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."
Cinnamon Apple
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My cinnamon apple, said you know you did me wrong
My cinnamon apple, you know you did me wrong
My cinnamon apple, said you know you did me wrong
Look I wanna take y'all back to 7th grade, middle school
Skinny kid that everybody knew
Had my intial ring, gold chain, my lil' jewels
What was more than most had so I never got ridiculed
This was '89, matter fact it was '90
Crack was already huge, the streets start getting grimey
But I wasn't in that world then
I'm 13, all I'm thinkin' bout is Nike's, basketball and my girlfriend
Yeah, who at the time was Tia Williams
And she had no idea that one day I would see a million
This is a teengae love, few months but we was buildin'
She was grown, I was the man but we was children
She had ass though, I mean for her age or whatever
She wore my ring some times like we engaged or whatever
And this the "No, you hang up first" dial tone era
Your mom's pick up and say "Hang up my house phone" era
And I hated that, how you gon' scream in my baby ear
That pretty lil' brown skin girl with the baby hair
As we was going steady, my sex drive was so Andretti
She a virgin but I feel like it's time, I know she ready
He ain't got much experience, but she don't know that
That boy's chance is coming up, I hope he don't blow that
I'm waiting for the opportunity, mama at work
Start with a kiss, then I'm in her shirt, next I'm in her skirt
You know that always heard that the first time gonna hurt
That's what she heard from her cousin, 'lied and told her it doesn't
And so to me, it's just a matter of time
That Tia gon' give it up to me and that'll be mine
But one day I was absent, I came back to school
Learned that, I left the man but I came back the fool
They said that "Tia did some bullshit, I mean did y'all speak?"
She cut school, lost her virginity, some kid named Khalif
An I'm stuck... Like what the fuck?
I ain't hear that my girl did what?
But had to act like I ain't care
Felt like I wanted to cry, but nah I ain't tear
That first time I learned that trust ain't a must if I ain't there
And of course we broke up, she moved on, I did the same
I ended up with some next girl, forget her name
Which probably isn't right, cause we used to get along
But I remember Tia, cause she did me wrong
My cinnamon apple, you know you did me wrong
My cinnamon apple, said you know you did me wrong
My cinnamon apple, you know you did me wrong
My cinnamon apple, said you know you did me wrong
In the song "Cinnamon Apple" by Fabolous featuring Kevin Hart, the rapper reflects on his past relationship with a girl named Tia. He reminisces about the simpler times back in middle school when they were dating and how he was determined to make her his. However, one day he finds out that Tia had sex with someone else and everything came crashing down. He felt betrayed and hurt, even though technically they weren't exclusive. Even though he moved on from her and dated other girls, Tia left a lasting impression on him and he can't help but think back to that time.
The lyrics are a reflection on the first heartbreak that most people experience in their teenage years. Fabolous paints a vivid picture of his youthful innocence and his subsequent loss of trust in relationships. He also touches on the societal problems of the time, such as the crack epidemic and the impact it had on the streets.
Overall, "Cinnamon Apple" is a nostalgic track that explores the complexity of young love and the pain of betrayal. It's a heartfelt song that showcases Fabolous' vulnerable side, and one that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
My cinnamon apple, you know you did me wrong
The singer is addressing someone who has wronged him, referring to them as his 'cinnamon apple.'
My cinnamon apple, said you know you did me wrong
The singer repeats his message, stating that the person he is addressing is aware of the wrong they've done.
Look I wanna take y'all back to 7th grade, middle school
The singer is introducing a story from his past and setting the scene in a middle school in 7th grade.
Skinny kid that everybody knew
The artist provides a description of himself as a young boy.
I was a lil' cool
The artist is stating that he had some level of coolness or popularity despite being skinny.
Had my initial ring, gold chain, my lil' jewels
The singer is describing some of the jewelry he wore as a teenager.
What was more than most had so I never got ridiculed
The singer is saying that his jewelry made him stand out in a positive way and helped him avoid being made fun of.
This was '89, matter fact it was '90
The artist is specifying the time period of his story.
Crack was already huge, the streets start getting grimey
The artist is acknowledging the drug epidemic of that era.
But I wasn't in that world then
The artist is stating that he wasn't involved in the drug scene as a teenager.
I'm 13, all I'm thinking bout is Nike's, basketball and my girlfriend
The singer is providing context for his priorities at this age.
Yeah, who at the time was Tia Williams
The artist is introducing his girlfriend at the time, Tia Williams.
And she had no idea that one day I would see a million
The singer is noting that Tia had no idea about the success he would later achieve in life.
This is a teenage love, few months but we was buildin'
The singer is describing his relationship with Tia as a young love that was still in its early stages but growing.
She was grown, I was the man but we was children
The singer is acknowledging that despite feeling like an adult in the relationship, they were still very young and immature.
She had ass though, I mean for her age or whatever
The artist is making a comment on Tia's physical appearance.
She wore my ring sometimes like we engaged or whatever
The artist is describing a playful moment in his relationship with Tia.
And this the 'No, you hang up first' dial tone era
The singer is referencing a time when people would talk on the phone and struggle to be the first person to hang up.
Your mom's pick up and say 'Hang up my house phone' era
The singer is noting that it was a common occurrence for someone's mother to interrupt a phone call by asking the other person to hang up the phone.
And I hated that, how you gon' scream in my baby ear
The artist is expressing his frustration with Tia's mother interrupting their phone calls.
That pretty lil' brown skin girl with the baby hair
The artist is once again commenting on Tia's physical appearance.
As we was going steady, my sex drive was so Andretti
The artist is noting that he was very horny and sexually driven while dating Tia.
She a virgin but I feel like it's time, I know she ready
The singer is expressing his desire to have sex with Tia, despite her being a virgin.
He ain't got much experience, but she don't know that
The artist is acknowledging that he doesn't have much sexual experience, but assumes Tia doesn't know that.
That boy's chance is coming up, I hope he don't blow that
The singer is referring to himself and hoping that he doesn't mess up the opportunity to have sex with Tia.
I'm waiting for the opportunity, mama at work
The singer is biding his time until he can be alone with Tia while her mother is at work.
Start with a kiss, then I'm in her shirt, next I'm in her skirt
The singer is describing the progression of events that led up to him having sex with Tia.
You know that always heard that the first time gonna hurt
The artist is acknowledging that there's a common belief that the first sexual experience will be painful for the woman.
That's what she heard from her cousin, 'lied and told her it doesn't
The artist is accusing Tia's cousin of lying to her about the pain involved in a woman's first sexual experience.
And so to me, it's just a matter of time
The singer is expressing his belief that Tia will eventually have sex with him again.
That Tia gon' give it up to me and that'll be mine
The singer is saying that he believes Tia will have sex with him again and that will make her his.
But one day I was absent, I came back to school
The artist is introducing a turning point in his story.
Learned that, I left the man but I came back the fool
The artist is saying that he went from being in control of his situation to feeling foolish and out of the loop.
They said that 'Tia did some bullshit, I mean did y'all speak?'
The artist is relaying what others have told him about Tia's actions while he was absent.
She cut school, lost her virginity, some kid named Khalif
The singer is learning that Tia skipped school and had sex with someone else while he was absent.
An I'm stuck... Like what the fuck?
The artist is expressing shock and disbelief at what he's just heard.
I ain't hear that my girl did what?
The singer is repeating his disbelief at what he's just learned.
But had to act like I ain't care
The singer is saying that he had to pretend not to care about what happened, even though he was deeply hurt.
Felt like I wanted to cry, but nah I ain't tear
The singer is acknowledging that under different circumstances, he may have cried, but he didn't in this moment.
That first time I learned that trust ain't a must if I ain't there
The artist is reflecting on what he's learned from this experience - namely, that trust can easily be broken if he's not there to witness things for himself.
And of course we broke up, she moved on, I did the same
The artist is summarizing what happened to the relationship with Tia after he learned what had happened while he was absent.
I ended up with some next girl, forget her name
The singer is stating that he moved on from Tia and dated someone else, but doesn't remember her name.
Which probably isn't right, cause we used to get along
The singer is acknowledging that it's not fair for him to have forgotten the name of someone he used to care about.
But I remember Tia, cause she did me wrong
The artist is admitting that he still remembers Tia because of the pain she caused him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN JACKSON, DARIUS BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind