http://bit.ly/2000sThrowbacks
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@ashtonwilson2648
Foogiano trapper
@polianaroberta6046
Sempre!!!
@nelly713
22th July snoop dogg vs dmx verzus 💪🏻
@branthenley3943
@@s.ruffin6257 +
@c.l.9344
Where my millennials at?
Who grew up during this era?
No social media, rushing home to watch BETs 106 & Park, the best era of music and life.
@toreytownsend4705
Right here!!!! Still bumping this music. It never gets old to me. Music like this is like a intro to the spring, summer time for me.
@mercenarywings6700
So reminiscent fam. I used to jam home to press play on the vhs and record everything hip hop and r&b. That was our YouTube.
@xtraphilip
Man, I miss organic socializing without social apps and shit! Nobody gave a shit about 6 pack! Back in my country, if u had 6 pack, pple will think u starving and shit. To get a girl, u had to get your conversation skills right. Oh my lord