John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York), better k… Read Full Bio ↴John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York), better known by his stage name Fabolous, is a Grammy award nominated American rapper, actor and designer signed to Def Jam Records. He released his debut album, Ghetto Fabolous in 2001 and has since released 2003's Street Dreams, 2004's Real Talk and 2007's From Nothin' To Somethin', all of which have collectively sold over four million copies in the United States. His fourth studio album, Loso's Way, was released in July of 2009 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
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."
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."
Church
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Ha ha ha haa
Brothers and sisters we're gathered here today
To listen to a young man that's on fiiya
You sittin in the church wit reverend charlie murphy
And I'ma bring it to ya wit brother f-a-b-o-l-o-u-s
Fabolous
Preach, brother preach
Fabolous
Preach brother preach
Preach to 'em brother, church
Yea, uh uh uh uh
Yo, I preach through my raps
God is watchin me I still reach to my strap
Broads is watchin me they want to leech to my trap
The jesus christ on my neck reach to my lap
I teach you to rap in my sunday school
These bitches get a one day rule
You gotta fuck by monday, cool?
Or she gotta stroke a stick like the hun play pool
If not you gotta walk like a runway fool
Catch me in the moon shine or the sun ray jewels
If you keep sayin your prayers maybe one day you'll
Be blessed like me 'til then keep stompin in your air force o-n-e-s nikes
They should make scriptures wit my flows
I'm the young bishop don juan that stripped ya for your hoes
So if I throw a dollar to ya scream hallelujah
While I grab the neck of my robe and pop a collar to ya
Church
Now in this world that we live in, there's all kinds of pimps
You got ya playas, ya ballas, ya macs, ya gorrilla
Pimps that take what they want
Ya all-star pimps pimps that, sprawl in real estate
Pimps wit nothin but the gators on ya feet (preach to em brother)
Nice pimps, mean pimps
I feel like the angel of god
All I gotta do is drive the range through and nod
It's like I was put here to put layers in the air
Put squares in my ear, put squares in the chair
Put pairs in the rear
I even put 20 inch footwear in my spare
Lord knows I gotta stay on them spinners
Dis verse is like grace that you say on your dinners
Girls come wit me knowin that they gonna be sinners
But, I'ma sense of relief
And I ain't never been a trick kinda like its against my belief
If she got it from me then I'm convinced she a thief
But they say god giveth and he taketh away
And I can do the same thing when I shake with the 'k
If a nigga make a mistake wit the pay, goddamit
At the club I get right in
So if heaven got a ghetto I should fit right in
God loves me
Now just what kind of ho are you?
Are you a tough ho, or a soft ho? (That's right)
Are you a big ho, or a little ho? (Lil' teenie weenie)
A domestic ho, or an international ho?
A rich ho, or a broke ass ho?
Yea, me momma got my name from the baptist who made
Tha wrong moves wit the women and died for it
You make the wrong moves when you come and you try for it
New york city of god
I 'den saved some of new york's prettiest broads
I'm spittin the gospel
I hit my apostle's wit the coke that'll heal a sick
Soon as it get in they nostrils
Adios mios, bring the organs on ya
A 40-caliber'll turn ya to a organ donor
And a day or two, you'll be a morgue aroma
While I go city to city fillin the pieu's up
I ask god to forgive me while I'm fillin the uz' up
Demons won't let me see a man fillin my shoes up
I ease 'em wit a sermon, but that ain't hard
When I'm in the beamer before they released 'em for the germans
You prolly got the man you love wit you
But wouldn't you rather have the man above wit you?
Can I get an amen
Now some of ya'll are pimps, and some of ya'll are hoes
But the rest the rest of ya'll don't think I don't know
Ya just a hater they hate what you got
They put a black eye on on the game whenever they play
They piss in the pool, and they fart on the elevator
Then look you in the face, like they think you did it
They hate change (they hate change)
And they hate progress
They hate me and they hate you
They hate they own momma
'Cause they think its her fault that they ain't got shit
But I'm here to tell ya today
That if you a hater
Then you are the architect of your own misery (amen)
And somebody just put 25 dollars in the collection plate
So I'ma go up on the corner
And buy me a fish sandwich
Y'all hold it down, I'll be right back
Tha reverend charlie brown
And don't you ever forget
Fabolous, fabolous, fabolous, fabolous
Bitch ass motherfuckers
Brothers and sisters we're gathered here today
To listen to a young man that's on fiiya
You sittin in the church wit reverend charlie murphy
And I'ma bring it to ya wit brother f-a-b-o-l-o-u-s
Fabolous
Preach, brother preach
Preach brother preach
Preach to 'em brother, church
Yea, uh uh uh uh
Yo, I preach through my raps
God is watchin me I still reach to my strap
Broads is watchin me they want to leech to my trap
The jesus christ on my neck reach to my lap
I teach you to rap in my sunday school
These bitches get a one day rule
You gotta fuck by monday, cool?
Or she gotta stroke a stick like the hun play pool
If not you gotta walk like a runway fool
Catch me in the moon shine or the sun ray jewels
If you keep sayin your prayers maybe one day you'll
Be blessed like me 'til then keep stompin in your air force o-n-e-s nikes
They should make scriptures wit my flows
I'm the young bishop don juan that stripped ya for your hoes
So if I throw a dollar to ya scream hallelujah
While I grab the neck of my robe and pop a collar to ya
Church
Now in this world that we live in, there's all kinds of pimps
You got ya playas, ya ballas, ya macs, ya gorrilla
Pimps that take what they want
Ya all-star pimps pimps that, sprawl in real estate
Pimps wit nothin but the gators on ya feet (preach to em brother)
Nice pimps, mean pimps
I feel like the angel of god
All I gotta do is drive the range through and nod
It's like I was put here to put layers in the air
Put squares in my ear, put squares in the chair
Put pairs in the rear
I even put 20 inch footwear in my spare
Lord knows I gotta stay on them spinners
Dis verse is like grace that you say on your dinners
Girls come wit me knowin that they gonna be sinners
But, I'ma sense of relief
And I ain't never been a trick kinda like its against my belief
If she got it from me then I'm convinced she a thief
But they say god giveth and he taketh away
And I can do the same thing when I shake with the 'k
If a nigga make a mistake wit the pay, goddamit
At the club I get right in
So if heaven got a ghetto I should fit right in
God loves me
Now just what kind of ho are you?
Are you a tough ho, or a soft ho? (That's right)
Are you a big ho, or a little ho? (Lil' teenie weenie)
A domestic ho, or an international ho?
A rich ho, or a broke ass ho?
Yea, me momma got my name from the baptist who made
Tha wrong moves wit the women and died for it
You make the wrong moves when you come and you try for it
New york city of god
I 'den saved some of new york's prettiest broads
I'm spittin the gospel
I hit my apostle's wit the coke that'll heal a sick
Soon as it get in they nostrils
Adios mios, bring the organs on ya
A 40-caliber'll turn ya to a organ donor
And a day or two, you'll be a morgue aroma
While I go city to city fillin the pieu's up
I ask god to forgive me while I'm fillin the uz' up
Demons won't let me see a man fillin my shoes up
I ease 'em wit a sermon, but that ain't hard
When I'm in the beamer before they released 'em for the germans
You prolly got the man you love wit you
But wouldn't you rather have the man above wit you?
Can I get an amen
Now some of ya'll are pimps, and some of ya'll are hoes
But the rest the rest of ya'll don't think I don't know
Ya just a hater they hate what you got
They put a black eye on on the game whenever they play
They piss in the pool, and they fart on the elevator
Then look you in the face, like they think you did it
They hate change (they hate change)
And they hate progress
They hate me and they hate you
They hate they own momma
'Cause they think its her fault that they ain't got shit
But I'm here to tell ya today
That if you a hater
Then you are the architect of your own misery (amen)
And somebody just put 25 dollars in the collection plate
So I'ma go up on the corner
And buy me a fish sandwich
Y'all hold it down, I'll be right back
Tha reverend charlie brown
And don't you ever forget
Fabolous, fabolous, fabolous, fabolous
Bitch ass motherfuckers
The song "Church" by Fabulous is a music interpretation of a church sermon. It begins with the preacher introducing the rapper to the church congregation before Fabulous takes over. In the first verse, Fabulous talks about preaching through his rap music while keeping a gun by his side. He also addresses how women are attracted to him because of his wealth, and he likens himself to Jesus Christ, teaching his followers how to rap. He ends the verse saying that if they keep praying, then one day they'll be blessed like him.
The second verse has a tone of superiority where Fabulous compares himself to an angel of God, a savior of sorts. He talks about his ability to put shoes on the 20-inch footwear and stay on the spinners. He emphasizes how women will sin with him but find comfort and relief in his presence. Fabulous sees himself as God-like, being able to give and take away as he pleases. In the third and final verse, Fabulous talks about saving some of New York's prettiest girls and hits his apostles with coke. He again adds a religious reference to say that after taking the coke, they'll be healed. He acknowledges that he's a demon but uses sermons to ease his conscience. Fabulous concludes by saying that he's the man that people should have with them, rather than the man they love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerard Harmon, John Jackson, Charles Murphy, Keith Wilkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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21 Sandwich
I don't have the album on this phone so I came here to bump real quick. such a classic #RIPCharlieMurphy
Noldy
Me too
Gregory Bhola
So Ludicrous Me Too
Tay215 Philly
Classic all day! Use to bump this when I was in Iraq while I was working out. Fab got bars, but Charlie made the song!!
shonviper
This is a great song to listen to on a sunny day with the top down.
theomgbrand
I love this song. My brother made the beat to this song
LaQuinta Nixon
RIP CHARLIE....a Real ☝
ExoXerxesTheThirteen
Charlie Murphy and FAB spitting Real Game to us in a very Charlie Murphy kind of way that I'm sure the majority and especially the very American/Systemic amongst us will never Understand if not take offense to it . : )
💚👽🖤
Mike Rutledge
RIP Charlie Murphy my Dude
retroflip
Fab always been consistent w his bars..