John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York), better k… Read Full Bio ↴John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York), better known by his stage name Fabolous, is a Grammy award nominated American rapper, actor and designer signed to Def Jam Records. He released his debut album, Ghetto Fabolous in 2001 and has since released 2003's Street Dreams, 2004's Real Talk and 2007's From Nothin' To Somethin', all of which have collectively sold over four million copies in the United States. His fourth studio album, Loso's Way, was released in July of 2009 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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."

Its Goin Down
Fabolous Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know they ain't gon play this on top 40 radio
But the white girls still gon' ride it like a rodeo
And I'ma stay ridin' this beat like a rodeo
And keep throwin' money til shorty gon' touch her toes
I'ma keep it real with you baby you bad
Kinda like Michael Jackson you bad
If you was my girl and left me I be sad
And for that let me see that ass

I'm here to see that thing pop
I'm here to see that thing rock
I'm here to see you pick it up and let it drop
She backin' it up on me, DJ you know you wrong
Enough with the mothafuckin' dance songs

You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
So she can take her time and work it on me babe
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Just swing it left, swing it right
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Uh huh that's what she likes (DJ you gotta slow it)

Now she rollin' that and whippin' her hair
Slow motion with it while everyone stares
You can see her ass from a satellite
Back and forth, forth and back
Show me what they do this that
Always with ya baby Ill never sell out
Them other niggas had to do a dance record
Or the label wouldn't put 'em out
I'll never put a million records before you
Just keep on doing that thing you do

I'm here to see that thing pop
I'm here to see that thing rock
I'm here to see you pick it up and let it drop
She backin' it up on me, DJ you know you wrong
Enough with the mothafuckin' dance songs

You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
So she can take her time and work it on me babe
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Just swing it left, swing it right
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Uh huh that's what she likes

Erybody know slow money, way better than no money
Except for those who don't know shit
Don't know women and don't own money
It starts out I'm so cool
We hangin' out and I'm so funny
All of a sudden I'm Winnie the Pooh
All up in your honey
Pants on her slim fit
Lights in the room dim lit
And I'm feelin' on your booty on some R Kelly and Lil Kim shit
Pants on her slim fit
Lights in the room dim lit
And I'm feelin' on your booty on some R Kelly and Lil Kim shit

Slow it down
Down down down (Hey Mr. DJ)
Down down down
So she can take her time and work it on me babe
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down (I'm just tryin' to dance with my baby)
Down down down
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
You gotta slow it down
Down down down (I said please Mr. DJ)
Down down down
Just swing it left, swing it right
DJ you gotta slow it down (Man I'm just tryin' to)
Down down down (Man I'm just tryin' to)
Down down down (Man I'm just tryin' to dance with my baby)
That's what she likes (Down)

I'ma keep it real with you baby you bad
Kinda like Michael Jackson you bad

If you was my girl and you left me I be sad
And for that let me see that ass (drop)

Overall Meaning

Fabolous and The-Dream's song “Slow It Down” is an R&B/hip-hop track that talks about slow dancing and seduction. Fabulous starts off with lyrics that predict the song might not get played on the radio but admits that white girls will still ride it like a rodeo. He plays with the word “rodeo” and says he will stay riding the beat like a rodeo, throwing money until the girl touches her toes. He keeps it real with her and compares her to Michael Jackson, confessing that if she left him, he would be sad. The chorus repeats the refrain “You gotta slow it down” to emphasize the need for the DJ to slow the tempo so the girl can take her time and work it on him properly.

The verse continues with Fabolous requesting to see her move and pick it up and drop it while the DJ plays the necessary music. He admits that she makes him feel like Winnie the Pooh all up in her honey, feeling on her booty like R. Kelly and Lil Kim. He continues to compliment her on her slim fit and her booty while emphasizing the need for the DJ to slow it down. The song's overall theme is about enjoying a seductive, slow dance with that special someone.

Line by Line Meaning

I know they ain't gon play this on top 40 radio
The song may not be played on mainstream radio, but that won't stop people from enjoying it.

But the white girls still gon' ride it like a rodeo
Despite the song not being played on mainstream radio, white girls will still enjoy it and dance to it.

And I'ma stay ridin' this beat like a rodeo
The artist plans to continue performing to the beat of the song with energy and enthusiasm.

And keep throwin' money til shorty gon' touch her toes
The artist plans to keep throwing money until the girl dances so hard that she touches her toes.

I'ma keep it real with you baby you bad
The artist is being genuine when he says that the girl is attractive.

Kinda like Michael Jackson you bad
The artist is comparing the girl's level of attractiveness to that of Michael Jackson's charisma and sex appeal.

If you was my girl and left me I be sad
The artist would feel hurt and upset if the girl he is admiring were to break up with him.

And for that let me see that ass
The artist is asking the girl to show him her rear end.

I'm here to see that thing pop
The artist is at the club to watch the girl dance in a sexually suggestive way.

I'm here to see that thing rock
The artist is at the club to watch the girl dance in a way that catches attention and exudes sexual appeal.

I'm here to see you pick it up and let it drop
The artist is at the club to watch the girl's dance moves, particularly when she picks up and drops her body.

She backin' it up on me, DJ you know you wrong
The artist is getting close to a girl who is dancing and implies that the DJ made a mistake by playing a slow song at the club.

Enough with the mothafuckin' dance songs
The artist is tired of hearing typical dance songs and wants something different to be played at the club.

You gotta slow it down
The artist asks the DJ to play slower-paced music.

So she can take her time and work it on me babe
The artist wants the music to be slowed down so that the girl can dance in a way that engages him more intently.

Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
The artist plans to engage intimately with the girl while she dances on him.

Just swing it left, swing it right
The artist wants the girl to change her dance moves and shift directions while dancing.

Uh huh that's what she likes
The artist implies that the girl enjoys the slower-paced music and intimate dancing.

Erybody know slow money, way better than no money
Slow money is better than no money, as stated in the proverb.

Except for those who don't know shit
The artist implies that there are some people who do not understand this concept.

Don't know women and don't own money
The artist implies that those who don't know about slow money also don't understand women and financial stability.

It starts out I'm so cool
The artist is confident and collected.

We hangin' out and I'm so funny
The artist has a humorous and likeable personality.

All of a sudden I'm Winnie the Pooh
Something unexpected happened, and the artist's likable nature has diminished.

All up in your honey
The artist is interested in the girl's intimate areas.

Pants on her slim fit
The girl is wearing slim fitting pants.

Lights in the room dim lit
The lights in the room are dim/dark.

And I'm feelin' on your booty on some R Kelly and Lil Kim shit
The artist is touching the girl's rear end, channeling R. Kelly and Lil Kim's vulgar style of hip hop music.

Slow it down
The artist reiterates his request for the DJ to play slower music.

Hey Mr. DJ
The artist addresses the DJ directly.

I'm just tryin' to dance with my baby
The artist is enjoying intimate moments with his partner.

That's what she likes
The artist implies that this is what his partner enjoys as well.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TERIUS NASH, JOHN JACKSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS