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 personβ¦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 Was The Same
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm old enough to know better, young enough to not give a fuck
Rather hold my head high and die, then live and duck
I gotta set it off, Jada Queen and Vivica
The last chick was scared to get that money, I can't live like her
Got no problem with you, niggas, get it how you live it, bro
It's a cold world, these mean streets will shiver you
If not my boy will put the beats on you, Karen Civil you
That boy be on his shoot first, never mind the trivia
My advice, don't mess with his man, word to Nivea
We go back to when we got that white from Bolivia
We was candy shopping before 50 and Olivia
That's when you would go uptown 'cause you had to re' there
Everybody broke back then, you had to repair
Drug dealing was cool back then, you had to beware
That was the 90's, y'all wouldn't get it, you had to be there
That's why I'm glad to be here, some of us never made it
It's hard to get off the ground, y'all think I just levitated
Y'all think it was all love and nobody ever hated
Y'all think 'cause I never stated I never been devastated
All y'all see is sun shining, think I was never shaded
Y'all think these calendar models is all that I ever dated
Nigga, nothing was the same, HOT 97 played it
Every day they made it that I stayed with 57 played it
Can't trust nobody, the crib is heavy gated
You ask why? I tell them even heaven's gated
You know why? 'Cause when you good the devil hate it
And even if you heavy weighted people want you feather weighted
Attention, I never paid it, me and this clever lady
She brains, do some things, then we lay together faded
And while I chill, loaded up a steel
Just wishing a nigga would but knowing a nigga will
But for real, nigga, good is how you feel
But soon as a nigga good is as soon as a nigga will
Still, I don't owe these niggas nothing, put that in a nigga will
Damned if you do them, if you don't, don't, don't, don't
They don't have a hand on your head of what you're doing now
You're damned if you do them, if you don't
People sit around and judge you anyway
Don't, don't, don't
In Fabolous's song "Everything Was The Same," the opening line sets the tone for the rest of the verses: "Yeah, everything, everything was the same." The line implies that despite any changes or developments that have occurred in the course of his life, he still feels as though things have remained the same. He continues by expressing his unapologetic attitude, stating that he's old enough to know better, but young enough to not care about the consequences of his actions. He would rather die with his head held high than live a life where he constantly has to watch his back.
Fabolous then shifts his focus to his experiences with drug dealing in the 90s, a time when "drug dealing was cool." He paints a vivid picture of what life was like back then, with "everybody broke," drug dealing being the norm, and the danger that came with it. Fabolous emphasizes the idea of loyalty, stating that he expects the same respect that he gives to others. He also warns others not to mess with his people who would "put the beats on you, Karen Civil you."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, everything, everything was the same
Nothing has really changed from the past, everything is still the same.
I'm old enough to know better, young enough to not give a fuck
Even though I know better, I am still going to do what I want without worrying about what others think.
Rather hold my head high and die, then live and duck
I would rather die standing up for what I believe in than live a life where I am always hiding and afraid.
I gotta set it off, Jada Queen and Vivica
I have to make things happen and take control of my life, just like Jada, Queen, and Vivica did in their careers.
The last chick was scared to get that money, I can't live like her
I can't be with a woman who is afraid to go after success and money like I am.
Got no problem with you, niggas, get it how you live it, bro
I don't judge other people for how they make their money or live their lives, as long as they're not causing harm to others.
It's a cold world, these mean streets will shiver you
Life can be tough and cruel, and if you're not careful, it can leave you cold and alone.
All I asks is for the same respect that I be giving you
I expect people to treat me with the same respect that I give to them.
If not my boy will put the beats on you, Karen Civil you
If you don't respect me, I have people who will make you pay for it, just like Karen Civil was exposed for her actions.
That boy be on his shoot first, never mind the trivia
My friend is not afraid to take action and defend himself or those he cares about, even if it means ignoring smaller details.
My advice, don't mess with his man, word to Nivea
I caution you not to get on my friend's bad side, as it can lead to consequences like it did for Nivea.
We go back to when we got that white from Bolivia
My friend and I have been through a lot together, including buying drugs from Bolivia in the past.
We was candy shopping before 50 and Olivia
We were buying expensive things and living the high life before it became a popular theme in rap music.
That's when you would go uptown 'cause you had to re' there
We had to go to certain areas of town to get what we needed, and we did it because we had to survive.
Everybody broke back then, you had to repair
During the 90's, we were all struggling financially and had to work hard to make ends meet.
Drug dealing was cool back then, you had to beware
Even though drug dealing was glamorized in the past, it came with risks and dangers that people had to be aware of.
That was the 90's, y'all wouldn't get it, you had to be there
These experiences and struggles are hard to understand if you didn't live through them yourself.
That's why I'm glad to be here, some of us never made it
I am grateful to have made it through those tough times, knowing that not everyone was as fortunate.
It's hard to get off the ground, y'all think I just levitated
Success isn't easy, and just because I made it seem effortless, doesn't mean it was.
Y'all think it was all love and nobody ever hated
People assume that my success came without any negative experiences or criticism, which isn't true.
Y'all think 'cause I never stated I never been devastated
Just because I didn't openly express my pain or struggles doesn't mean they never existed.
All y'all see is sun shining, think I was never shaded
People only see the good things and success, without realizing the hard work and struggles that got me there.
Y'all think these calendar models is all that I ever dated
People assume that I only date beautiful women, but that isn't true as personality is equally important to me.
Nigga, nothing was the same, HOT 97 played it
Things changed after the release of Drake's album with the same name, which was played frequently on HOT 97.
Every day they made it that I stayed with 57 played it
HOT 97 played my music regularly, which helped to boost my popularity and success.
Can't trust nobody, the crib is heavy gated
I have learned not to trust anyone easily, and have taken measures to protect myself and my home from potential threats.
You ask why? I tell them even heaven's gated
I am cautious and protective because even in heaven, there are gates that require permission to enter.
You know why? 'Cause when you good the devil hate it
Success can attract negativity and envy, and even the devil dislikes when good things happen to people.
And even if you heavy weighted people want you feather weighted
No matter how successful or accomplished you are, there will always be people who try to bring you down or minimize your achievements.
Attention, I never paid it, me and this clever lady
I don't let negative attention affect me, and instead focus on my music and my relationship with my girlfriend.
She brains, do some things, then we lay together faded
My girlfriend is intelligent and we enjoy spending time together, sometimes getting high or drunk.
And while I chill, loaded up a steel
While I relax and unwind, I am still armed and prepared for any potential danger or threats.
Just wishing a nigga would but knowing a nigga will
Even though I hope no one tries to attack me or my home, I am aware that it could happen and am prepared to defend myself.
But for real, nigga, good is how you feel
At the end of the day, your own happiness and well-being is what truly matters.
But soon as a nigga good is as soon as a nigga will
As soon as you achieve success and happiness, you're more likely to attract negative attention and people who want to bring you down.
Still, I don't owe these niggas nothing, put that in a nigga will
Despite my success and wealth, I don't owe anything to anyone else and am not obligated to help or please anyone else.
Damned if you do them, if you don't, don't, don't, don't
No matter what you do, someone will find fault in your actions or criticize your decisions.
They don't have a hand on your head of what you're doing now
Other people may voice their opinions or expectations, but ultimately you are in control of your own actions and decisions.
You're damned if you do them, if you don't
No matter what path or decisions you make, there will always be criticism and negativity from others.
People sit around and judge you anyway
People will always find a reason to judge and criticize others, even if they don't know the full story or context.
Don't, don't, don't
Don't let other people's opinions and judgments control or discourage you from pursuing your goals and dreams.
Contributed by Mason S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ykeif444
only 1.8 mil views is an understatement of underratedπ€¦πΎββοΈ 8 years later im still spinnin thisπ₯
@childrenoflight144
That's facts still bump all his shit
@tonykennedy
It's at 2 mil now
@ykeif444
@@tonykennedy thats still low to me this song is super slept on wtfπ€¦πΎββοΈ
@brad4492
facts man
@desertsdetour3624
That's a Fendi and this verse from transformation but he put the singer on it made it better
@XCaPTainClipzX
Woke up singing the chorus this morning and havenβt been able to get it out of my head since. Fab and Stacy went crazy on thisπ₯! So underrated
@erichood7980
a
@tywandadaniels8120
this song will never get old !!!
@alandisdavis405
Nothing was the sameπ