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."
Gotta Be Thug
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, Fabolous strive for digits, even connive to get it
Niggas can't tell me nothin' dun, the 5 is kitted
for Dead Presidents any cat alive can get it
I walk around covered in ice like I survived a blizzard
got enough chips to bribe you wit' it
pay off security at clubs, get my guns and knives admitted
I'm the type that gets tried and aquitted
then niggas run to the precinct and describe who did it
come home and find the necks on their wives are slitted
I got niggas on my side comitted
to leave you and the driver splitted
with your brain spilled inside your fitted
Fabolous, the only way to I.D. him is in a Five BM
puffin' sticky green 'till my eyes be slim
operate with more chips than IBM
fuck with me and make the news at Five PM.
Chorus -
If ya'll see me gettin' locked it gotta be drugs
if ya'll see chrome on the truck it gotta be dubs
if I'm givin' somethin' to haters it gotta be slugs
if it's one thing it's gotta be it's gotta be thug
no info, I'm I'm leakin' it gotta be blood
If my earlobes are hangin', it gotta be studs
if the bitch on her knees, it gotta be love
if it's one thing it's gotta be, it's gotta be thug.
(Fabolous)
Niggas don't wanna play around, they see how calm I do things
swarm in a blue range, armed with two flames
Flex play my joints, drop bombs like Hussien
catch a cataracts, glance at the charm and new chain
I got coke in every part of Brooknam that you name
niggas want it, when you wave firearms their views change
end up havin' to move they Moms to Ukraine
get ADT alarms and new names
come in the club, under each arm is two dames
buyin' bottles of Dom with my loose change
niggas hate me now 'cause I catch the eyes of dimes
flooded the hood with Tre's the size of dimes
ride through the hood with chrome pokin' off the wheels
I'm in the game tryin' to get broken off with Mils
shove the gun in your mouth, have you chokin' off the steel
niggas love the band, but the chicks open off the grill.
Chorus -
(Fabolous)
I'm ready to address the haters and underestimaters
hop in the truck, ride up on ya'll like escalators
hit ya chest up, leave you hooked to respirators
bed ridden talkin' to investigators
now these ladies will do anything just to date us
'cause we skate around on ice like escapaders
dressed in Gators, in peace I'm restin' haters
when police come for me, fly West to Vegas
ridin' or dyin', niggas know I'm ridin' with iron
smoke compartment in the dash that I'm hidin' the lye in
my pockets is fat, ya'll accounts is on slim fast
I'm Twenty, with Twenty's on a M-Class
just gimmie head it won't sweat your hairdo out
we ain't tryin' to hear you out we tryin' to air you out
make ya'll run to the stores and clear Clue out
'bout to put cameras in the truck, take the rearviews out
What nigga....
Chorus -
In "Gotta Be Thug" by Fabolous, the rapper proudly brags about his luxurious lifestyle and his street credibility. In the first verse, he talks about how he's willing to do whatever it takes to make money and protect himself. He mentions that he pays off security at clubs to carry guns and knives, and if anyone tries to mess with him, he'll come after them with a Four-Five. He also boasts about having enough money to bribe people and survive harsh conditions like a blizzard. He's surrounded by loyal friends who are willing to fight for him, and he drives around in a fancy Five BM car. Even his smoking habits are extravagant, as he puffs on sticky green.
In the second verse, Fabolous continues to talk about his wealth and power. He mentions his expensive cars (blue range and M-Class), his abundance of cocaine (in every part of Brooknam), and his ability to attract beautiful women (two dames under each arm). He's not afraid to be violent, though, as he threatens to shove a gun in someone's mouth and choke them with it. He enjoys showing off his money by buying expensive things like Dom Perignon champagne, and he feels like he's earned his success because he's endured criticism and skepticism along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, Fabolous strive for digits, even connive to get it
Fabolous greedily pursues wealth and will do whatever it takes to obtain it, even if that means being deceitful
Niggas can't tell me nothin' dun, the 5 is kitted
Fabolous feels untouchable and superior to others with his tricked out BMW
for Dead Presidents any cat alive can get it
Fabolous values money above all else and is willing to harm anyone for it
I walk around covered in ice like I survived a blizzard
Fabolous wears expensive jewelry, seemingly unfazed by the potential danger it brings him
got enough chips to bribe you wit' it
Fabolous has the financial means to bribe people if necessary
pay off security at clubs, get my guns and knives admitted
Fabolous bribes security staff to get his weapons into clubs and other public places
I'm the type that gets tried and aquitted
Fabolous has been accused of committing crimes, but he always wins in court
if my vibes ain't wit' it I pull the Four-Five and spit it
If Fabolous senses a threat, he will use his gun without hesitation
then niggas run to the precinct and describe who did it
People who Fabolous has harmed will run to the police station and identify him
come home and find the necks on their wives are slitted
Fabolous is capable of extreme violence, including murdering people's wives
I got niggas on my side comitted
Fabolous has loyal friends who will do anything for him
to leave you and the driver splitted
Fabolous and his friends will kill both the driver and passenger of a car
with your brain spilled inside your fitted
The victim's head will be blown apart inside their baseball cap
Fabolous, the only way to I.D. him is in a Five BM
Fabolous often drives his BMW and can be identified by it
puffin' sticky green 'till my eyes be slim
Fabolous smokes marijuana, causing his eyes to become bloodshot
operate with more chips than IBM
Fabolous has more money than the tech company IBM
fuck with me and make the news at Five PM.
If someone crosses Fabolous, they may end up in the news at five o'clock for their violent encounter with him
If ya'll see me gettin' locked it gotta be drugs
If Fabolous gets arrested, it's likely for drug-related charges
if ya'll see chrome on the truck it gotta be dubs
Fabolous only puts Chrome rims on his truck
if I'm givin' somethin' to haters it gotta be slugs
If Fabolous gives his enemies something, it's likely to be bullets
if it's one thing it's gotta be it's gotta be thug
If there's one thing Fabolous represents, it's being a violent and intimidating thug
no info, I'm I'm leakin' it gotta be blood
If Fabolous shares information about someone, it's because they're bleeding and possibly dying
If my earlobes are hangin', it gotta be studs
Fabolous has pierced ears and wears expensive earrings
if the bitch on her knees, it gotta be love
If a woman performs oral sex on Fabolous, he may mistake it for a genuine act of love
if it's one thing it's gotta be, it's gotta be thug.
Fabolous sees himself as purely a thug, nothing more
Niggas don't wanna play around, they see how calm I do things
People avoid messing with Fabolous because he is calm and collected
swarm in a blue range, armed with two flames
Fabolous drives a blue Range Rover and carries two guns
Flex play my joints, drop bombs like Hussein
When Fabolous's music is played on the radio, he feels like a powerful leader dropping bombs like Saddam Hussein
catch a cataracts, glance at the charm and new chain
If someone looks at Fabolous's jewelry, they may be blinded by its shininess
I got coke in every part of Brooknam that you name
Fabolous has illegal drugs in every part of Brooklyn
niggas want it, when you wave firearms their views change
People who were once confrontational quickly back down when Fabolous shows his guns
end up havin' to move they Moms to Ukraine
Someone who crosses Fabolous may need to move to a distant location, such as Ukraine, to protect their family
get ADT alarms and new names
People who cross Fabolous need to change their names and install ADT alarms for added security
come in the club, under each arm is two dames
Fabolous enters the club with two women on each arm
buyin' bottles of Dom with my loose change
Fabolous is so rich that he can afford to buy expensive bottles of champagne with his pocket change
niggas hate me now 'cause I catch the eyes of dimes
Jealousy and resentment are directed at Fabolous from men who are envious of the attractive women he attracts
flooded the hood with Tre's the size of dimes
Fabolous has made sure that his neighborhood is full of high-end Cadillac Escalades with rims the size of dimes
ride through the hood with chrome pokin' off the wheels
When Fabolous drives around in his car, his shiny rims catch people's attention
I'm in the game tryin' to get broken off with Mils
Fabolous is in the rap game to earn millions of dollars
shove the gun in your mouth, have you chokin' off the steel
If someone crosses Fabolous, they could end up with a gun shoved in their mouth, causing them to choke
niggas love the band, but the chicks open off the grill.
Men love Fabolous's music, but women are more impressed by his money and jewelry
I'm ready to address the haters and underestimaters
Fabolous is prepared to confront anyone who doubts him
hop in the truck, ride up on ya'll like escalators
Fabolous drives his car aggressively and with pride
hit ya chest up, leave you hooked to respirators
Fabolous is capable of causing serious bodily harm, leaving his victims on life support
bed ridden talkin' to investigators
After being assaulted by Fabolous, someone may end up in the hospital answering questions from detectives
now these ladies will do anything just to date us
Women are attracted to Fabolous's fame and wealth and will do anything to be with him
cause we skate around on ice like escapaders
Fabolous and his friends drive luxury cars on icy roads like figure skaters
dressed in Gators, in peace I'm restin' haters
Fabolous wears expensive shoes called Gators and is unbothered by those who dislike him
when police come for me, fly West to Vegas
If the police are after Fabolous, he will escape to Las Vegas to avoid getting caught
ridin' or dyin', niggas know I'm ridin' with iron
Fabolous always carries a gun with him, even if it means risking his own life
smoke compartment in the dash that I'm hidin' the lye in
Fabolous hides his marijuana in a hidden compartment in his car's dashboard
my pockets is fat, ya'll accounts is on slim fast
Fabolous is very wealthy, while others are financially struggling
I'm Twenty, with Twenty's on a M-Class
Fabolous is young and rich, driving a Mercedes-Benz M-Class
just gimmie head it won't sweat your hairdo out
Fabolous only asks for oral sex, so as not to mess up a woman's hair
we ain't tryin' to hear you out we tryin' to air you out
Fabolous doesn't care about hearing someone's side of the story if he's already decided to harm them
make ya'll run to the stores and clear Clue out
If Fabolous threatens someone, they may go to the record store and buy all of DJ Clue's music for protection
bout to put cameras in the truck, take the rearviews out
Fabolous plans to install security cameras in his car and remove the rearview mirrors
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.