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 Smart
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like 'em brown, yellow, Peurto Rican or Asian
Who have the weekend occasion
Sneak in the Days Inn
I'm never tweaking of haze an frequently blazing
Now if they ain't on ya face it ain't the cheeks that I stay in
Can't deny it, used to take weeks and persuasion
Now I just be looking down at these freaks in amazement
Is how full her lips is and deep her throat is
So you ain't gotta be perfect
I'll buy you whatever you want, But your heads gotta be worth it
Still what I mean is
Your brains gotta send chills through my penis
Till I feel like a genius
Look at it from a player's position
I got a scholarship, I get smart without paying tuition
My classes be like two three hours
That's why I'm the smartest young guy since Doogie Howser
[Chorus]
Still what I mean is
I really just want to get smart until I feel like a genius
And all that I ask is
That you help me get good grades in all of my classes
Still what I mean is
I really just want to get smart until I feel like a genius
And all that I ask is
That you help me get good grades, Ma in all of my classes
[Verse 2]
These bitches they done got real bad
Cause now I pull out, Leaving 'em looking like model for a got milk ad
I'm a teachers pet
And even if you good at math ma
You'll have trouble counting each baguette
All it takes would hood tutors and some good Buddha
And promise to buy them some of them Razor foot scooters
They don't care where the cops is
Outta the blue they stop biz
Teacher started giving me a pop quiz
I stay 10 minutes in night clubs
Pocket full of green, Duke on it invented the night bulb
I might pass on a female, And call up a substitute just for night
Class in the CL
Ya man don't know why his chicks knees be scared
Can't tell her from giving my dick CPR
If ya lift up and say ya jaws hurting, before squrting
It's for certain
You are the weakest link, Goodbye
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
You know my girls in North and South Caddy
They all for mouth waxing
And the whores in Texas, Oral sexes
I head to Cali, Take more blows to the head than Ali
And the Philly mommy's suck the kid outta Willie Bonnie
And the way females so Southern Hospitality in ATL
Don't even know them hoes
In South Beach, they let me jimmy dip in they mouthpiece
Forget about Vegas, The head is outrageous
The broads in Seattle will make ya knees rattle
Fa shizzle da snizzle get smizzle down in VA
Them hoes in Detroit will suck the whole revolt
My dick don't get to die down when I'm in Chi-Town
My bitches in be-More, Blow til they knees sore
Good damn, there face I, ain't screwed down in St. Lou
New York, It ain't got no pipe instructions
They just suck outta you like liposuction
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Fabolous's song Get Smart are about his desires for women and his approach to getting good grades in school. In the first verse, he describes his attraction to women of different races and their willingness to have casual sex. He then explains that he values intelligence in a woman and is willing to provide financial support in exchange for academic help. Fabolous incorporates the idea of getting smart without paying for tuition by comparing himself to Doogie Howser, the child prodigy from the TV show of the same name.
In verse two, he continues his pursuit of women while also boasting about his wealth and academic success. He suggests that paying for tutoring and giving gifts are effective strategies for getting good grades, even if they involve illicit behavior. He makes references to clubbing, drugs, and sex, demonstrating a careless attitude towards life. In the final verse, he lists various cities in the US and the sexual experiences he has had with women there. He seems to value women based solely on their ability to provide oral sex and is not interested in any emotional connection.
Overall, the song is a representation of the "player" lifestyle that Fabolous celebrates. The lyrics are crude and objectifying towards women, suggesting that they are merely a means to an end. The song can be interpreted as a reflection of the sexism and misogyny prevalent in hip-hop culture at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
I like 'em brown, yellow, Peurto Rican or Asian
I am attracted to women of various ethnicities.
Who have the weekend occasion
Women who are free on weekends are preferable.
Sneak in the Days Inn
I enjoy staying in cheap hotels.
I'm never tweaking of haze an frequently blazing
I frequently smoke marijuana without getting too high.
Now if they ain't on ya face it ain't the cheeks that I stay in
I am not interested in women who don't perform oral sex.
Can't deny it, used to take weeks and persuasion
I used to have to convince women to have sex with me but not anymore.
Now I just be looking down at these freaks in amazement
I am amazed at how willing some women are to have sex with me.
With a girl, The first thing I peep a notice
The first thing I notice about a woman is her physical appearance.
Is how full her lips is and deep her throat is
I am attracted to women with full lips and who can perform oral sex.
So you ain't gotta be perfect
I don't expect women to be perfect.
I'll buy you whatever you want, But your heads gotta be worth it
I am willing to spend money on women but they have to be intelligent conversationalists.
Still what I mean is
What I'm trying to say is...
Your brains gotta send chills through my penis
I am aroused by women who are intelligent.
Till I feel like a genius
My arousal is so strong that I feel like a genius.
Look at it from a player's position
This is the perspective of someone who is good at seducing women.
I got a scholarship, I get smart without paying tuition
I am smart but didn't have to pay for my education.
My classes be like two three hours
I don't attend school for long hours.
That's why I'm the smartest young guy since Doogie Howser
I am extremely intelligent.
Still what I mean is
What I'm trying to say is...
I really just want to get smart until I feel like a genius
I want to feel intelligent and impressive.
And all that I ask is
All I ask is...
That you help me get good grades in all of my classes
I want women to help me achieve good grades.
These bitches they done got real bad
Women have become more difficult to seduce.
Cause now I pull out, Leaving 'em looking like model for a got milk ad
I have become skilled at avoiding impregnating women.
I'm a teachers pet
I am extremely successful in school.
And even if you good at math ma
Even if you are good at math...
You'll have trouble counting each baguette
You will have trouble keeping track of all the money I have.
All it takes would hood tutors and some good Buddha
I only need some good tutors and marijuana to succeed in school.
And promise to buy them some of them Razor foot scooters
I am willing to give bribes to my tutors.
They don't care where the cops is
My tutors are willing to break the law for me.
Outta the blue they stop biz
My tutors will suddenly stop tutoring if they feel like it.
Teacher started giving me a pop quiz
My teacher is quizzing me unexpectedly.
I stay 10 minutes in night clubs
I don't spend much time in nightclubs.
Pocket full of green, Duke on it invented the night bulb
I have a lot of money and am a pioneer in my industry.
I might pass on a female, And call up a substitute just for night
I am willing to sleep with women I don't find attractive.
Class in the CL
I am attending classes in luxury cars.
Ya man don't know why his chicks knees be scared
Your boyfriend doesn't understand why you are intimidated by me.
Can't tell her from giving my dick CPR
You are so good at performing oral sex that it feels like you are giving me CPR.
If ya lift up and say ya jaws hurting, before squrting
If you complain about your jaw hurting before you orgasm...
It's for certain
I know for a fact...
You are the weakest link, Goodbye
You are not a good sexual partner and I don't want to continue.
You know my girls in North and South Caddy
I have women I am involved with in various locations.
They all for mouth waxing
The women I am involved with are hygienic.
And the whores in Texas, Oral sexes
The women I am involved with in Texas perform oral sex.
I head to Cali, Take more blows to the head than Ali
I have lots of sex in California.
And the Philly mommy's suck the kid outta Willie Bonnie
The women I am involved with in Philly are great at oral sex.
And the way females so Southern Hospitality in ATL
Women in Atlanta are very hospitable.
Don't even know them hoes
I don't even know some of the women I am involved with.
In South Beach, they let me jimmy dip in they mouthpiece
The women in South Beach allow me to have oral sex with them.
Forget about Vegas, The head is outrageous
The women in Vegas are great at oral sex.
The broads in Seattle will make ya knees rattle
The women in Seattle are great at sex.
Fa shizzle da snizzle get smizzle down in VA
I have sex in Virginia.
Them hoes in Detroit will suck the whole revolt
The women in Detroit are great at oral sex.
My dick don't get to die down when I'm in Chi-Town
I have lots of sex in Chicago.
My bitches in be-More, Blow til they knees sore
The women I am involved with in Baltimore are great at oral sex.
Good damn, there face I, ain't screwed down in St. Lou
The women in St. Louis are attractive enough to have sex with.
New York, It ain't got no pipe instructions
Women in New York don't need instructions on how to perform oral sex.
They just suck outta you like liposuction
The women in New York are great at oral sex.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, ANDY THELUSMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind