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."
Ghetto
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And know who I be uh
I got the Yankee leaning, just sittin over to browse
And the G4 is just getting over the clouds
You can't tell me that I ain't what's up right now
I got a bottle of Tequila upside down
There's some chicks wit boyfriends that are up tight now
I'm stuck in my city ways
Heading over seas wit a zip of New York City's haze
You rats can keep running through your city's maze
Until you get sprayed with the pesticide
I know you in that hole, you best to hide
Like the rest who tried, who went and testified
Of course your girl want to slide over and be rubbed
And don't mind taking rides over the G dubs
I ride Rovers on Spre-dubs
Please don't be another dude who died over a ski dub, chill
From hood to hood they see what's hood and know who I be
From block to block they see it, not can't know who I be
From state to state they cannot hate, they know who I be
From the east to west, through the midwest and downsouth it's Ghetto
(It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto (It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto
(It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto (It's Ghetto-ohh) It's Ghetto
I get it jumping like a lo lo '64
And bet they hop on it like a pogo stick pro
I'm chilling wit these go go chicks though
That do the kind of things that belong in a porno flick yo
You know it's him and the gang
Wit the bling worked on, that remind you of lemon meringue
But remember the thangs, ain't too far
And y'all want to hear em go bang bang bang
Like John Witherspoon, I'm watching em closely
I know the snakes gon' slither soon
The two toned Maybach's getting delivered soon
The back feels like sitting in the living room
I'm so hard bodied like the suit on Batman
It's that man that back to back plat' scan
I'm back for the third time, I make words rhyme for a living
You probably heard I'm still ghetto, nigga
From hood to hood they see what's hood and know who I be
From block to block they see it, not can't know who I be
From state to state they cannot hate, they know who I be
From the east to west, through the midwest and downsouth it's Ghetto
(It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto (It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto
(It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto (It's Ghetto-ohh) It's Ghetto
They tried to put two 9's on me, just like Gretzky
But my lawyer saw through it just like wet tees
I smoke till my eyes look just like Jet Li's
On islands where the water's blue just like Pepsi
Yeah the trigger just might get squeezed
And the slugs will skip over your waves, just like jet skis
Hoes know Ghetto from New York, call em the Fresh Prince
And throw rose petals when I walk
They love how I came back hard like good blow
And I'm still a heart throb to a hood ho
That's what hood though, yes I would know
That's cause I'm in the streets like man hole covers
Rims look like blades when a fan blow brother
I'm waiting on a storm to land, roast others
The man no other, cause I been in it
My time is money, y'all couldn't buy ten minutes
I'm gone catch up
From hood to hood they see what's hood and know who I be
From block to block they see it, not can't know who I be
From state to state they cannot hate, they know who I be
From the east to west, through the midwest and downsouth it's Ghetto
(It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto (It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto
(It's Ghetto-oh) It's Ghetto (It's Ghetto-ohh) It's Ghetto
In the song Ghetto by Fabolous feat. Thara, the lyrics describe the rapper's success and fame as he moves through different locations, from "hood to hood" and "block to block". He boasts about his luxurious lifestyle, including drinking Tequila, riding in a G4 plane, and driving Rovers. Meanwhile, he remains grounded in his roots, referencing his city ways and the New York City haze. He warns his enemies not to cross him, referencing the possibility of violence and criminal activity in his life. Throughout the song, the chorus repeats the word "ghetto", which can be interpreted as both the physical location where Fabolous grew up and a term used to describe his style and persona.
Overall, the lyrics of Ghetto showcase the dual nature of Fabolous' life and career, highlighting his success and his struggles. He showcases his confidence and bravado, revealing his power and influence in various scenes. However, he also references the challenges he has faced, including legal issues and threats to his life. Ultimately, the song presents him as a complex figure, one who has risen to fame and fortune while staying true to his roots.
Line by Line Meaning
From hood to hood they see what's hood
And know who I be! uh!
People from different neighborhoods recognize me and know about me
I got the Yankee leaning, just sitting over to browse
And the G4 is just getting over the clouds
You can't tell me that I ain't what's up right now
I got a bottle of Tequila upside down
I am in a luxurious lifestyle with a tilted Yankee cap and a G4 airplane. I feel like I am on top of the world, with a bottle of tequila ready to be opened
There's some chicks wit boyfriends that are up tight now
Cause they know the big 'dog' had a 'pups' like wow
I'm stuck in my city ways
Heading over seas wit a zip of New York City's haze
Some girls with boyfriends are jealous of me because of my reputation with women. I am used to living in the city and now heading overseas with some New York City's haze
You rats can keep running through your city's maze
Until you get sprayed with the pesticide
I know you in that hole, you best to hide
Like the rest who tried, who went and testified
You can run around in your city's maze and hide, but you will eventually get caught by the authorities or get sprayed with the pesticide. There are people who tried to do it before and ended up testifying against their own kind
Of course your girl wanna slide over and be rubbed
And don't mind taking rides over the G dubs
I ride Rovers on Spre-dubs
Please don't be another dude who died over a ski dub, chill
Your girl wants to come over and be with me, and it's no big deal for her to ride with me in a car. I drive Range Rovers on Spinners. Please don't be foolish and get killed over a skiing trip
[Chorus:]
From hood to hood they see what's hood and know who I be
From block to block they see it, not can't know who I be
From state to state they cannot hate, they know who I be
From the east to west, through the Mid West and down south it's Ghetto!
(It's Ghetto-oh!) It's Ghetto! (It's Ghetto-oh!) It's Ghetto!
(It's Ghetto-oh!) It's Ghetto! (It's Ghetto-oh!) It's Ghetto!
Everyone around the country recognizes me as a ghetto superstar
I get it jumping like a lo lo '64
And bet they hop on it like a pogo stick pro
I'm chilling wit these go go chicks though
That do the kind of things that belong in a porno flick yo
I get the party started like a lowrider car and people jump up and down like a professional pogo stick jumper. I am hanging out with exotic dancers who do things that belong in a porn movie
You know it's him and the gang
With the bling worked on, that remind you of lemon meringue
But remember the things, ain't too far
And y'all wanna hear em go bang bang bang
You can recognize me and my crew because of our flashy jewelry that looks like lemon meringue. But don't forget that violence is always close by, and people want to hear gunshots
Like John Witherspoon, I'm watching em closely
I know the snakes gonna slither soon
The two toned Maybach's getting delivered soon
The back feels like sitting in the living room
I am watching people closely like John Witherspoon in his stand-up comedy. I know there are people around me who want to harm me. I am getting a two-tone Maybach car soon, which will have a comfortable back seat
I'm so hard bodied like the suit on Batman
It's that man that back to back plat' scan
I'm back for the third time, I make words rhyme for a living
You probably heard I'm still ghetto, nigga!
I am as tough as Batman's suit. I earned back-to-back platinum album certifications. I am making a living by rhyming words. You probably know me as an artist who represents the ghetto
[Chorus]
Repeated chorus
They tried to put two 9's on me, just like Gretzky
But my lawyer saw through it just like wet tees
I smoke till my eyes look just like Jet Li's
On islands where the water's blue just like Pepsi
They tried to frame me with two 9mm guns, but my lawyer found out the truth easily. I smoke so much that my eyes look like Jet Li's. I am on an island where the water is blue like Pepsi
Yeah the trigger just might get squeezed
And the slugs will skip over your waves, just like jet skis
Hoes know Ghetto from New York, call em the Fresh Prince
And throw rose petals when I walk
The trigger might be pulled, and the bullets might fly over the water waves like jet skis. Women know me as Ghetto from New York and call me the Fresh Prince. They show affection by throwing rose petals when I walk by
They love how I came back hard like good blow
And I'm still a heart throb to a hood ho
That's what hood though, yes I would know
That's cause I'm in the streets like man hole covers
People love how I returned with a strong comeback, just like high-quality cocaine. I am still very attractive to women from the ghetto. I know what it's like to live in the hood. I am around the streets like manhole covers
Rims look like blades when a fan blow brother
I'm waiting on a storm to land, roast others
The man no other, cause I been in it
My time is money, y'all couldn't buy ten minutes
I'm gone! catch up!
My car's rims look like blades when the fan is blowing. I am waiting for something big to happen so that I can take advantage of it. I am the man and no one can compete with me because I have been in this game for a long time. My time is valuable, and you can't even buy ten minutes of it. I am leaving now, try to catch up if you can
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CTM Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: John Davis Jackson, Scott Storch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind