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 in the Game
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got another one boy, (A-T-L),
(Just throw it in the bag)
Whats up Brooklyn, whats up son,
Whats up Fabo, a man, I got that black Amex wit me,
Aka that throw it the bag card, yeah!
Now I know you ain't over there starin' at my girl
Nigga I know you don't call yourself hollarin' at my girl
I know you don't call yourself hollarin' at my girl
I keep hittin' the baton, Louie Vuttion
Gucci down to her feet, yup just like me.
I'm the one, with them ones.
Fuck the price on the tag
Just throw it in the bag.
Un huh un huh un huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Look at price tags
Where they do that at
Heard that in A-T-L
When I'm in A-T-L
Just ask my baby girl
I treat that lady well
Ain't nothin' so so
An I know JD Well
A couple Benz's, black white gray C.L.
Got niggas lookin' like, did we miss a Mercedes sale?
Don't wonder what I do, just know they pay me well.
They keep that Gucci and that Louie on my lady L's
That's the way we feel
Must be nice man
You wit the right man
You ain't gotta price scan, or ask how much
Now what I look like
Son I'm from Brooklyn, what it look like
You get it, cause I got it
I got it, so you get it
In my Miami they say, don't stop get it get it
Mami do the speedie
Daddy do the duffel
Bag full of chips
We ain't talkin' ruffles
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
See I know what I'm a tell her
The same thing that the bank robber told the teller
Just throw it in the bag
That's the way it suppose to be
A real nigga posed to help you out with the groceries
Just throw it in the bag
Paper or plastic, its safer to ask it
So dent that nigga, I will pay for the casket
That Remy Mar' got him spittin' plenty bars
Broke ass nigga couldn't buy the mini bar
So get with loso
He ain't got to no so
Such a gentlemen dozen bottles of that rose mo
Oh you gotta man, well you need a richa one
Meet me in the parking lot, the place say get you one
Meet me at the register
I'm there on the regular
Them niggas price checkin'
You can help them in a second
As we proceed to give you what you need
Like we breakin' down the weed
Shorty just throw it in the bag!
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Everybody do the throw it in the bag
Hey throw it in the bag
Everybody do the throw it in the bag
Hey throw it in the bag
Everybody do the throw it in the bag
Hey throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
Uh huh uh huh uh huh
Just throw it in the bag
“Put It In The Bag” is a hip-hop song by Fabolous featuring The Dream. The song starts with a reference to a “black Amex” also known as the “throw it in the bag” card which is associated with people with financial abundance. The chorus of the song “Just throw it in the bag” creates an impression of ease and abundance as if money is nothing to the artist. Fabolous starts the first verse addressing someone who he thinks is staring at his girl and wittily warns him that he already knows what the guy is up to. The second verse elaborates on the lavish lifestyle of Fabolous as he boasts about his fashion statements, and his ability to pay for luxury without looking at price tags.
The song has several layers of meaning, one of which is about power dynamics. Fabolous appears to be in a position of power as a wealthy successful guy who has everything and can get anything he wants. He poses as the guy who 'throws it in the bag' without a second thought. The “throw it in the bag” phrase serves as a metaphor for how money flows easily in the artist's life. The song also gives an impression of the stereotypical hip-hop artist commonly associated with money and superficiality. However, in spite of these perceptions, the song can also be seen as celebratory of personal success and the ability to enjoy the finer things of life.
Line by Line Meaning
(You already know what it is),
We have another hit song ready, and this time we're representing Atlanta.
We got another one boy, (A-T-L),
We've got another hit song for the people of Atlanta.
(Just throw it in the bag)
No need to worry about the price, just put it in the bag and let me handle it.
Now I know you ain't over there starin' at my girl
I know you're not looking at my girlfriend inappropriately.
Yea I know you ain't over there starin' at my girl
I'm sure you wouldn't dare stare at my girlfriend.
Nigga I know you don't call yourself hollarin' at my girl
I know you're not trying to get my girl's attention or flirting with her.
I know you don't call yourself hollarin' at my girl
I'm confident that you're not shouting at my girlfriend to get her attention.
I keep hittin' the baton, Louie Vuttion
I continue to purchase high-end fashion brands like Louis Vuitton.
Gucci down to her feet, yup just like me.
My girlfriend is wearing Gucci from head to toe, just like me.
I'm the one, with them ones.
I'm rich and I carry around wads of cash.
Fuck the price on the tag
I don't care how much it costs, I'll still buy it.
Just throw it in the bag.
Just put it in the bag and let me worry about the cost.
Look at price tags
Who looks at the price tag? That's not important when you have money like me.
Where they do that at
Who actually cares about price tags in this day and age?
Heard that in A-T-L
I learned that in Atlanta where money is no object.
When I'm in A-T-L
Whenever I'm in Atlanta, I don't worry about how much things cost.
Just ask my baby girl
Just ask my girlfriend, she knows that I will take care of everything.
I treat that lady well
I take good care of my girlfriend and give her everything she wants.
Ain't nothin' so so
I don't buy average or mediocre things.
An I know JD Well
I am familiar with Jermaine Dupri (JD) and his lifestyle of luxury and excess.
A couple Benz's, black white gray C.L.
I own multiple luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz in black, white, and gray.
Got niggas lookin' like, did we miss a Mercedes sale?
People are surprised and envious of my wealth, wondering if there was a sale on Mercedes that they missed.
Don't wonder what I do, just know they pay me well.
Don't question how I make my money, just know that I make a lot of it.
They keep that Gucci and that Louie on my lady L's
My girlfriend always wears Gucci and Louis Vuitton, just like me.
That's the way we feel
That's how my girlfriend and I like to dress and live our lives.
Must be nice man
It's great to have money and be able to afford anything you want.
You wit the right man
My girlfriend is lucky to be with me because I can afford to give her anything she desires.
You ain't gotta price scan, or ask how much
Don't worry about the price or ask how much something costs, I'll take care of it.
Now what I look like
What kind of person do you think I am?
Son I'm from Brooklyn, what it look like
I am from Brooklyn and I have a reputation to uphold as someone who doesn't care about the cost of things.
You get it, cause I got it
Don't worry about the cost because I have the money to afford it.
I got it, so you get it
I can afford to buy you anything you want, so don't worry about the price.
In my Miami they say, don't stop get it get it
In Miami, they encourage you to keep working and getting money.
Mami do the speedie
My girlfriend should grab the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag and let me fill it up with anything she wants.
Daddy do the duffel
I'll carry the larger duffel bag and fill it up with everything else.
Bag full of chips
We'll have a bag full of money and chips to spend wherever we go.
We ain't talkin' ruffles
We're not discussing potato chips, we're talking about real money.
See I know what I'm a tell her
I know exactly what I'm going to say to my girlfriend.
The same thing that the bank robber told the teller
I'm going to tell her to put everything she wants in the bag, just like a bank robber tells a teller to put all the money in a bag.
Just throw it in the bag
Don't worry about the cost, just put it in the bag and I'll take care of it.
That's the way it suppose to be
It's normal and expected for me to take care of my girlfriend and buy her anything she wants.
A real nigga posed to help you out with the groceries
A real man is supposed to help his girlfriend with anything she needs, like shopping for groceries.
Paper or plastic, its safer to ask it
Whether we pay with cash or credit, it's better to ask first.
So dent that nigga, I will pay for the casket
If someone tries to take advantage of my girlfriend, I will take care of it and pay for their funeral.
That Remy Mar' got him spittin' plenty bars
The rapper Remy Ma inspires me to come up with a lot of lyrics and rhymes.
Broke ass nigga couldn't buy the mini bar
Someone who is poor can't afford to buy anything, not even a mini bar's worth of drinks.
So get with loso
Come and hang out with me, Loso (Fabulous).
He ain't got to no so
There's no need to ask me anything, just follow my lead.
Such a gentlemen dozen bottles of that rose mo
I'm a true gentleman and I'll buy my girlfriend a dozen bottles of Rosé champagne.
Oh you gotta man, well you need a richa one
If you already have a boyfriend, you need to find a richer man like me.
Meet me in the parking lot, the place say get you one
Let's meet in the parking lot and go shopping at a luxury store together.
Meet me at the register
Meet me at the checkout counter, I'll take care of everything.
I'm there on the regular
I'm a regular customer, so people know me and treat me well.
Them niggas price checkin'
Other guys are checking prices and trying to save money, but I don't care about the cost.
You can help them in a second
You can help them if you want, but I'll be ready to leave in just a moment.
As we proceed to give you what you need
I'm going to continue to provide my girlfriend with everything she wants and needs.
Like we breakin' down the weed
We're taking care of business and getting everything done.
Shorty just throw it in the bag!
Don't worry about the cost, just put it in the bag and I'll take care of it.
Everybody do the throw it in the bag
We're all taking care of business and buying anything we want, without worrying about the cost.
Hey throw it in the bag
No need to worry about the cost, just put it in the bag and we'll sort it out later.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN JACKSON, TERIUS NASH, CHRISTOPHER STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Renegade 4Life
one of the best nba soundtracks ever
BabbitXP
It went platinum!!
The Dream32
It’s thee best
PassadoTV
One of the best?!
The best ❤️
Metin Atabay
True
Bartek Kosa23
This is sick . I wish hip-hop was still like this today
ShinyHaunter05 :
Memories from when EA somewhat cared about making good games. This game is a gem
St23Vincent
I remember being in practice mode trying to swish a 3 at :40 to match this song lol fucking memories
Nikolan Kosman
Wow, that's awesome idea man! Cool!
jax
im drunk af and jammin to the nba live 2003 intro, idk if my life is fucked or amazing, but it really doesn't matter.