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."
Jokes On You
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus]
I'm like ha ha ha ha ha you niggas make me laugh,
C'mon if it don't make me math
I'm like ha ha ha ha ha what u can't take a joke,
Well I cant take being broke
I'm like ha ha ha ha ha, make money money money
[Verse: Fabolous]
You niggas are comical, who me
I'm seven digits two comical on my mama fool
I'm getting this money and that kill'em
They looking at a pimp funny I'm Katt Williams
Money mike, I gets money on the mic
And some say I'm wild'n out
Bacardi styling out, pushing seven digits dialing
But I ain't gotta fucking choice
My money talks in a Chris Tucker voice
"and you know this man"
You a stand up rapper, hip hop comedian
I start laughing as soon as I put your cd in
You joke, you joke, you kid, you kid
Should have went to comedy central with the vids you did
But OK, you b.e.t. only if its comic view
Promise you I'm funny style I can be a comic too
I'm Marty Mar, at a auty mar
Cute snotty broad, tits like dolly par
Ed harty naw this is carty ma
But that was a good one, hardy har
Lambo Galardi car getting my last laugh haw
[Chorus]
[Verse: Pusha t's]
The jokes on you niggas
See the figures don't add up to the claims
You Sam Kinnison you just screaming names
My brother my partner for real like the wayans
Plus everything in live in living color
High rise checks diamonds the size of Robin Harris'
I Bebe kids my neck
You call it a tribute, a proof that I distribute
Sales was slow I got Paco to contribute
Some morals in each state, move weight, get caught, don't talk, Dave Chappelle niggas might break
So hilarious, how the chariots, carry us
Phantom is light gray sort of like ashy Larry is
King of the one liner lil' rhymers watch what you say
You just a potty mouth like Andrew dice clay
I pop collars on niggas, I drop dollars on niggas
I jell o's together I bill Cosby on niggas
Got you lost in the smoke I Micheal Connelly you niggas
I watch u verse from the fire I Richard Pryor you niggas
Said enough nigga sort of like Kramer
I'm joking you don't wanna see the anger Fab tell'em
[Chorus]
[Verse 2: Fabolous]
Mane look, the diamonds in your chain look
Funnier than Dane Cook, you hit the Sufi
I am to fly, in the booth I
Make joke of them, I ain't the richest nigga but I ain't broke as them
I'm serious, petty worth will make a man delirious like Eddie Murph
Girls get curious
Is he really funny, don't be silly honey
I'm the burner packing
Bernie macing
I ain't scared of you ma-fuckers kick ass
Hon stack thick ass
A deck of card v.i.p. section hard
They try to holla at me you know the heckler broads
I'm popping rose, I don't the neck to god
Don't front yo, I be in the front row
Watch your wise cracks or I'll be at your front door
And I push up on a female smoothly, in a GL but keep that on the D.L. Hughley
Lol this is Los
Oh no your money coming so slow guess this ma-fuckers a no show, oh oh oh
[Chorus]
Fabolous's song "Jokes on You" is a humorous take on the pressure and importance of money in society. The chorus repeats the phrase "make money, money, make money" as Fabolous mocks those who are obsessed with acquiring wealth. He upholds humor as a way of dealing with the pressure and stresses of life. His humor is also directed towards other rappers who try too hard to establish themselves as wealthy, while Fabolous himself has no need to prove his wealth to others. He compares his sense of humor to that of comedians such as Katt Williams, Dave Chappelle and Richard Pryor who have helped him develop a lighthearted attitude towards life.
In the verses, Fabolous and Pusha T poke fun at the rappers who parade their wealth and flaunt designer jewelry that looks like it came from a joke shop. Fabolous calls out the comedy routine of other rappers, while Pusha T calls out the flaws in the morality of the drug game. He uses comedy as social commentary to highlight the irony of the situation. The lyrics overall are clever, witty and insightful, woven together with sarcasm and ridicule.
Line by Line Meaning
Make money money, make money money money, make money money, make money money money, make money Money, make money money money, make money money, make money money money you niggas got it twisted Man
The song emphasizes on making money and how people misunderstand the same concept that Fabolous is trying to convey.
I'm like ha ha ha ha ha you niggas make me laugh,
Fabolous finds it amusing how people misunderstand his message about making money.
C'mon if it don't make me math
Fabolous is trying to say that he is not interested in things that don't make him any money.
I'm like ha ha ha ha ha what u can't take a joke,
Fabolous finds it funny that people can't understand and take his humorous way of presenting the concept of making money.
Well I cant take being broke
Fabolous is emphasizing on not being broke and the importance of making money.
I'm like ha ha ha ha ha, make money money money
Fabolous is repeatedly emphasizing on making money and his humorous way of presenting the concept.
You niggas are comical, who me
Fabolous finds it amusing how people misunderstand him and his message about making money.
I'm seven digits two comical on my mama fool
Fabolous is emphasizing on how much money he makes and how funny it is to him.
Money mike, I gets money on the mic
Fabolous is emphasizing on how he makes money by rapping and his humorous way of presenting the same concept.
But I ain't gotta fucking choice
Fabolous is saying that he has no choice but to make money, and it's not something that he can compromise on.
My money talks in a Chris Tucker voice
Fabolous is humorously implying that his money talks and makes noise just like Chris Tucker's voice.
You a stand-up rapper, hip hop comedian
Fabolous is implying that some rappers only make jokes and are not serious about their lyrics or making money.
You joke, you joke, you kid, you kid
Fabolous is emphasizing that some rappers are only joking around and not serious about their music and making money.
Should have went to comedy central with the vids you did
Fabolous is implying that some rappers should have gone to Comedy Central instead of making music videos as their music is more comical than serious.
The jokes on you niggas
Pusha t is implying that people who are not making money are the ones who should be making fun of themselves, and the jokes on them.
So hilarious, how the chariots, carry us
Pusha t is implying that it's funny how luxury cars carry them around and how people misunderstand the concept of making money.
Phantom is light gray sort of like ashy Larry is
Pusha t is making a reference to a popular comedian, Ashy Larry, and how his skin color resembles the color of his car.
You just a potty mouth like Andrew dice clay
Pusha t is comparing certain rappers to a comedian known for his vulgar language.
I'm the burner packing
Fabolous is implying that he is carrying a gun for his safety and protection.
And I push up on a female smoothly, in a GL but keep that on the D.L. Hughley
Fabolous is humorously implying that he hits on women smoothly, in a luxury car, and compares his actions to a comedian known for his smooth talking, D.L. Hughley.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON CANNON, JOHN JACKSON, TERRENCE THORNTON, BO HANSSON, KENNY HAAKANSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind