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."
Click & Spark
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how we do things
(uh)Right now (uh), whachu bout to hear (uh, yea)
whachu bout to witness
[Fab] F A B O L O U S
[Clue](O L O U S!)
[Clue]Come on, my man Fabolous (uh, yea, uh)
the album, Ghetto Fabolous (come on, uh, yo)
[Fabolous]
My gun go click and spark
Don't leave witnesses to point me out on 106 and Park
Son those slick remarks, gon' get you
Bla-bla da da,bla-bla da da da da (blaow!)
Y'all walk through my p's in karats
Wind up hook on machines, livin' like peas and carrots
Ya team wanna beef, thats when I screw the muzzle on the tip
And strap the beam underneath
When I ride through, ya dont see no lid
I put snipers on the roof like Nino did
All it takes is some c-note slid
To have you on the news askin if anyone seen yo' kid
I dont scream it in a rough tone
I got spots in the whip to stuff crome, that would of help Puff Combs
Every hustler on this planet ask
Givin' away twenties so big, they in sandwhich bags, nigga
uh, yea
F A B, O L O U S
yea, fo real, uh, yo, uh
[Verse 2]
These niggaz gots to be punched
Act stupid, get shells in ya stomache, like you ate pasta for lunch
If I let this diablo door raid
I'ma have the front of ya crib lookin like Diallos doorway
See I know all yays, we buy ours pure-yay
We waitin on boats, these guys go Broadway
Ya gon make me tie a bomb under ya Benz
See how much you talk wit firearms under ya chin
No you can't take the coupe wit dishes
Cause when I hit the highway, it always makes the troop suspicious
Please, I get my dollar from the hersey
I'm on that fly gangsta shit, I pop the collar on my jersey
You know I got the heat the way the Vanson is bendin
Same laid back flow, no dancin' or grinin'
Who else can it be spellin it at them
You have them tappin they friend like "I'm tellin you that's him", stupid
In Fabolous's song Click & Spark, he boasts about his power and prowess with a gun, claiming that with a simple click and spark he can eliminate any potential threat or witness. Fabolous also demonstrates his ability to evade the law by using coded language and making references to notorious criminals such as Nino Brown from the film New Jack City. His description of being able to put "snipers on the roof like Nino did" is a direct reference to a scene in which Nino Brown is shown to have snipers on the roof of his building to protect him from anyone who may try to harm him.
Fabolous also uses his lyrics to flaunt his extravagant lifestyle, speaking about his possessions such as diamond encrusted jewelry and luxurious cars. He even suggests that he has enough money to bribe someone for information, stating "All it takes is some c-note slid, to have you on the news askin' if anyone seen yo' kid".
Line by Line Meaning
My gun go click and spark
I have a gun that fires when I pull the trigger
Don't leave witnesses to point me out on 106 and Park
I don't want to leave anyone alive who can identify me on TV
Son those slick remarks, gon' get you
If you make smart comments, you'll get in trouble
Bla-bla da da,bla-bla da da da da (blaow!)
Sound of guns going off
Y'all walk through my p’s in karats
You're walking on my expensive diamond floor
Wind up hook on machines, livin' like peas and carrots
I'm hooked up to life support machines in the hospital
Ya team wanna beef, that's when I screw the muzzle on the tip
If your team wants to fight, I'll put a silencer on my gun
And strap the beam underneath
I'll put a laser sight on my gun
When I ride through, ya don't see no lid
I'm driving without a roof on my car
I put snipers on the roof like Nino did
I have snipers ready to shoot like in the movie 'New Jack City'
All it takes is some c-note slid
All it takes is a hundred dollar bill to get something done
To have you on the news askin' if anyone seen yo' kid
You'll be on TV asking if anyone has seen your missing child
I don't scream it in a rough tone
I don't say it loudly or aggressively
I got spots in the whip to stuff crome, that would of help Puff Combs
I have secret compartments in my car to hide guns, like P. Diddy
Every hustler on this planet ask
Everyone who's trying to make money asks
Givin' away twenties so big, they in sandwhich bags, nigga
I'm giving away big stacks of money, so big I have to use sandwich bags to hold them
These niggaz gots to be punched
These guys need to be punched/taught a lesson
Act stupid, get shells in ya stomache, like you ate pasta for lunch
If you act foolish, you'll get shot and end up with a stomach full of bullet shells
If I let this diablo door raid
If I let this devilish thing happen
I'ma have the front of ya crib lookin like Diallos doorway
Your house will look like the scene of Amadou Diallo's death
See I know all yays, we buy ours pure-yay
I know everything about cocaine, we only buy the purest
We waitin on boats, these guys go Broadway
We're waiting for cocaine shipments, these other guys are buying cocaine on the street
Ya gon make me tie a bomb under ya Benz
You're going to make me put a bomb under your car
See how much you talk wit firearms under ya chin
Let's see how tough you are with a gun under your chin
No you can't take the coupe wit dishes
You can't take the car with the drugs
Cause when I hit the highway, it always makes the troop suspicious
Because when I'm on the highway, it looks like I'm carrying drugs, which attracts attention
Please, I get my dollar from the hersey
I make my money selling drugs
I'm on that fly gangsta shit, I pop the collar on my jersey
I'm a stylish gangster, I like to pop the collar on my shirt
You know I got the heat the way the Vanson is bendin
You know I have a gun because my leather coat is bulging
Same laid back flow, no dancin' or grinin'
I have the same relaxed rap style, no dancing or smiling
Who else can it be spellin it at them
Who else could be rapping like this at them
You have them tappin' they friend like "I'm tellin you that's him", stupid
You'll have people tapping their friends saying 'that's him', because they recognize my voice
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERNESTO SHAW, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, KEN IFILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind