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."
G.A.N.G.S.T.A
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's g-a-n-g-s-t-a
That's how it be and it's gon' say (Y'all know who)
That's how it be when you see me
That's how it be in NYC (Y'all know who)
If it's me it's got to be
If it's me it's got to be
G-a-n-g-s-t-a (Y'all know who)
I'm still living la vida loca
Where hoes sell prices on weed or coke-a
For the hustlers, for the customers, trust the buzz
It's have you makin' one of the sounds that Busta does (woo haha!)
They love me just because
I'm in the gallardo, laughing like Ricky Ricardo (Ha ha ha ha)
With the 4-pounder, pretty gangsta nigga
I'm the co-founder, I know the difference between pimps and hoe-hounders
I can tell when they ain't learn to lean
They gold cups missing stones, turning green
I roll up wrist in chrome, burning green like what's good
[Chorus]
God was in a good mood, on the day he made me
I'm from the projects, it's the way it made me
And I wouldn't change it for nothing
I stay on point, that's 'cause I know the danger of stuntin'
But the aim is like I'll be at the ranges or somethin'
It takes a gangsta, to know a gangsta
That's why we look at you like a stranger or somethin'
'cause we can tell by the body language you frontin'
And it take a little more than lettin' ya pants sag
Ya sand bag, tryna jump on the band wag
I'll put the red dot on you like a Japan flag
You need some high heels and a handbag
[Chorus]
I'm in the ten minutes to nine, leanin' on 'em
Like I'm ten minutes behind, fuck a hundred shots
Give me a .40 cal wit' ten in it, I'm fine
Just spray, and shit'll get you ten minute of shine
Keep a friend in it, that's ten cented for mine
Keep the rims in it, that spin in it for mine
Can't see him in it, I been tinted up mine
But you know a nigga look oh so gangsta
Oh no thank ya, I earned my key
My name'll get you fucked up, and burners tee
That's gangsta love, from the heart
Yo I told y'all from the start
And now (y'all know who)
Keep it G'd up, I can't slow down, these creep's speed up
Cali bringin' peeps and weed up
I'm coming through with a bunch of girls that'll deep a seed up
(It's a gangsta party)
[Chorus]
In this song, Fabolous proudly proclaims his gangster lifestyle and his origins from the projects in New York City. He talks about how he still lives a crazy and carefree life where people sell drugs openly and he commands attention and respect among both hustlers and customers. He claims that he is loved just for being himself and for owning a Lamborghini Gallardo which he drives around the city. He also boasts of his ability to differentiate between pimps and hoe-hounders, and how he can spot a fake gangster a mile away just by their body language.
Furthermore, he reveals that it takes a gangster to recognize another gangster and that's why they look at "you" (the listener or anyone who's not gangster) like a stranger. He talks about how he's always on guard and doesn't take any unnecessary risks in order to avoid getting caught or killed. Fabolous also mentions how he prefers carrying a .40 cal with just ten bullets rather than a hundred shots because he doesn't need more than that to handle his business.
Overall, the song is a celebration of Fabolous's gangster lifestyle and he takes pride in his ability to still be alive despite the dangers and violence associated with that life.
Interesting facts about the song:
* This song was released in 2001 as part of Fabolous's debut album "Ghetto Fabolous."
* The beat of the song was produced by DJ Clue, who also contributed to several other tracks on the album.
* The song features a sample from the chorus of the song "Seven Minutes of Funk" by The Whole Darn Family.
* The music video for this song features Fabolous driving around the city in his Lamborghini Gallardo and partying with his friends at a nightclub.
* Several rappers, including Ja Rule and Jay Z, have mentioned Fabolous in their songs. Jay Z rapped about Fabolous in the song "Blueprint 2" by saying "I'm not a biter, I'm a writer for myself and others. I say a B.I.G. verse, I'm only bigging up my brother. Bigging up my borough, I'm big enough to do it. I'm that thorough. Plus I know my own flow is foolish. So them rings and things you sing about, bring 'em out. It's hard to yell when the barrel's in your mouth. I'm in...Gangsta's motherfuckin' paradise."
* The song was also featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto III on the in-game radio station "Game Radio FM."
* Fabolous released a remix of the song in 2021 with verses from rappers Lil Wayne and Jadakiss.
* The song was met with critical acclaim upon release and helped establish Fabolous as one of the best rappers of his generation.
* The song was also a commercial success, reaching #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and #17 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.
* In 2021, Fabolous was featured on the Verzuz battle where he faced off against rapper Jadakiss. During the battle, Fabolous performed "Gangsta" to great acclaim from the audience.
Chords: Unfortunately, as this is a rap song, there are no chords to be provided.
Line by Line Meaning
It's g-a-n-g-s-t-a
Being gangsta is spelled with a "g", "a", "n", "g", "s", "t", and an "a".
That's how it be and it's gon' say (Y'all know who)
Being gangsta is the way it is, and everyone knows it.
That's how it be when you see me
When you see me, you see a real gangsta.
That's how it be in NYC (Y'all know who)
Being gangsta is the way it is in New York City, and everyone knows who the real gangstas are.
If it's me it's got to be
If it involves me, it has to be gangsta.
G-a-n-g-s-t-a (Y'all know who)
Being gangsta is spelled with a "g", "a", "n", "g", "s", "t", and an "a", and everyone knows who the real gangstas are.
I'm still living la vida loca
I'm still living a wild and crazy life.
Where hoes sell prices on weed or coke-a
Where women sell drugs and set their own prices.
For the hustlers, for the customers, trust the buzz
For those who sell and buy drugs, trust the rumors and reputation of the dealer.
It's have you makin' one of the sounds that Busta does (woo haha!)
It will make you react in surprise and excitement, like Busta Rhymes often does in his songs.
They love me just because
People love me simply because I am a gangsta.
I'm in the gallardo, laughing like Ricky Ricardo (Ha ha ha ha)
I'm driving a Lamborghini Gallardo and laughing like the character Ricky Ricardo in the TV show "I Love Lucy".
With the 4-pounder, pretty gangsta nigga
I have a four-pound gun and am a good-looking gangsta.
I'm the co-founder, I know the difference between pimps and hoe-hounders
I am a co-founder of a gang and am knowledgeable about the difference between pimps and men who seek out prostitutes.
I can tell when they ain't learn to lean
I can tell when someone is not experienced in being a gangsta.
They gold cups missing stones, turning green
Their gold cups are missing jewels and turning green with age or lack of care.
I roll up wrist in chrome, burning green like what's good
I wear jewelry made of chrome and smoke marijuana like it's going out of style.
God was in a good mood, on the day he made me
God was feeling happy and generous when he created me.
I'm from the projects, it's the way it made me
I grew up in low-income housing projects, and that environment shaped me into a gangsta.
And I wouldn't change it for nothing
I wouldn't change my gangsta lifestyle for anything.
I stay on point, that's 'cause I know the danger of stuntin'
I am always aware of my surroundings because I know the risks of showing off or being flashy.
But the aim is like I'll be at the ranges or somethin'
But my goal is to shoot accurately, as if I were practicing at a shooting range.
It takes a gangsta, to know a gangsta
Only a true gangsta can recognize another true gangsta.
That's why we look at you like a stranger or somethin'
We look at you suspiciously or distrustfully, as if you are a stranger.
'cause we can tell by the body language you frontin'
Because we can tell by your body language that you are pretending or lying about being a gangsta.
And it take a little more than lettin' ya pants sag
It takes more than just wearing your pants low to be a gangsta.
Ya sand bag, tryna jump on the band wag
You are carrying a worthless bag and trying to join the gang just because it's popular.
I'll put the red dot on you like a Japan flag
I will aim a laser sight at you like the red dot on the Japanese flag.
You need some high heels and a handbag
You are more suited to carrying women's accessories than to being a gangsta.
I'm in the ten minutes to nine, leanin' on 'em
I'm leaning against something at 8:50 PM.
Like I'm ten minutes behind, fuck a hundred shots
As if I'm running ten minutes late, I don't need to shoot one hundred bullets to get the job done.
Give me a .40 cal wit' ten in it, I'm fine
Give me a .40 caliber gun with ten bullets inside, and I'll be good to go.
Just spray, and shit'll get you ten minute of shine
Just fire the gun indiscriminately, and you will receive ten minutes of attention and notoriety.
Keep a friend in it, that's ten cented for mine
I keep a friend around at all times, and they are worth ten cents to me.
Keep the rims in it, that spin in it for mine
I keep the wheels on my car spinning, and they belong to me.
Can't see him in it, I been tinted up mine
You can't see me when I'm in my car because the windows are heavily tinted.
But you know a nigga look oh so gangsta
But you know I look very much like a gangsta.
Oh no thank ya, I earned my key
No thank you, I have earned my place in this gang.
My name'll get you fucked up, and burners tee
My name will get you into trouble or killed, and wearing a t-shirt with a picture of a gun may also get you into trouble.
That's gangsta love, from the heart
That is the type of love shown by gangstas, and it comes from the heart.
Yo I told y'all from the start
I have been telling you this from the beginning.
Keep it G'd up, I can't slow down, these creep's speed up
Keep it gangsta and don't let up, because these enemies are always trying to catch up to me.
Cali bringin' peeps and weed up
California is known for bringing people and marijuana to the party.
I'm coming through with a bunch of girls that'll deep a seed up
I am arriving with a group of girls who are willing to perform oral sex on someone.
(It's a gangsta party)
This is a party for real gangstas.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDRE CHRISTOPHER LYON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, KHALED MOHAMMAED KHALED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind