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."
Get Right Skit
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh huh, uh huh, oh, oh, come on
Huh huh, yeah uh, yeah, uh huh, hey
What, uh huh, what, uh
Yeah, uh, yeah, ho
Fabolous, ho, c'mon, huh
Yeah, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, come on, uh
When the song go on, throw on, ya tight mugs or ya stares
It's like bugs up in here, like thugs up in here
Throw ya fingers up like you gon' snipe slugs in the air
Haters might have a slight grudge when I'm there
See this froze on my wrist, like bugs in my ear
Ladies pass through, I might rub on her rear
Pop Cris' in her face, make her wipe suds from her hair
Even dykes tug on my gear, the way I like strud up in here
Don't get the Nike's smudged, that I wear
Drinks be flingin', minks be swingin', the way the pinky-ringin'
Link be blingin', you think we slingin'?
I wanna see the roof of your coupe, sittin' behind ya
Eighteen inches and up, no sittin' on minors
After the club hittin' a diner
Spittin' the lines, and end up in a hotel, gettin' vagina, get it right
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that nigga that you with tonight
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that chick, that you with tonight
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
If gettin' right is the only thing you wit tonight
Ladies (hey)
Niggas (ho)
Ma, it's hard to stop and not admit it
You like the way the drop I got is kitted, cops can't spot who is it
You wanna stop and jot ya digits
Must be how I hop on yachts and visit, tropic spots, I did it
The top the watch is glitted
Make niggas wanna bop they knots, stop and plot to get it
Like I won't pop a shot in fitteds
I got the type of machine guns, that cops and SWATs be hitted
Someone'll drop, but not to hit it, stop we not committed
Think we hittin' shoppin' spots, forget it
Move ya neck, rock from side to side
Never get checked, me and my glock side and side
This in ya deck let it knock inside ya ride
We in the 'jects of the blocks in the widest five
Spendin' a grands nothin' for 'lous
You ain't got on a badge playa, so why you handcuffin' the chicks?
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that nigga that you with tonight
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that chick, that you with tonight
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
If gettin' right is the only thing you wit tonight
Ladies (hey)
Niggas (ho)
Y'all hardly see I be 'round
But when I do, I be, I be down, the VIP lounge
I get in the club, I don't need ID now
Bulky nig', can't even see my 3-pound
You know how that kid from B-Stuy be down
Y'all see my C-pound, y'all see y'all be drowned
Skee-o, gotta, reply she down, which sheet I meet down
I know she gettin' right, hey
Ladies, tug me when I strut
So this thug be in the cut, takin' thug B's to the gut
Rays beamin', y'all think I be day-dreamin'
But I stay schemin' like, "Shorty, could get it"
Next screenin', they see all this ice and grey gleamin'
They like, "Damn, shorty could get it"
And I may be crazy
But I see some ladies tonight that should be drinkin' my baby's, baby
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that nigga that you with tonight
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that chick, that you with tonight
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
If gettin' right is the only thing you wit tonight
Ladies (hey)
Niggas (ho)
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that nigga that you with tonight
Don't be thinkin' 'bout that chick, that you with tonight
Ladies, rub ya tits if ya gettin' right (hey)
Niggas, grab ya dicks if ya gettin' right (ho)
If gettin' right is the only thing you wit tonight
Ladies (hey)
Niggas (ho)
The lyrics of "Get Right" by Fabolous featuring Jennifer Lopez are all about seduction and sensuality. The song is talking about a man's (Fabolous) desire and experience to be with a woman (J. Lo) for a night of pleasure. The chorus of the song tells the listener that they can get right by signing up for a night filled with flirtation, drinks, and fun.
As the lyrics continue, Fabolous lets the woman know that he is not looking for someone to settle down with, but rather someone he can have an amazing night with. He boasts about how he attracts women effortlessly and how he can keep those women coming back for more. The woman in the song is intrigued by the rapper's looks and demeanor, but also hesitant.
The lyrics persist and continue to seduce and persuade the woman to let go and let herself indulge in this night. The lyrics heavily focus on the materialistic idea of what the man can offer, from the expensive stones he wears to the bar tabs looking like car notes. The song even mentions that the man (Fabulous) is "looking for dimes, not pennies.”
Overall, "Get Right" is a song about temptation and desire, where Fabolous and Jennifer Lopez build a setting of seduction and attraction, setting the listener up for a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess who
I am introducing myself with a rhetorical question.
J to the Lo
Referring to Jennifer Lopez who is featured in the song.
F to the ab
Referring to Fabolous who is the artist performing the song.
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, oh, yeah
Repeating 'oh, yeah' to emphasize the catchiness of the song and to hype up the audience.
I'm ain't Mr. Right, I'm Mr. Right Now (oh)
I am not looking for a long-term relationship, I am just looking for someone to have fun with in the moment.
I keep women in thongs comin' along (oh)
I attract women who are dressed in sexy thongs to come and be with me.
Invisibly set stones, some of them prone
I have expensive jewelry that is set with invisible stones, and some of the women are more likely to be attracted to me because of it.
I can tell you ain't never had someone this long
I can tell that you have never had someone who has been with you as long as I have.
One night, have them bumpin' my song like mmm, mmm girl
After one night with me, they will be hooked and singing my praises.
You ain't know I was comin' this strong
You didn't know I was going to be this aggressive in pursuing you.
Now you know not to come at me wrong
You understand that you can't try to play games with me.
I get right, uh
I always make sure everything is perfect.
You lookin' just a little too hard at me
You are staring at me a bit too intensely.
Standin' just a little too close to me
You are standing too close to me for comfort.
You sayin' not quite in love to me
You are telling me that you are not quite in love with me yet.
You sippin' just a little too slow for me
You are drinking your drink a bit too slowly for my liking.
No doubt you're playin' real cool homey
You are acting really calm and collected right now.
Got me thinkin' what is it you do for me
You have me wondering what you can offer me.
Trippin' (trippin') a little more than I should be
I'm getting ahead of myself and maybe acting a bit too excited.
So let yourself go and get right with me
Relax and have fun with me and everything will go smoothly.
I'm about to sign you up
I am about to get you to commit to spending time with me.
We can get right before the night is up
We can have a good time together before the night is over.
We can get right, get right
We can have fun and let loose.
We can get right, get right
We can enjoy each other's company and have a good time.
We can get right
We can have a great time together.
Your lips talkin' about I play too much
You are telling me that I am coming on too strong.
Can't a woman take advantage of what she wants
A woman can do what she wants and take advantage of the situation.
My hips movin' oh so slow (so slow)
My dance moves are slow and sexy.
Bar tab lookin' like a car note (car note)
The cost of the drinks we ordered was very high.
All I need is you here right by my side
I just need you to be with me right now.
Take whatever you want baby let's ride
Please take advantage of what I have to offer and let's have fun together.
And whatever you want you let me decide
I am willing to take control and make decisions.
Just put your name on the dotted line
Just agree to spend time with me and let me take care of the rest.
So much we got to say, but so little time
We both have a lot to say, but our time together is limited.
And if tonight ain't long enough
If we don't have enough time tonight.
Don't leave love behind
Let's not miss out on the opportunity to have fun together.
Baby take my hand I'll show you why
Trust me and let me guide you through this experience.
It's slim with the tilted rim on 20 inch rims
Referring to the custom wheels on the car that he is driving.
Rock up wrist watch, 6 inch Timbs
Referring to the style of clothing and accessories that he is wearing.
Button-up shirt cuffed with the French trim
Referring to the dress shirt that he is wearing with nice cufflinks.
So you can tell a man get to the right (oh)
From the way that I am dressed, you can tell that I am someone of status.
I'm in the driver's seat, you sit to the right
I am in control and you are simply coming along for the ride.
And this is just to get to the flight
This is all in preparation to get to the next big thing.
I like the way it fit to you tight
I like the way your clothes fit tightly against your body.
So I'mma show you the world in a day for you
I am willing to show you a good time and give you a new experience.
Even get to the night
We can continue this experience late into the night.
I'm lookin' for a dime, but I don't need a penny though
I am looking for someone special, but I am not interested in someone who is not worth my time.
Any old wannabe Jenny-Lo, no
I am not interested in someone who is just trying to be like Jennifer Lopez without any substance.
Plenty dough and there's plenty more where it come from
Referring to his wealth and the abundance of money that he has.
I'm the Real Talk where I come from, oh
I am known for speaking my mind and telling the truth where I am from.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, SONGBOOK MUSIC LLC D/B/A QUAZICAL MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rodolfo Antonio Franklin, John Jackson, Kimberly Jones, James Kowan Lloyd, Dana Stinson, Christopher Wallace, Harvey Fuqua, Lottie Wiggins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind