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."
Fire
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I think of you and I know we are something new
We get high and high, crazy blue like saint elmo's fire
Love's so sharp and fly, that it's hard to know just where you at, where you at
We get high and high, crazy blue, like saint elmo's fire
Love's so sharp and fly, that it's hard to know just where you at
We get high and high, crazy blue, like saint elmo's fire
Stimulate your mind, girl, it's friday you ain't got shit to do
I'll put you on to some real shit if you ain't scared to take a hit or two
Stay away from that reggie, can't deal with the middle men
Who gives a fuck if he keeping clean, you can't ride on the lil' ten's
They say they got it, they ain't got it, they won't seem to feel no guilt
Got peanut butter, but no jelly, got cereal, but no milk
Where I'm from that's a half ass nigga, half of the time 'ol half past nigga
Mad cause they can't get down with the team
Still standing at the end of the draft ass nigga
Getting high on these low lifes, dead these chumps give 'em no life
Cut 'em loose, keep your knife
Throw me the ho and make it your wife
Don't make a ho, your husband either
Hard to win the game when you're playing with a cheater
I be telling them that you can't change nigga
Better off, keeping that change, for the meter
We get high and high, crazy blue, like saint elmo's fire
Love's so sharp and fly, that it's hard to know just where you at
We get high and high, crazy blue, like saint elmo's fire
Love's so sharp and fly, that it's hard to know just where you at, we get high
How high? How high? Just came from the OG, man
My eyes so red, man, that M-E-T-H-O-D Man
I'm talking about pimping been since
Pimping since been pimping
I'm talking about going near, not a motherfuckers saying that near nutter
Tell 'em no more mister nice guy, you hoes way past Half Baked
If I got paid to hear chicks lie, would make more cheese than Kraft make
And these nigga be acting up, Ri Ri must be serious
Wonder what that shit hittin' for, real nigga is curious
These nigga stuck on my old joint
Already know how the high feel
Let a chick know she is not low, even though she's in high heels
Six hundred for the gas, that ain't nothing but the hot bill
Bitch, don't be a high kill, you know over here
We get high and high, crazy blue, like saint elmo's fine
Love's so sharp and fly, that it's hard to know just where you at
We get high and high, crazy blue, like saint elmo's fine
Love's so sharp and fly, that it's hard to know just where you at, we get high
In Fabolous's song "Fire," he raps about the intensity and passion he feels when he performs, as well as the prowess of his crew, the Flipmode Squad. He starts off with a reference to Busta Rhymes, who is a member of the Flipmode Squad and an acclaimed rapper known for his intense flow and unique style. Fabolous asserts that Busta Rhymes has more flavor than any other rapper out there, and that the rest of the squad also brings their hardcore energy to their performances. Fabolous emphasizes that he has to get his own "flawless flow" off his chest, meaning that he has to release this intensity and passion to the audience, who he believes will appreciate it.
He then raps about his own unique style, saying that his flow is impossible to replicate and that he is capable of anything when it comes to rapping. He also talks about how he attracts a certain type of listener - "real live niggas" who appreciate his type of shape and anticipate great things from him. He then talks about his readiness to use violence if necessary, saying that he carries a gun and can leave his victims in a "much worse" state. He dismisses any jealousy that other rappers might feel towards him and his crew, saying that they are just "embellishing" and that they have nothing on him. Finally, he talks about his ability to turn up any party with his performance, saying that he can make the crowd bounce and shake until the lights come on.
Overall, "Fire" is a song about the passion and intensity that rappers bring to their performances, as well as the power of a good crew to keep the energy up. Fabolous emphasizes his own unique style and the skill of his crew, while also showcasing his readiness to use violence if necessary. The song has a fast-paced and intense beat, which matches the lyrical content well.
Line by Line Meaning
Whether it's from all of us
Regardless of the source, what comes next should be taken seriously
You best believe Busta rhymes more flavor than all the rest
Busta Rhymes is the best in terms of adding flavor to music
From all the mess, hardcoreness from all the stress
Despite all the problems and pressure, the music remains hardcore
Gotsta get this flawless flow from off my chest
I need to deliver this perfect flow and express myself
Whose impossible folding impossible flow
My flow is so complex, it seems impossible to replicate
Ain't a thing in the world that ain't culpable so so
Everything is liable to criticism, including this music
I make you anticipate great
I will make you expect greatness from me
Type shape real live niggas appreciate
This is the kind of music that real people appreciate
To the utmost I pack toast, keep the gat closed
I am prepared to defend myself, but will not provoke trouble
Run niggas to the island I pack most
If necessary, I will run to a safe location with my weapons
After the gun burst quench my blood thirst
I will engage in violence if necessary, but only for self-defense
We will be leavin' you much worse so one hearse
Those who try to harm us will end up worse off and may need a hearse to take them away
Yo, now we embellish fuck the jealous
We will flaunt our success and ignore those who envy us
And they mark on niggas now what you gon' tell us
We are aware that some people are trying to undermine us, but we are not afraid
Skydiver, short circuit just like a live wire
Our energy is explosive and electrifying
And give it the niggas because we got the fire!
We are delivering this music with passion and energy, and it is contagious
All my people in the place
This music is for everyone in this venue
Just put your hands up in the air
Show your appreciation by raising your hands
And while we blow the spot and keep it hot
We will continue to deliver great music and make the crowd go wild
You got that fire!
The energy in this place is intense
Jump, shake, bounce when we come to you turn you out
Get ready to dance and move to the beat
It's Flipmode Squad that keeps on right your rightest place
Our group is responsible for keeping the party going in the best way
Rock until I'm gone
I will perform until the very end of this show
Till the party's over and he start turnin' the lights on
Even when the venue is trying to close, I will keep the party going
Type of shit, right inside your whole crew be on
This is the kind of music that everyone in the crowd is vibing to
No I ain't havin' it
I will not tolerate any negativity
Why you grabbin' it, my flow is immaculate
Don't try to copy me, my flow is perfect
Passionate when it comes to the fire that you have to get
I am driven by an intense passion for this music
Then I tackle it and kill like we Jackal and Jaffolit
I will attack and conquer my goals like a predator
Rob niggas and give it to the church so they can raffle it
I will make money and contribute to charity by donating some of it to the church
Now you can distinguish how
I will show you why I am the best
Afro-English flowin' broke in English
My rap style is a fusion of African and English influences
Witness how we stay hot and how we keep us goslin'
See for yourself how we maintain our energy and enthusiasm
Women flawsin' blow the spot often
The ladies love our music and the party is always wild when they're around
(WHAT) niggas say (what) you need to calculate
Shut out any negativity and focus on the task at hand
Re-evaluate the shit off so we retaliate
If necessary, we will defend ourselves against our enemies
Marinate, when I give the hustle and carry weight
I am patient and strategic in my approach to success
And bust up niggas like you would have the Bleat Estate
I will defeat anyone who challenges me
It's the niggas like y'all I hits for only when it counts
I only focus on my true enemies and competitors
Black on the set and make motherfuckers bounce
I will dominate this music scene and make people dance and vibe to my music
Connected the raw types of shit
I have a talent for making raw, authentic music
To make your bitch bug and make niggas pull out cake
My music is so good that it will make your girl go crazy and make people spend money to see me perform
Hey I think it's whack yo, I stack dough, and pack a rap show
I don't care what anyone thinks, I will continue to make money and put on great shows
And then let all of my niggas in the back door
I will make sure my crew is always taken care of
Fire!
This music is hot and energetic
Lyrics © Create Music Publishing
Written by: John Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind