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."
Freestyle
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Fabolous
Brooklyn
How real is that?
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S-
[Verse 1: Fabolous]
Hop out the Range Rover with led
Inf on it so I won't aim over ya head
Ya'll niggas that give my name over to feds
I dump slugs in ya pull ya chain over ya head
I could hire trained soldiers instead
Cause I rather flip shit call a dame over for head
Sip gin 'tiil I wake with hang overs in bed
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S-
The skinny hard fellow
That brainwashed ghettos
With nickels of crack the size of marshmellows
Cops heard this heard that
I come through where I purchased birds at
Fur this fur that
Let me find out you givin' words to the Dees
I push ya top back like
Going to Guadalupe just to splurge a few gees
Ya'll want birds and hoochies
I want birds and cuties
Guess I'm a lucky guy
All I stay is ducky high
Next day in the Rover tryin' to suck me dry
Throw 20s on me truck me bye
Unless they crack the dash they ain't tryin' to hold me suck
These thighs motherfucker
[Fabolous:]
Fabolous
Get it right
Brooklyn
Clumminati
Yeah
In Fabolous's song Freestyle, the rapper is asserting his dominance in the rap game and warning those who would dare to cross him. He starts off by proclaiming his name and his city, Brooklyn, establishing his pride and identity. Then, he launches into a series of aggressive lines, bragging about his skills with a gun and his ability to hire mercenaries to do his bidding. He warns anyone who might betray him, threatening to put a bullet in their head and dump their body in the street. Throughout the song, Fabolous emphasizes his toughness and the fear he inspires in others.
However, even as he boasts about his violent tendencies, Fabolous also shows off his clever wordplay and aptitude for storytelling. He describes how he made his fortune selling crack in the ghetto, using a metaphor of "nickels of crack the size of marshmellows" to illustrate the scale of his operation. He also pokes fun at those who prioritize material possessions over loyalty, mocking them for chasing after "birds and hoochies" while he seeks out "birds and cuties." Despite the menacing tone of his lyrics, Fabolous's love for wordplay and his attention to detail make Freestyle a captivating track.
Overall, Freestyle showcases Fabolous's strengths as a rapper: his tough, unyielding persona and his witty wordplay. The song provides a window into the world of a streetwise hustler who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, but who also has a sharp mind and a talent for storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
The games over I'm fed
I am done playing games, I am fed up with all the nonsense.
Hop out the Range Rover with led
I get out of my car with a gun, ready for whatever comes my way.
Inf on it so I won't aim over ya head
I put a laser sight on my gun so I won't miss and shoot over your head.
Ya'll niggas that give my name over to feds
Anyone who snitches on me to law enforcement will face severe consequences.
I dump slugs in ya pull ya chain over ya head
I shoot bullets into your body and pull your chain over your head as a sign of victory.
I could hire trained soldiers instead
I have enough money to hire people who are trained to do my dirty work.
Cause I rather flip shit call a dame over for head
I prefer to make money illegally and have women perform sexual favors for me.
Sip gin 'tiil I wake with hang overs in bed
I drink gin until I wake up with a hangover in bed the next day.
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S-
Spelling out my name, because I want everyone to know it.
The skinny hard fellow
I am a skinny, tough guy.
That brainwashed ghettos
I corrupted and influenced low-income neighborhoods.
With nickels of crack the size of marshmellows
I sold small quantities of crack cocaine, like little marshmallows.
Cops heard this heard that
The police have heard rumors and gossip about me, but they have no proof.
I come through where I purchased birds at
I frequently visit the place where I buy drugs to sell.
Fur this fur that
I wear expensive fur clothing, as a sign of my wealth and status.
Let me find out you givin' words to the Dees
If I find out that you are snitching to the police, you are going to have a problem.
I push ya top back like
I will shoot you and your head will snap back from the impact.
Going to Guadalupe just to splurge a few gees
I go to Guadalupe to spend a lot of money and live extravagantly.
Ya'll want birds and hoochies
You want drugs and cheap women.
I want birds and cuties
I want expensive, high-class women.
Guess I'm a lucky guy
I am fortunate to have wealth, power, and status.
All I stay is ducky high
I am always happy and content, living my life of luxury.
Next day in the Rover tryin' to suck me dry
The next day, I will be driving around in my car while women try to take advantage of me and suck me dry financially.
Throw 20s on me truck me bye
I throw money onto my truck as a sign of my wealth and status, then drive away.
Unless they crack the dash they ain't tryin' to hold me suck
Unless the police catch me with illegal drugs or weapons, they cannot hold me in custody.
These thighs motherfucker
I am flaunting my wealth by buying expensive things, like cars and women.
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MikeThurston
Need these freestyles on Spotify 🤲🏽
@techknowledge3911
Word I'm searching Tidal like what the ....??? 😖
@joka5345
get youtube music!!!
@ItsmeNosignal01
im with you
@aye3678
100% !!!!
@IISourAyyII
I need these on Apple Music
@iAm00003
Dude dropped when I was 13-14. I'll be 36 in a couple months.. crazy how relevant he's kept himself. Dude is one of my favorites foreal 💯💯
@SoccerHighlights-cj1yd
Fab been out since mase harlem world in 98
@thahighestgrade1642
Dis is a fkn Fact roun🙌🏾
@iAm00003
@@SoccerHighlights-cj1yd you're right. I completely forgot about that foreal. People were saying that Fab stole Mase style. They do kinda sound the same voice wise, but bar wise.. Fab is upper echelon 💯