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."

Faboloso
Fabolous Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Haha, uh, uh, uh, uh
Uh-huh-uh, uh, uh, uh-huh-uh
Uh, uh, uh-huh-uh, uh, uh

Mida, allow me to introduce myself, I'm known as Faboloso
When it's time to slide, I'm known to grab the most hoes
When I climb inside, they known to grab me close though (yeah)
When it's time to ride, I'm known to grab the toast though

By the expression on these hotties grill (uhuh)
I can tell that want to holla at somebody real (what up)
And I'm usually looking for somebody skilled (yeah)
Enough to make a nigga scream Ayayayo

Niggas get mad, cause I may slay they hoe
But I don't want to let these AK strays go
Stop face fightin' me, like ya face frighten me
Besides, what I need wit another case fightin' me

Nigga what I need is a ounce of good cronic (yeah)
Unbelievable amounts of hypnotic (yaeh)

A shorty wit a ass that bounce like hydraulics (yeah)
And a nigga is straighter than six o-clock (yeah)

Overall Meaning

In Fabolous's song "Faboloso," he introduces himself as Faboloso and boasts about his reputation for attracting women effortlessly. He also mentions his preparedness to defend himself with a weapon when needed. He observes the attention he gets from women around him and implies that they see him as someone skilled and real. Fabolous is confident about his abilities to satisfy the sexual desires of these women and mentions that this often triggers retaliation from jealous men. Instead of engaging in physical confrontations, he prefers to indulge himself in pleasurable substances such as marijuana and hypnotic drinks. His ideal woman is one who has an attractive body with a booty that moves up and down like a hydraulic mechanism.

The lyrics of this song represent Fabolous's confident and assertive character. His bragging and exaggerating about his sexual prowess and affection from women illustrate his dominance over them. The use of slang words and imagery like "bounce like hydraulics" creates an appealing and captivating lyrical experience for the audience. In essence, Fabolous delivers a message of self-love, confidence and being unapologetic about oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

Mida, allow me to introduce myself, I'm known as Faboloso
Hello, my name is Faboloso and I would like to introduce myself

When it's time to slide, I'm known to grab the most hoes
When I go out, I'm good at attracting a lot of women

When I climb inside, they known to grab me close though (yeah)
When I get into bed with them, they like to hold onto me

When it's time to ride, I'm known to grab the toast though
When it's time to go out and do some illegal activities, I like to carry my gun

By the expression on these hotties grill (uhuh)
I can tell by looking at their faces

I can tell that want to holla at somebody real (what up)
I can tell that they want to talk to someone who is authentic

And I'm usually looking for somebody skilled (yeah)
I'm looking for someone who is good at something

Enough to make a nigga scream Ayayayo
Good enough to make me very excited

Niggas get mad, cause I may slay they hoe
Other men get angry when I have sex with their girlfriend

But I don't want to let these AK strays go
But I don't want to get into a gun fight

Stop face fightin' me, like ya face frighten me
Stop threatening me with violence

Besides, what I need wit another case fightin' me
I don't want to get into any more legal trouble

Nigga what I need is a ounce of good cronic (yeah)
What I would really like is some high-quality marijuana

Unbelievable amounts of hypnotic (yaeh)
And some alcohol to go along with it

A shorty wit a ass that bounce like hydraulics (yeah)
I would also like a woman with a large butt

And a nigga is straighter than six o-clock (yeah)
And I want to make it clear that I'm not gay

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT S. KELLY, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, KENNETH IFILL, ERNESTO DAVID JR. SHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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