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."
Keepin It Gangsta
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, I don't care what y'all do, how y'all do
Where y'all do it, just keep it gangsta
Look at them gangstas
Fab's livin' la vida loca
Only nigga in the hood you can come see for either weed or coca
Nark's want to see me and my team in a chair
DEA been lookin' for proof since 9-3
When I came through in the Benz with the roof behind me
Tell them jake's through on bullet proof's and find me
You need extingwishers to go in the booth behind me
Who the fuck want to beef
My Fendi knits be [Repeat: x3]
So you can't see what's tucked underneath
And I might not even drop
Just take my advance and make a small town in Cleveland pop
"Vivrant Thing" on my hip, that will make you "Breathe and Stop"
Rock ya chain in ya shirt, Your roll (Rollie) with the sleeve on top
You niggas know where my heat stay at
I leave niggas MIA and I ain't talking where the Heat play at
C'mon
[Chorus:]
Y'all know who
Keepin' it Gangsta
We come through
Keepin' it Gangsta
Y'all know how we do
Keepin' it Gangsta
My whole crew
Keepin' it Gangsta
Niggas don't think I'm still shaving crack
Cause I pull up in a truck with a system that make the pavement crack
Baugettes have my face and beard covered
And I keep a Leathal Weapon like Mel Gibson and Dan Glover
Now I lose V Money and see Lo
And the cops think me and Muggs is G Money and Nino
I don't hit these honey's with see-Notes
Rather put them on Greyhound, Strap these honey's with kilo's
Type of gangsta every chick wants
I get Nike's from Aster you won't see hit the store for 6 months
Something bout the Beamer [Repeat: x5]
When I come through it be increasing a skeo's sex drive
Half the click look like they stuck Genisis up
The other half is tryin to wrap they sentences up
I'm never gone hate, Half these artists never slum weight
When they call NY, its the only time they touch the 7-1-8
[Chorus]
I lay low on the other side of the globe
Carat's hanging out the side of my lobe
Pull in ya drivers side and unload
They find ya when its time for your ride to be towed
On side of the road
With ya brain on ya passenger side of ya Rove (Rover)
Y'all niggas ain't gangstas til' y'all riding
And Fed's tell ya hit a chick once and she running back like Fred Taylor
I'm snatching everything in the PJ's now
That's why most these niggas is workin' with the DA's now
If I'm in a hoop ride or a buggy coupe 5
Keepin' it Gangsta
If I'm with a hoochie freak or a dime in Gucci sneaks
Keepin' it Gangsta
If I'm probally in the hood or I'm in Hollywood
Keepin' it Gangsta
If I spit 16 on a track or 16 from a gat
Keepin' it Gangsta
[Chorus]
Fabolous’ “Keepin’ it Gangsta” is a catchy song filled with lyrics depicting the hip-hop music industry and the street life. Fabolous talks about his life as a gangster and drug dealer. He boasts about having everything from money to women, drugs, and cars. Throughout the song, he asserts his identity as a gangster and encourages others to do the same. His lyrics mention his high beams, bulletproof vest, and Leathal Weapon like Mel Gibson and Dan Glover to indicate his readiness for any issues at any time. Fabolous refers to himself as the “only nigga in the hood you can come see for either weed or coca.” He portrays himself as a notorious drug dealer that is never caught by the police, and his fans love it. Fabolous’s goal is to keep everything 'gangsta' and to encourage others to do the same.
The song’s title, “Keepin’ it Gangsta” is a phrase that has now become part of popular culture. The phrase is used when someone is trying to act tough, or when someone is trying to do something that is considered cool. The song’s chorus encourages listeners to keep things ‘gangsta’ and to live a life like a gangster, regardless of their background. The song itself is an amalgamation of different musical genres, including hip-hop and rap, and it features an infectious beat that gets the listeners’ feet tapping.
Line by Line Meaning
Fabolous, yeah, uh-huh, uh-huh, Yeah
Fabolous preps to rap with these introductory sounds
Yo, I don't care what y'all do, how y'all do
Fabolous isn't concerned about the method of operation of others
Where y'all do it, just keep it gangsta
Nevertheless, he expects gangsta status to be maintained
Look at them gangstas
The image of what Fabolous deems gangster is explicitly presented
Fab's livin' la vida loca
He's living a fun, yet dangerous lifestyle
Only nigga in the hood you can come see for either weed or coca
He's the sole supplier for cannabis or cocaine in his area
Nark's want to see me and my team in a chair
The police would like to see Fabolous and his team in prison
They heard about the kid with the high beams in his ear
Fabolous is well-known, even by law enforcement
DEA been lookin' for proof since 9-3
The DEA has been trying to catch Fabolous since 1993
When I came through in the Benz with the roof behind me
Police found evidence of his crimes when he arrived in a Benz with a sunroof behind him
Tell them jake's through on bullet proof's and find me
He'll be so protected that even the police with bulletproof vests won't be able to catch him
You need extingwishers to go in the booth behind me
He's so hot, the booth behind him needs fire extinguishers to cool down
Who the fuck want to beef
Who would dare to start a fight with Fabolous?
My Fendi knits be (Repeat: x3)
His clothing has hidden guns so his enemies won't see them
So you can't see what's tucked underneath
It's there, but not visible
And I might not even drop
He may not even release a new album
Just take my advance and make a small town in Cleveland pop
He could just take money from a record company to make a town in Cleveland more famous
"Vivrant Thing" on my hip, that will make you "Breathe and Stop"
If Fabolous pulls out his gun, it'll take your breath away
Rock ya chain in ya shirt, Your roll (Rollie) with the sleeve on top
Wear your necklace underneath your shirt, with your wristwatch on top of your shirt sleeve
You niggas know where my heat stay at
Everyone knows where Fabolous keeps his guns
I leave niggas MIA and I ain't talking where the Heat play at
He makes people disappear just like the Miami Heat basketball team
I'm still shaving crack
Fabolous is still selling cocaine
Cause I pull up in a truck with a system that make the pavement crack
Fabolous drives a vehicle with a sound system so loud it shakes the ground
Baugettes have my face and beard covered
His jewelry is so extensive it hides his face and beard
And I keep a Leathal Weapon like Mel Gibson and Dan Glover
Fabolous always carries a deadly weapon like the characters in the movie Lethal Weapon
Now I lose V Money and see Lo
He lost some people close to him, V Money and See Lo
And the cops think me and Muggs is G Money and Nino
The police confuse Fabolous and Muggs for characters from the movie New Jack City
I don't hit these honey's with see-Notes
He doesn't pay women with money he earned from selling drugs
Rather put them on Greyhound, Strap these honey's with kilo's
He'd rather send them on a Greyhound bus with drugs attached to them
Type of gangsta every chick wants
He's the kind of gangster that women are attracted to
I get Nike's from Aster you won't see hit the store for 6 months
He gets exclusive Nike shoes before they're available in stores
Something bout the Beamer (Repeat: x5)
Fabolous likes the way his BMW looks
When I come through it be increasing a skeo's sex drive
His appearance makes women even more aroused
Half the click look like they stuck Genisis up
Some of his crew looks like they just robbed a jewelry store called Genesis
The other half is tryin to wrap they sentences up
The other half is trying to finish their rap verses
I'm never gone hate, Half these artists never slum weight
He doesn't hate on other rappers, but thinks some of them haven't experienced a rough upbringing
When they call NY, its the only time they touch the 7-1-8
When they call New York, it's the only time they touch another area code (718)
I lay low on the other side of the globe
He hides in other countries
Carat's hanging out the side of my lobe
His earrings are expensive and large
Pull in ya drivers side and unload
He'll shoot the driver's side of your car
They find ya when its time for your ride to be towed
Your dead body will be discovered when your car is being towed
On side of the road
The location of the dead body's discovery
With ya brain on ya passenger side of ya Rove (Rover)
The body and brain will be in the passenger side of the car while it's being towed
Y'all niggas ain't gangstas til' y'all riding
You're not a gangster until you have wealth and a fancy car
And Fed's tell ya hit a chick once and she running back like Fred Taylor
If the Feds tell you to order a hit on a woman, she'll run back like a football player
I'm snatching everything in the PJ's now
He's stealing from people in the public housing projects
That's why most these niggas is workin' with the DA's now
Other people are working with the police now because of him
If I'm in a hoop ride or a buggy coupe 5
It doesn't matter if he's in a regular car or a fancy convertible
If I'm with a hoochie freak or a dime in Gucci sneaks
It doesn't matter if he's with a promiscuous woman or a gorgeous one who's wearing expensive shoes
If I'm probally in the hood or I'm in Hollywood
It doesn't matter if he's in the ghetto or in Hollywood
If I spit 16 on a track or 16 from a gat
It doesn't matter if he's rapping or shooting a gun
Keepin' it Gangsta
He'll always maintain gangster status
Y'all know who
Everyone knows who Fabolous is
We come through
He and his crew will show up
Y'all know how we do
Everyone knows their typical behavior
My whole crew
His entire posse
Keepin' it Gangsta
They'll all maintain gangster status
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: ERNESTO SHAW, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, KEN IFILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HugeGamma
I hope kids these days get a chance to hear this forgotten classic! bass line goes HARD AF
@Reaper-qo8tn
We did get the chance, midnight club 3. Next killer hip-hop artist on the rise bringing back fabulous styles
@adodel517
We got it
@fskash7821
Fax
@viscountslappy5085
If only there were a website with every music video and song ever made, right there in a searchable format...
@smeagle3295
The bass line is the best part. The rest of this song hasn’t aged quite as well though. 💯
@hennylo68
Fab is hella underrated, he doesn't get the respect he deserves as a top notch lyricist. Dude is one of the best pure lyricists ever.
@Stylezzz101
can we get a FABOULOUS VERZUZ please !?
@fatethaghost1878
For sure
@c.jgrims5521
Now I have to go back to immortal technique and shit.