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."
Girls
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Girls) Those that are bourgeois
Those that are hoochie
Those are usually in Gucci
(Girls) Some of them no good
Some of them so hood
But they all pros at you know what
(Girls) Local or overseas
Don't matter what part of the world
Girls want to be part of my world
Look, I done had my share
Bringin' round me, is a bad idea
I take Big or small, short or tall
Light or dark, I try them all
'Cause I like
From stupido groupie hoes
To one of these r&b group skio's
I need a slick mouth, thick south, brickhouse
Or I may date, a-rate playmate
Ten in the face, thin in the waist
Tight in the thighs, light in the eyes
Even those
Who think they the shit
I keep my
Walkin' on pedicured paws
Touchin' wit' manicured claws
If you waxed down, and tanned up
Then let me see ya hands up
Now
[Chorus:]
I like my
In four inch Christian Laboutins
Lips made for kissin' and poutin' I like my
Fat butt, flat gut, and that strut. to drive cat nuts
I like my Gangsta pretty, stank saditty
No change, only got frank and fitty's
Them Natural born fraks, wit blonde streaks
Seven's on cheeks
My nothin'less than a dime piece
Pink face cartier time piece
I like my
Thug enough to cuss out cops
Wit' tits that'll bust out tops
I like my Classy and sassy,
Still know how to be nasty
Like my
Wit' no laws, no flaws
No bra's and no drwaws'
Those yours
[Chorus:]
From the Asian to the Malaysian
I even had the Bahian to the Caucasian
I spend most the weekend
Wit' pretty Puerto and Costa Rican
Then again, I love Dominicians
And might be stylin' wit' a Italian
I be shakin for a Jamaican and Haitian
And take by the million if they they Brazilian
I'm sailin' wit' a Australian
Or trafficin' wit' the south African
Panamaian or Grenadian
You know I cross the border for a Canadian
I need a miss that's Swiss, a freak that's Greek
Or distinguished English
I fly in for a Hawaiian
And if you don't know who I am
[Chorus:]
Yeah, this Trackmasters, Desrt Storm, Street family.... Fabolous
And this is Tone the ref, let's go
The song "Girls" by Fabolous is a celebration of the rapper's love for women, regardless of their background or appearance. In the chorus, he acknowledges how he has encounters with women who are both high-class (bourgeois) and low-class (hoochie) and emphasizes how he appreciates them all. He mentions that all women, no matter where they come from, seem to be attracted to him. He then goes on to describe the characteristics that he finds attractive in a woman, including a slick mouth, thick thighs, and light eyes.
Throughout the verses, Fabolous boasts about his appeal to women and describes how he has encountered women from different cultural backgrounds around the world. He makes it clear that he is not picky and will date anyone, as long as they possess his desired qualities. He mentions how he appreciates women in designer shoes and those who have a curvy physique, with a fat butt and flat gut. He goes on to describe women with blonde streaks, who wear pink face Cartier timepieces and those who know how to be classy yet still know how to be nasty.
Overall, "Girls" is a song that celebrates the diversity of women and how Fabolous appreciates them all, regardless of their background, race or appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
(Girls) Those that are bourgeois
I enjoy the company of girls who come from upper class backgrounds
Those that are hoochie
I am also attracted to girls who wear revealing or suggestive clothing
Those are usually in Gucci
I also find that girls who wear high-end fashion brands like Gucci are especially appealing to me
(Girls) Some of them no good
I am aware that some of the girls I am interested in may not have the best intentions or may be untrustworthy
Some of them so hood
I am also drawn to girls who come from rough neighborhoods or who have a tough exterior
But they all pros at you know what
Regardless of their background or personality, these girls are all skilled in certain areas that I find attractive
(Girls) Local or overseas
I am open to meeting girls from both my local area and from different countries
They all go crazy over me
I am confident in my ability to attract and seduce women, and I find it flattering when girls show interest in me
Don't matter what part of the world
I am not restricted by geographic location when it comes to finding girls to pursue
Look, I done had my share
I have had many experiences with different girls in the past
Bringin' round me, is a bad idea
Being in a relationship with me may not be a good idea for some girls, based on my previous actions and behavior
I take Big or small, short or tall
I am attracted to girls of all shapes and sizes
Light or dark, I try them all
I am not limited by race or ethnicity when it comes to romantic pursuits
'Cause I like
I am not ashamed to admit that I have certain preferences and turn-ons
From stupido groupie hoes
I have been with girls who were not intelligent or were only interested in me for superficial reasons
To one of these r&b group skio's
I have also been with girls who are part of the music industry or who have celebrity status
I need a slick mouth, thick south, brickhouse
I find girls who are outspoken and confident, with a curvy figure, to be especially attractive
Or I may date, a-rate playmate
I am open to dating girls who are models or who have appeared in magazines such as Playboy
Ten in the face, thin in the waist
I am attracted to girls who have a pretty face and a slim body
Tight in the thighs, light in the eyes
I am also attracted to girls who have toned legs and light-colored eyes
Even those
I am not picky when it comes to finding girls to pursue
Who think they the shit
I am willing to give girls a chance even if they have a high opinion of themselves
I keep my
I maintain a certain image or persona when out in public
Walkin' on pedicured paws
I pay attention to the small details when it comes to grooming and personal appearance
Touchin' wit' manicured claws
I also find it attractive when girls take care of their hands and nails
If you waxed down, and tanned up
I particularly find girls who have recently shaved and who have a tan to be physically appealing
Then let me see ya hands up
I am signaling to any girls nearby who fit my preferences to draw attention to themselves
I like my
I have a specific set of preferences when it comes to physical attributes and personality traits in girls
In four inch Christian Laboutins
I find girls who wear high heels, particularly designer brands like Christian Louboutin, to be attractive
Lips made for kissin' and poutin'
I also have a preference for girls who have full lips
Fat butt, flat gut, and that strut. to drive cat nuts
I find girls who have a curvy butt and a flat stomach, and who walk with confidence, to be especially alluring
I like my Gangsta pretty, stank saditty
I am attracted to girls who have a tough, streetwise attitude but who also take pride in their appearance
No change, only got frank and fitty's
I am not interested in girls who only care about money and material possessions
Them Natural born fraks, wit blonde streaks
I find girls who have a wild or unconventional appearance, such as blonde streaks in their hair, to be intriguing
Seven's on cheeks
I also find girls who have a visible physique, such as toned cheeks or abs, to be attractive
My nothin'less than a dime piece
I have high standards when it comes to the girls I pursue
Pink face cartier time piece
I also have an appreciation for luxury items such as a Cartier watch
Thug enough to cuss out cops
I find girls who are confident and not afraid to speak their mind to be attractive, even if it means getting into trouble with law enforcement
Wit' tits that'll bust out tops
I am also attracted to girls who have a curvy figure and who wear revealing clothing
I like my Classy and sassy,
I also appreciate girls who are well-educated and intelligent, but who also have a fun and outgoing personality
Still know how to be nasty
I appreciate girls who are not afraid to be themselves and show off their more naughty side
Like my
I have a wide range of preferences when it comes to girls
Wit' no laws, no flaws
I find girls who are carefree and spontaneous, with no major flaws or baggage, to be especially attractive
No bra's and no drwaws'
I also appreciate girls who are not too uptight about wearing underwear, or who prefer to go without it altogether
Those yours
I am casually asking if the girl I am interested in fits any of these descriptions, without coming on too strong
From the Asian to the Malaysian
I am interested in girls of various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds
I even had the Bahian to the Caucasian
I have had previous romantic experiences with girls of both African and European descent
I spend most the weekend
I have an active social life and often spend time with different girls on the weekends
Wit' pretty Puerto and Costa Rican
I am currently spending time with girls who come from Puerto Rico and Costa Rica
Then again, I love Dominicians
I also have a preference for girls who come from the Dominican Republic
And might be stylin' wit' a Italian
I am open to the possibility of dating a girl who is from Italy or has Italian heritage
I be shakin for a Jamaican and Haitian
I also find girls from Jamaica and Haiti to be attractive
And take by the million if they they Brazilian
I find Brazilian girls to be very appealing and would love to meet as many as possible
I'm sailin' wit' a Australian
I am currently spending time with a girl who is from Australia
Or trafficin' wit' the south African
I am also interested in meeting girls who are from South Africa
Panamaian or Grenadian
I am open to meeting girls from a wide range of countries, including Panama and Grenada
You know I cross the border for a Canadian
I am also interested in meeting girls from Canada
I need a miss that's Swiss, a freak that's Greek
I am interested in meeting girls who come from various parts of Europe, including Switzerland and Greece
Or distinguished English
I also find girls from England to be particularly attractive
I fly in for a Hawaiian
I am willing to travel to meet a girl who is from Hawaii
And if you don't know who I am
I assume that some people may not be familiar with my music or reputation, but I still enjoy meeting new people and pursuing romantic relationships
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAWRENCE SMITH, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS, DARRYL MATTHEWS MCDANIELS, SAMUEL J. BARNES, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, JEAN CLAUDE OLIVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind