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."
From Nothin' To Somethin' Intro
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nigga, the slump is over, we winnin' again
Bring some money out, homey, we spendin' again
Wipe the frown off, shorty, we grinnin' again
Did he say again? Yes, we winnin' again
Nigga, the slump is over, we winnin' again
Bring some money out, homey, we spendin' again
Did he say again? Yes, we winnin' again
I'm ridin' through the metropolitan, everybody hollerin'
Me - I'm just acknowledgin', with this million dollar grin
Shine like a halogen, cool as the island wind
I don't judge myself; but if I do, I'd give my style a ten
Met a chick who belong on front of Cosmopolitan
Thick in the right place, otherwise she model thin
She don't do no swallowin', but she got a wilder friend
Who don't give a fuck; I told both of them to follow then
I'm with the familiar; you might be familiar
With a few faces, but they still a non-milli-a
They be like the Young Guns, so I guess I'm Billy, bruh
I do more than William Bryant; I'm a little Willie-er
Change a little chillier, wrist a little sillier
And I'm grown, so I'm not really the kid at all
But I hope you get it, y'all; I can't say I did it all
But believe that 'fore I leave it I'm a try to get it all
What I don't get at all is what these critics call
Stuntin', don't mean nothin'; they don't live it like they read it, y'all
It ain't the car; it's the way it's kitted, y'all
Meanin' it's the little things, like the way my fitted fall
The way my posture lean, the way my necklace hang
You should respect this gang; if not, expect this bang
But all this reckless slang, it don't effect us, man
They build you up to break you down; it's just like Tetris, man
That's why I sex Ms. Thang, and let the next miss hang
And even if I wake up late, I do the breakfast thang
That's an important meal; I'm used to important deals
Jay brought me to Def Jam, feel like it's a Jordan deal
I'm young, mellow, game-winning young fellow
Remember me, I mixed one white with one yellow
Turned nothin' into somethin', you can do it too
This the music that you do it to
Lo-so
In Fabolous's song "From Nothin' To Somethin' Intro," Fabolous is celebrating his rise to fame and success. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has overcome difficult times and is now living his best life. He declares that the slump is over and that he is winning again. He encourages his crew to bring out money and spend carelessly because they can afford it. This abundance has put him in a good mood, as evidenced by the million-dollar grin he sports as he rides through the city. He is cool, collected, and not judgmental - he gives his style a perfect ten.
Throughout the song, Fabolous shares his experiences with women and how he navigates his newfound success. He has met a gorgeous woman who belongs on the front of Cosmopolitan, and although she doesn't swallow, he introduces her to her wilder friend. He has also become familiar with a few faces, but they are nowhere near his level of wealth. He likens himself to William Bryant but suggests that he has surpassed him. His posture, the way his necklace hangs, and the way his fitted cap falls are details that he believes set him apart.
Fabolous acknowledges that critics often say he is "stuntin'," but he argues that they don't understand the intricate details of his lifestyle. He has come a long way from having nothing, and he wants to encourage others to do the same. He reminds his audience that he is young and has already achieved so much.
Overall, the lyrics to "From Nothin' To Somethin' Intro" by Fabolous are an ode to his success and the hard work that got him there. He revels in the small details of his life and is determined to keep reaching for greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Nigga, the slump is over, we winnin' again
We have overcome our struggles and are now succeeding
Bring some money out, homey, we spendin' again
We now have money and can spend it freely
Wipe the frown off, shorty, we grinnin' again
Our past struggles have brought us down, but now we are happy and smiling again
Did he say again? Yes, we winnin' again
We are emphasizing that we are now successful after a period of struggle
I'm ridin' through the metropolitan, everybody hollerin'
As I cruise through the city, many people are recognizing and greeting me
Me - I'm just acknowledgin', with this million dollar grin
I am humbly acknowledging the attention with a confident smile
Shine like a halogen, cool as the island wind
I am shining bright and radiating confidence, while remaining cool and collected like the wind on a tropical island
I don't judge myself; but if I do, I'd give my style a ten
I don't often critique myself, but if I had to, I would give myself a perfect score for my style
Met a chick who belong on front of Cosmopolitan
I have met a beautiful woman who would fit perfectly on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine
Thick in the right place, otherwise she model thin
She has a curvy figure in all the right places, but still maintains a slim model-like physique
She don't do no swallowin', but she got a wilder friend
She doesn't perform oral sex, but she has a friend who is more daring in the bedroom
Who don't give a fuck; I told both of them to follow then
Her wild friend doesn't care about what others think or say, so I invited both of them to join me
I'm with the familiar; you might be familiar
I'm with people I know, who you may also know
With a few faces, but they still a non-milli-a
These people may not be famous or millionaires, but they are still important to me
They be like the Young Guns, so I guess I'm Billy, bruh
They are like a group of fresh and talented newbies, so I must be the experienced and wise leader
I do more than William Bryant; I'm a little Willie-er
I accomplish more than others, even surpassing someone as accomplished as William Bryant
Change a little chillier, wrist a little sillier
I'm now colder and more ruthless, while also showing off my flashy and expensive watch
And I'm grown, so I'm not really the kid at all
I am grown and mature, no longer acting like a child
But I hope you get it, y'all; I can't say I did it all
I hope you understand my message, but I also admit that I haven't achieved everything
But believe that 'fore I leave it I'm a try to get it all
I assure you that I will aim to achieve everything before I leave this world
What I don't get at all is what these critics call
I don't understand the criticism and negative labels given by critics
Stuntin', don't mean nothin'; they don't live it like they read it, y'all
Showing off and acting grandiose means nothing; the critics don't truly understand the lifestyle they criticize
It ain't the car; it's the way it's kitted, y'all
It's not just the car, but how it's customized and accessorized
Meanin' it's the little things, like the way my fitted fall
The minor details make a difference, such as the way my hat sits on my head
The way my posture lean, the way my necklace hang
My stance and jewelry placement also add to my overall appearance and style
You should respect this gang; if not, expect this bang
You should acknowledge and respect my crew; otherwise, prepare for retaliation
But all this reckless slang, it don't effect us, man
Our use of slang and non-standard language does not harm us or our success
They build you up to break you down; it's just like Tetris, man
The media and society can elevate and then tear down individuals, similar to how Tetris pieces stack and then disappear
That's why I sex Ms. Thang, and let the next miss hang
This is why I have sex with one woman, and move on to the next without any emotional attachment or commitment
And even if I wake up late, I do the breakfast thang
Even if I sleep in, I still make sure to have breakfast
That's an important meal; I'm used to important deals
Breakfast is a crucial meal and I'm accustomed to handling important business transactions
Jay brought me to Def Jam, feel like it's a Jordan deal
Jay-Z brought me to work with Def Jam Records, and the experience is comparable to signing with Michael Jordan's basketball team
I'm young, mellow, game-winning young fellow
I am young, calm, and successful
Remember me, I mixed one white with one yellow
Remember me, I am a biracial individual
Turned nothin' into somethin', you can do it too
I have overcome difficult circumstances and achieved success, and you can do it as well
This the music that you do it to
This is the type of music that can inspire and motivate you towards success
Lo-so
A nickname or tagline for the artist Fabolous
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN DAVID JACKSON, SHARIF SLATER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind