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."
IT'S ALRIGHT
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sean Paul alongside
Fabolous, you done know we bust
Telling them again, hey
Girl run away the guy that wants to "vibe kill" it
She say a only the "topper" youth and "dapper" youth she want (to) win it
Fabolous
And I'm yellin' out hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, yo
I can tell by the ring in the middle of your tongue
You're the kinda girl that has a little bit more fun
I'm literally yours hun
I never seen a ass so big with a waist as little as yours hun
And by the expressions on them hotties grills
I know they want to holla at somebody real
And I'm usually lookin' for somebody skilled
Enough to make a nigga say aye aye aye yo niggas get mad 'cause I may slay they hoe
But I don't want to let the ak spray so
Stop face fightin' me, like ya face frighten' me
I do this every year so I ain't never scared
I do this everywhere and you ain't never there
They sayin' this everywhere, how could you never hear
If you want to roll with the thugs tonight
Lights, camera, action can you feel the hype
Hit cruise control blazed Kryptonite
Well its alright, baby its alright
If you want to live up and free your life
Come through make we kick it 'til a morning light
Girl you want to roll with the thugs tonight
Well its alright, baby its alright
So get with it, we want hit it, we nah quit it
And I like tha way you body set and how your clothes fit it
I want you give me some of it because minute by minute
Temperature it all a rise because you thighs and all you hips, style
You shockin' it, you a rock it, you a kill it
And a one thing the Dutty Paul want to predict
Say by tha end of tha night you will be chillen' with tha click
Flossin' it, money we tossin' it
'Cause we a tha Boss in it
We naw ease up we ain't stallin', grab the girls all in
That's my true callin'
Ya'll freeze up while we be flowin' it
Your girl knowin' it and that's why she's showin' it
We naw ease up we ain't stallin', grab the girls all in
That's my true callin'
Ya'll freeze up we be flowin' it
Your girl knowin' it and that's why she's showin' it
If you want to roll with the thugs tonight
Lights, camera, action can you feel the hype
Hit cruise control blazed Kryptonite
Well its alright, baby its alright
If you want to live up and free your life
Come through make we kick it 'til a morning light
Girl you want to roll with the thugs tonight
Well its alright, baby its alright
Over here the liquor is light blue, the chronic is light green
They wearin' the right shoe, they put on the tight jeans
They bringin' me right through', I walk with a slight lean
My style excites you, I know what that might mean
Aye, I'ma freaky scorpio
Yo, tryna' leave with your skio
Aye, but its mandatory tho'
Yo' after me let shorey go
But that's another story tho'
Just please don't try to bring us to the Maury show
How cool is he?
You don't know a fool who be crazy enough to fool with me
You'd rather swim through a pool of pee
Then see the one you love in the vehicle with me
Aye yo
But the vibe is right, the girls is up to par
We gon', drink it tonight and earl it up tomorrow
It goes
If you want to roll with the thugs tonight
Lights, camera, action can you feel the hype
Hit cruise control blazed Kryptonite
Well its alright, baby its alright
If you want to live up and free your life
Come through make we kick it 'til a morning light
Girl you want to roll with the thugs tonight
Well its alright, baby its alright
In Fabolous's song "It's Alright," the lyrics describe the vibe of the scene and encourage the listener to let loose and enjoy themselves. The opening collaboration with Sean Paul promotes positivity and being with the right people who won't kill the mood. Fabolous then brags about his ability to attract women and how he doesn't want any trouble but simply wants to enjoy the night with a lovely companion. The song oozes confidence and the chorus invites the listener to join in on partying with the "thugs"--conveying a sense of danger but also liberation.
The song's lyrics are meant to convey the rapper's persona and lifestyle. Fabolous is known for his debonair style and celebrating his success through his music. The song's upbeat tempo and rhythmic flow match the energetic spirit of a party or night club. The collaboration with Sean Paul adds an international flair to the song, reflecting the Jamaican reggae artist's influence on the music. The song's message is universal in inviting the audience to let go and have fun.
Line by Line Meaning
All you need to know is the vibe round' here we built and instill it
The atmosphere here is confident and fun, and it's established by the people who are here
Girl run away the guy that wants to "vibe kill" it
Avoid the person who puts a damper on the good energy
Lets get it ta' poppin' ma, its a little before 1
Let's make this night exciting, it's still early
I'm literally yours hun
I'm interested in you and focused on you
And by the expressions on them hotties grills
From how the attractive people in the crowd are reacting, I can tell they want to talk to me
I do this every year so I ain't never scared
I'm experienced with this lifestyle, so I'm not afraid of anything
They sayin' this everywhere, how could you never hear
Everyone knows about this, how have you not heard of it?
If you want to roll with the thugs tonight
If you want to hang out with the cool crowd tonight
We naw ease up...We ain't stallin', grab the girls all in
We're not slowing down, we're going all in and getting all the girls to join us
Your girl knowin' it And that's why she's showin' it.
Your girlfriend is aware of the cool vibe and wants to be a part of it
Over here the liquor is light blue, the chronic is light green
The drinks and drugs here are high quality and enjoyable
But please don't try to bring us to the Maury show
Don't try to create drama or controversy, let's just have a good time
The vibe is right, the girls is up to par
The atmosphere is perfect and the girls are attractive
We gon', drink it tonight and earl it up tomorrow
We're going to party hard tonight and recover tomorrow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sean Paul Henriques, John Jackson, Justin Slater
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind