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 personβ¦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."
Louis Vuitton
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pops never let her outside
Nigga knew the type of shit she was up against
Little did he know the shit was gon backfire
Cause she act quiet, got baptized
Sang in the choir, but the thing she desired
Was a older nigga to show her how to be a freak
The young girl's in heat, it's deep
On the streets at night when the freaks is out
Butterfly tat on her back that she tried to hide
Until her father found her secret out
Now he flipping out, he kicked her out
She living on her own and it's vicious out
Years go by, now I got her in my room
And I'm thinking of the best way to kick her out, it's Cole
'Cause all she ever talks about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
I said Louis, Louis, all she ever talk about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
I told the bitch somebody stole my Rollie
She talking about "me too"
I came through with the brand new Louis bag
She talking about "me too"
LA on my next flight, you guessed right
She saying "Me too"
Now everybody meet Miss me too
Goddamn, be you
And if that is you, you so shallow
You're on a boat that won't travel
Won't float and won't paddle
If I go broke, it won't matter
This stupid ass shit don't make me
I been poor, it won't break me
You're so caught up on material shit
We both knowing that you can't even get I mean
Louis, Louis all she ever talks about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
I said Louis, Louis, all she ever talk about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
She was standing at the baggage claim
First thought gotta bag this dame
Not knowing she was one of them
Check-what-your-baggage-name types
Anyway, I'm happy that it came off the belt
Damier joint same as the belt
She look like she came on herself
Shawty, you should be ashamed of yourself
I'm checking out her cute face
Thin little waist line
She checking out my suitcase
Like the bitch half canine
Could've took her number
That'd be like taking bad advice
When you look at her, you're looking at a price
As I walked away, she said "That's a nice"
Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
I mean Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
You know the ones that'll order the lobster, go for the champagne
Don't care what you do, but you better do the damn thing
If you wanna win the campaign
'Cause her company just ain't cheap
What y'all probably ain't peep
You can't keep a shallow bitch if your pockets ain't deep
So I try to be slick, ain't reserve no dinner
Ain't take her to the club, had her meet me at the bar
Let her walk in, peep her from afar
Gotta let her know, can't keep her in the dark
Cause she will run the tab up if you let her
And I thought I knew better
'Til she say "Let me start with a double shot
Hey, bartender, let me get a"
Louis, Louis all she ever talks about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more
I mean Louis, Louis, all she ever talk about is Louis, Louis
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more ayo ayo
The lyrics of Fabolous Feat. J. Cole's song "Louis Vuitton" tell a story of a young woman who was sheltered by her father from the dangerous streets of the south side of the hood but eventually rebelled against his strict rules. She started sneaking out at night and got involved with older men who exposed her to a lifestyle she never experienced before. Despite being a church-going, choir-singing girl, she wanted to learn how to be a freak, which led her to living on her own after her father kicked her out. Fast forward years later, Fabolous now has her in his room pondering the best way to let her go because all she ever talks about is Louis Vuitton, indicating that she is superficial and materialistic. The song highlights the negative effects of materialism, with both Fabolous and J. Cole concluding that they cannot deal with her anymore.
Throughout the song, the lyrics make several references to the luxury brand, Louis Vuitton, which acts as a symbol for the singer's obsession with materialism. Additionally, J. Cole's verse warns about the dangers of chasing material possessions, especially when one cannot afford them, as keeping up with a shallow woman like that requires deep pockets. The song uses the name "Louis" as a homophone for "Lose," underscoring how much the main character is losing out on in life by being superficial and emphasizing the importance of valuing substance over material things.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a young chick from the hood, south side
The singer has a girlfriend from a poor neighborhood
Pops never let her outside
Her father was overprotective of her
Nigga knew the type of shit she was up against
Her father knew the tough environment she lived in
Little did he know the shit was gon backfire
He underestimated her rebellious nature
Cause she act quiet, got baptized
She seemed docile and religious
Sang in the choir, but the thing she desired
She appeared wholesome, but she craved something more
Was a older nigga to show her how to be a freak
She wanted an older man to introduce her to sexual experimentation
The young girl's in heat, it's deep
She's highly aroused and eager to explore her sexuality
She sneaking out, off the leash
She defies her father's rules by going out without permission
On the streets at night when the freaks is out
She ventures into dangerous areas where unsavory people hang out
Butterfly tat on her back that she tried to hide
She got a tattoo that she didn't want her father to see
Until her father found her secret out
Her father eventually discovered her rebellious activities
Now he flipping out, he kicked her out
Her father becomes angry and disowns her
She living on her own and it's vicious out
She's now on her own and struggling to survive in a harsh environment
Years go by, now I got her in my room
The singer eventually meets the girl, now grown up
And I'm thinking of the best way to kick her out
The artist is contemplating ending the relationship
'Cause all she ever talks about is Louis, Louis
She's obsessed with luxury brands, especially Louis Vuitton
All she ever talk about is Louis Vuitton
She only talks about LV products
And nigga, I can't fuck with her no more
The singer can't tolerate her shallow obsession anymore
I told the bitch somebody stole my Rollie
The artist lies to his girlfriend about a stolen watch
She talking about "me too"
She pretends to have had a similar experience
I came through with the brand new Louis bag
The artist buys her a new LV bag
She talking about "me too"
She reacts excitedly
LA on my next flight, you guessed right
The artist is heading to LA next
She saying "Me too"
She wants to come along
Now everybody meet Miss. Me Too
The girlfriend is eager to impress others with her new bag
Goddamn, be you
The singer is annoyed by her fakeness
And if that is you, you so shallow
He thinks she's overly materialistic and superficial
You're on a boat that won't travel
Her mindset prevents her from growing and evolving
Won't float and won't paddle
She won't be able to navigate life's challenges
If I go broke, it won't matter
The singer won't be affected by her shallow values
This stupid ass shit don't make me
The artist is not impressed by her obsession with LV
I been poor, it won't break me
The artist has dealt with hardship and won't be deterred by temporary setbacks
You're so caught up on material shit
The artist thinks she's overly fixated on material possessions
We both knowing that you can't even get
He suggests that she can't afford LV products on her own
She was standing at the baggage claim
The girlfriend is waiting for her luggage at the airport
First thought: Gotta bag this dame
The singer is attracted to her and wants to pursue her
Not knowing she was one of them
He doesn't realize that she's a materialistic person
Check-what-your-baggage-name types
She's the type of person who flaunts her luxury items
Anyway, I'm happy that it came off the belt
The artist is relieved that his luggage arrived safely
Damier joint same as the belt
He's proud of his matching Louis Vuitton luggage and belt
She look like she came on herself
The singer thinks she's overly excited by his luggage
Shawty, you should be ashamed of yourself
He's embarrassed by her behavior
I'm checking out her cute face
The artist is physically attracted to her
Thin little waist line
He admires her figure
She checking out my suitcase
She's impressed by his luggage
Like the bitch half canine
The singer thinks she's like a dog, easily distracted by shiny objects
Could've took her number
The artist could have asked for her phone number
That'd be like taking bad advice
He realizes that pursuing her would have been a mistake
When you look at her, you're looking at a price
The girlfriend represents a costly investment
As I walked away, she said "That's a nice..."
She's interrupted before she can finish complimenting his luggage
You know the ones that'll order the lobster, go for the champagne
The artist describes a certain type of woman who likes expensive things
Don't care what you do, but you better do the damn thing
She expects him to spend lavishly on her
If you wanna win the campaign
He needs to impress her if he wants her to be his partner
Cause her company just ain't cheap
She's expensive to be around
What y'all probably ain't peep
What people haven't noticed
You can't keep a shallow bitch if your pockets ain't deep
Materialistic women won't stick around if you're not wealthy
So I try to be slick, ain't reserve no dinner
He tries to avoid spending money on her by not reserving a dinner table
Ain't take you to the club, had her meet me at the bar
He tries to avoid going out by having her meet him at a bar
Let her walk in, peep her from afar
He's watching her from a distance
Gotta let her know, can't keep her in the dark
He needs to communicate his intentions clearly
Cause she will run the tab up if you let her
She will spend a lot of money if he allows her to
And I thought I knew better
The singer thinks he's learned from his past mistakes with women
'Til she say "Let me start with a double shot
She asks for alcohol, indicating that she is not easy to please
Hey, bartender, let me get a..."
She's about to order an expensive drink
Lyrics Β© Create Music Publishing
Written by: John Jackson, Jermaine Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Njay 97
10 years on and soul tape 2 still one of the best mixtapes
Daisy Perez
Sameeeeeee
Johna Davis
Besssssst π₯
Babajide Faseyi
A lesson in musical rap form from 2 of the very best classic creators in the royal and dignified art craft of Hip-Hop. This song SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. I canβt even compliment, the PERFECTION here speaks for itself. π π.
Sean Brown
Miss the mixtape era, fab gave us some real classics with these tapes.
Armando Garcia
It would be cool if these were on Apple Music
A M
@Armando Garcia datpiff got all them bro free download too
Jessica Lewis
Canβt believe itβs been almost 8 years when this dropped ... I remember bumping tf outta this when it released and here we are still banging this mf ! Losoβs Soul Tape series are by are on of the greats π―π―π―
JP
Shouldβve listened before I took girl who is just a friend to a boujie steakhouse. Lnaoooo
James Reyes
5 years later I'm still vibin' to this song and still putting people on this song.