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."
Holla At Somebody Real
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Fabolous]
Yo
Baby Girl where you at ?
[Lil Mo]
Right here
right here baby
Here's another one
[Fabolous]
You need to holla at somebody real such as myself
Won't nobody do as much as myself
And its so real ill hop out and get the dutches myself
For a pretty girl as such as yaself
'cause ima busy man I don't see too much for myself
And sometimes it be hard to get in touch with myself
But I, make the time when I have to
Learn to take my time and be careful when dealing wit women
There's some who be willing and skimming
And dive in to relationships 'cause I got a million to swim in
They'll throw it to you faster than schilling and clemens
But feelings ain't the only thing that you can catch now
Some throw lawyers that you hoping they fetch thous
Others pass diseases that you can catch now
But in my minutes so lone I think about this crazy world
And.. I don't want to live in it alone
Come on
[Chorus: Lil Mo]
Ill give you all my love
And you can always trust
My loyalty, honesty, and security (and i'll never)
Ill never leave (no, no, no)
Can none of these other chicks fuck wit me
So holla at somebody real (cause i)
'cause I'm so real
[Fabolous]
(real love) I'm searching for a real love like j blige in 92
but I pray I will find you
And say whether the storm will leave the gray skies behind you
The fake may try to blind you
That's why I stay fly like I do
And no I can trust everybody that I say hi and bye to
First I need a girl that may die as my boo
Then I may try the I do's
But, I refuse to be trick
Or used by a chick
Who gets amusement of kicks
Out of abusing my dick
When its real I'm all in it
But I don't want the scars of love that you get when you fall in it
(no) before it didn't matter who
Now I look for some with a little attitude
I could chitter chatter to, good looking
But witty and compatible
Long hair wit a fatty too
And that'll do
[Chorus:]
[Lil Mo]
No I'm not trying to pressure you
But my loves to incredible
For to waste
In front of your face
Then I give you something you can feel
To let you know your hollering at somebody real
[Fabolous]
I need to holla at somebody real could that be you
The feelings that I feel could that be true
Most cats lay where the hood rats be boo
But I'm the kinda cat that strays away
That's til somebody real sways my way
Then I might spend some days always
On a Asia bay
Eating food made the Cajun way
And sippin ga lil saki
Blowing a lil brocoli
But this world is full of fluzi's
And bullshit usually
I pull I'm choosy
And on this joint and at this point
I know I need to holla at somebody real
For real
[Chorus: x2]
The song "Holla At Somebody Real" by Fabolous ft. Lil Mo talks about the singer's search for genuine love and loyalty, emphasizing the significance of honesty and security in his relationships. Fabolous addresses a "baby girl' he is interested in, and highlights his busy schedule, making it hard for him to maintain contact with himself and look for a trustworthy partner. He's looking for a woman who can match his energy and vibe, promising his loyalty if he finds someone real. The chorus repeats Lil Mo's pledge to be loyal and honest, making her stand out from the other women. Fabolous also warns of the various snares that come with relationships, such as fake love, diseases, and deceit.
Throughout the entirety of the song, the two singers share a conversational tone that suggests an understanding between them. Fabolous contrasts the fake love and relationships that many of his celebrity friends engagements and talks about the scars of love that come from falling too deeply too fast. He's in search of a genuine connection and a real, deep partnership. By emphasizing the significance of honesty, loyalty, and trust, the artist highlights the need for human connection, and how hard it is to find it in the modern world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo Baby Girl where you at ?
Fabolous is asking where Lil Mo is.
You need to holla at somebody real such as myself
Fabolous is suggesting that Lil Mo needs to talk to someone real, like himself.
Won't nobody do as much as myself
Fabolous is implying that nobody can do as much as he can.
And its so real ill hop out and get the dutches myself
Fabolous is willing to do even small things for a girl he likes.
'cause ima busy man I don't see too much for myself
Fabolous is a busy man and doesn't have much time for himself.
But I, make the time when I have to
However, Fabolous makes the time when he needs to.
Learn to take my time and be careful when dealing wit women
Fabolous has learned to take his time and be cautious when dealing with women.
There's some who be willing and skimming
Some women are willing to skim and take advantage of him.
And dive in to relationships 'cause I got a million to swim in
Some women enter relationships with Fabolous because he is wealthy.
They'll throw it to you faster than schilling and clemens
Some women will throw themselves at him faster than players Schilling and Clemens threw pitches.
But feelings ain't the only thing that you can catch now
Women can also give you other things to catch, like diseases.
Some throw lawyers that you hoping they fetch thous
Some women may throw lawyers at him, hoping to get thousands of dollars from him.
Others pass diseases that you can catch now
Some women may pass on diseases to him.
But in my minutes so lone I think about this crazy world
When Fabolous is alone, he thinks about the craziness of the world.
And.. I don't want to live in it alone
Fabolous doesn't want to live in this world alone.
Ill give you all my love And you can always trust My loyalty, honesty, and security (and i'll never) Ill never leave (no, no, no) Can none of these other chicks fuck wit me So holla at somebody real (cause i) 'cause I'm so real
Lil Mo promises to give Fabolous her love and stay loyal to him.
(real love) I'm searching for a real love like j blige in 92 but I pray I will find you
Fabolous is looking for real love like in J Blige's song in 1992.
And say whether the storm will leave the gray skies behind you
Fabolous hopes to help Lil Mo through any difficult times she may be going through.
That's why I stay fly like I do
Fabolous stays looking good to attract the right woman.
And no I can trust everybody that I say hi and bye to
Fabolous can't trust everyone he meets and only has a few close people he can trust.
First I need a girl that may die as my boo
Fabolous needs a girl who is willing to commit to him long-term.
Then I may try the I do's
If he finds the right girl, Fabolous may consider getting married.
But, I refuse to be trick Or used by a chick Who gets amusement of kicks Out of abusing my dick
Fabolous won't let a woman trick or use him for her own amusement.
When its real I'm all in it But I don't want the scars of love that you get when you fall in it
Fabolous is open to love but doesn't want to get hurt in the process.
Before it didn't matter who Now I look for some with a little attitude I could chitter chatter to, good looking But witty and compatible Long hair wit a fatty too And that'll do
Fabolous has changed what he looks for in a woman and now wants someone with a little attitude who is compatible and attractive.
No I'm not trying to pressure you But my loves to incredible For to waste In front of your face Then I give you something you can feel To let you know your hollering at somebody real
Lil Mo isn't pressuring Fabolous but wants him to know that her love is real and he can trust her.
I need to holla at somebody real could that be you
Fabolous needs to talk to someone real and wonders if Lil Mo is that person.
The feelings that I feel could that be true
Fabolous is questioning if his feelings are true.
Most cats lay where the hood rats be boo But I'm the kinda cat that strays away
Most guys are attracted to hood rats, but Fabolous is different and stays away.
That's til somebody real sways my way
However, if someone real comes along, Fabolous may change his mind.
Then I might spend some days always On a Asia bay Eating food made the Cajun way And sippin ga lil saki Blowing a lil brocoli
If he finds someone real, Fabolous may spend time with her in Asia, enjoying the food and drink there.
But this world is full of fluzi's And bullshit usually I pull I'm choosy
Fabolous is aware that the world is full of fake people and he is careful about who he chooses to spend time with.
And on this joint and at this point I know I need to holla at somebody real For real
At this point in his life, Fabolous knows he needs to talk to someone real and genuine.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: CYNTHIA LOVING, HACHIDAI NAKAMURA, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, ROKUSUKE EI, Hachidal Nakamura, J Brasco, Rokusuke El, S Slater
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind