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."
Everything
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the same old thing got the name on the chain just to let them know who's who
And they know I've over here so they come and find me right after they lose you
For you niggas in the way we can let the guns say "excuse you"
At the end of the day we just trying find our way and I might be a come up
And baby you hitch a ride but u gotta know how to do more than how to keep a thump up
It's so incredible that it ain't edible but they know the cake's real
Yo I couldn't even say ask these other silicon niggas how being fake feel
[Chorus]
Everyday is my day I'ma do it my way everyday
Everything about me, what they love about me everything
Everywhere that I be, feel VIP baby
And everybody's cool, but y'all just ain't me
Somebody better tell em that we in this bitch like an unborn baby
See we be everywhere, and they ain't never there, couldn't tell you where they be
And you already know you ain't gotta ask me you can see that everything is up
And I'm so bout my money you ain't talking about no money you ain't even gotta bring it up
And I hope you don't think me give a sugar honey iced tea or a middle finger up
I just stay sucker-free, leave the lames where they be, and I let my chips pringle up
Everybody calm down, there's enough to go around, you just gotta say how much you want
Don't know what you're looking for, unless it's a problem, I promise this ain't what you want
[Chorus]
Can you do me this favor, answer this question, y'all gon try who
See the shoes by Gucci, bag by Louie, the hating'll be by you
And I appreciate the love, thank the man above cause a nigga feel so blessed
And I ain't gonna stop, better get them red bulls, I don't give these haters no rest
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Fabolous feat. Keri Hilson & Ryan Leslie's song Everything Everyday Everywhere is all about living life on one's own terms, with confidence and awareness of one's place in the world. The opening lines "Same shit different day just riding through the city looking prettiest as usual" gives the impression that the artists are living a luxurious life and they are used to it. Fabolous talks about how he has to keep up his image so that others can recognize him. He also implies that people always come looking for him after they have lost someone. This could mean that he is a reliable person to be trusted or that he is opportunistic and tries to reap the benefits of other people's mistakes.
The chorus talks about how Fabolous is living his life to the fullest or "doing it his way" as the lyrics suggest. Everywhere he goes, he is a VIP and people love everything about him, but they can't be him. The second verse is more confrontational as he tells people that they can't be like him and that they are not as present and visible as he is. He also talks about how he's focused on his money and that he is not interested in people who don't have any money. The song ends with Fabolous demanding that people don't try him and that he'll keep going and won't give his haters any rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Same shit different day just riding through the city looking prettiest as usual
I'm going through the same routine every day, cruising through the city as usual and looking the best as always
It's the same old thing got the name on the chain just to let them know who's who
It's just another repetitive thing; I wear my name on the chain to differentiate myself from others, so people can recognize me.
And they know I've over here so they come and find me right after they lose you
People know I'm around, so when they lose you, they come running to me for help.
For you niggas in the way we can let the guns say "excuse you"
If someone is in the way, we can use guns to make them move (not literal advice or a threat - just part of the song)
At the end of the day we just trying find our way and I might be a come up
Ultimately, we're all just trying to find our way, and I could be someone else's opportunity for success
And baby you hitch a ride but u gotta know how to do more than how to keep a thump up
You can come along with me, but you need to bring more to the table than just looking good and dancing
It's so incredible that it ain't edible but they know the cake's real
It's amazing and unbelievable, but people know that what I have is for real
Yo I couldn't even say ask these other silicon niggas how being fake feel
Frankly, I don't know how fake people can handle being fake all the time; it's not something I do or appreciate
Somebody better tell em that we in this bitch like an unborn baby
We're in control of the situation, like how an unborn baby dominates the mother's body
See we be everywhere, and they ain't never there, couldn't tell you where they be
We're present and visible all the time, but they're never there, and we have no idea where they are
And you already know you ain't gotta ask me you can see that everything is up
You don't even need to ask me - just look around and see that everything is going well
And I'm so bout my money you ain't talking about no money you ain't even gotta bring it up
Money is essential to me, and if you're not talking about money, we don't even need to have a conversation
And I hope you don't think me give a sugar honey iced tea or a middle finger up
I hope you don't think I care or am offended, because I'm really not
I just stay sucker-free, leave the lames where they be, and I let my chips pringle up
I stay away from fake people and focus on myself, letting my wealth accumulate
Everybody calm down, there's enough to go around, you just gotta say how much you want
There's enough for everyone, just ask for what you want calmly
Don't know what you're looking for, unless it's a problem, I promise this ain't what you want
You don't know what you're getting yourself into unless you're looking for trouble; I promise this isn't what you're looking for
Everyday is my day I'ma do it my way everyday
I own every day, and I'm going to do it my way every day
Everything about me, what they love about me everything
People love everything about me, everything that makes me who I am
Everywhere that I be, feel VIP baby
Everywhere I go, I feel like a VIP, like I deserve special treatment
And everybody's cool, but y'all just ain't me
Everyone's fine, but they're not me and can't do what I do
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN LESLIE, KERI LYNN HILSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CHEF1187
This is a perfectly scintillated and well produced song. Everything about it is beautiful and that's why I still bump it in 2023👌🏾
South Africa approves 🇿🇦
@mateusz.chodacz
After 5 years, I still can not believe that this song has not achieved much success.. best beat ever!
@sammyrahman6341
And you wrote this 5 years ago.. damn time flies
@cashandtheecity
😫😫
@steveportillo1717
💯
@OkOkOk123
Mario
@romankiselev8607
Damn, he wrote it 8 years ago
@Dopedev
my favorite part is near the end when Keri repeatedly sings "every", her voice sounds so flawless
@juniorjoseph5047
Ilove you fabolous
@thegemdropper6871
Dev Cann you were just reading my mind my dude!!!!