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 Remix
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me just make this statement
Loud and clear - Jersey's here
Hey, Ja, Joey
Triangle Offense do it like ... (whoa)
["what" - repeated in background]
[female voice: "yeah" - repeated]
Maybe it's the dipped Jesuses
The twin Jesuses with diamonds in them, that's clear they break gooses
Maybe cause I'm in they roofless or the Hypno I put in they juices
I'm the "Joe Millionaire" of rap and one of these chicks
is gonna get picked and gonna get dicked
I'm all that and then some, y'all cats have been bums
That's pocket change, you call that an income?
Tell the way I walk that I'm doin my thing (uh huh)
A lot a niggaz talk but ain't doin a thing (uh uh)
Whatever come in the fall, I do in the spring
See I told y'all I'm doin my thing
And I'm winnin by a landslide, damn right
Don't you see the way they point at this man's ride
Now, look at here, I took it there
I'ma make this statement loud and clear - Brooklyn's here
[Chorus - Joe Budden (female voice - repeats "yeah" in background of Chorus)]
That fire, problems in the club, reach for that snub
Look dog it's on fire, that's when you turn it up
You wanna burn it up, come deal with them riders
Small one on my hip, when you hear the clip
You got to see fire, when it all hits the wire
We gonna light it on fire
[Break - Joe Budden]
We gonna do it like
We gonna do it like
(We gonna light it on fire)
Triangle Offense daddy
Cain (we gonna light it on fire)
I know you got somethin more
["yeah" - repeated]
Don't even hold
The intro to Fire Remix sets the tone, as Joe Budden proclaims “Jersey’s here,” letting the listeners know that he’s present and ready to represent. This is followed by Fabolous’ opening verse, where he brags about his success, which he attributes to the lavish lifestyle he lives – owning a car that everyone points at, and wearing expensive diamond-studded jewelry. He also boasts that he’s the “Joe Millionaire” of rap, with one of the girls vying for his attention. Fabolous declares that he’s “all that and then some” and chides other rappers for not doing enough to attain success.
Joe Budden returns for the chorus, reminding listeners that they don’t want problems when he and his crew are present since they’re armed, warning haters that if they mess with them, they’ll feel the heat. He highlights the importance of loyalty and riding for one’s crew. Overall, the song Fire Remix is an ode to the hard work and dedication it takes to attain success and the importance of keeping oneself and one’s crew safe while enjoying life.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me just make this statement
Introducing a declaration that needs to be heard
Loud and clear - Jersey's here
New Jersey's presence is being declared and made known clearly
Hey, Ja, Joey
Addresses Ja Rule and Joe Budden in a friendly manner
Triangle Offense do it like ... (whoa)
Referring to a basketball play/style, and saying that they do it just as impressively
"what" - repeated in background
Background noise used for effect
[female voice: "yeah" - repeated]
Background noise used for effect
Maybe it's the dipped Jesuses
Possibly it's the diamond-encrusted Jesus piece necklaces I wear
The twin Jesuses with diamonds in them, that's clear they break gooses
My two diamond-encrusted Jesus piece necklaces are so blindingly clear that they could cause the breakage of grey geese
Maybe cause I'm in they roofless or the Hypno I put in they juices
Maybe the reason why women are attracted to me is because I'm in a convertible or I spiked their drinks with Hypnotiq
I'm the "Joe Millionaire" of rap and one of these chicks
I'm the male version of a gold-digger and one of these women I'm interested in will end up with me
is gonna get picked and gonna get dicked
One of these women is going to be chosen to be with me and I will have sex with her
I'm all that and then some, y'all cats have been bums
I'm very impressive and have achieved more than you others who are failures
That's pocket change, you call that an income?
The money you consider to be an income is so little it's like pocket change in comparison
Tell the way I walk that I'm doin my thing (uh huh)
My confident and cool walk is evidence that I'm achieving success
A lot a niggaz talk but ain't doin a thing (uh uh)
Many people talk a big game but aren't actually achieving anything
Whatever come in the fall, I do in the spring
I achieve things ahead of time and with ease
See I told y'all I'm doin my thing
I've already announced that I'm achieving success
And I'm winnin by a landslide, damn right
I'm winning easily and without much effort
Don't you see the way they point at this man's ride
People admire my car and point it out when they see it
Now, look at here, I took it there
Listen here, I achieved something great and impressive
I'ma make this statement loud and clear - Brooklyn's here
I'm boldly announcing that Brooklyn is represented and has arrived
That fire, problems in the club, reach for that snub
When there's a problem in the club, bring out the gun and handle it
Look dog it's on fire, that's when you turn it up
When things get heated, that's when you should step up your game
You wanna burn it up, come deal with them riders
If you want to party and have a good time, come hang out with us
Small one on my hip, when you hear the clip
I have a small gun on my hip, and when you hear the sound of the bullet clip, beware
You got to see fire, when it all hits the wire
You will see a dangerous situation when it hits the news or is officially reported
We gonna light it on fire
We're going to have a wild and crazy time
We gonna do it like
We're going to party like they've never partied before
(We gonna light it on fire)
We're going to have an amazing time
Triangle Offense daddy
Referring to a basketball play/style
Cain (we gonna light it on fire)
A reference to the biblical character Cain and a repeating of the previous statement
I know you got somethin more
You've got more to give or bring to the table
["yeah" - repeated]
Background noise used for effect
Don't even hold
Don't hold back or hesitate
Contributed by Samuel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.