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."
Lullaby
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la
Let's go
Because these hundred dollar bills are like baller I-D
And I get under niggas skin
They should call me I-V
But if you try me nigga
I will be your caller I-D
And that means I got your number
Please don't make me dial it
That could land your fly ass on the ground just like a pilot
So just do me a solid
Y'all stay in pocket like wallets
'cause you can't see me
Close eye-lids
Huh, nitey night
I'm with a model chick
Tyra thick, Heidi's height
Body suits, body tight
Yeah, I clean up nice
Catch me on a tidy night
Might be Gucci'd down to the tidy whites
OK it's loso,
Everybody knows so
My son is the heir to the thrown
Prince Joso
So daddy need money
Mummy need new truies
Baby needs new shoes
Preferably the new Louis
The swaggers in his jeans
He was born fly
Them Philly bitches say the ball keep his jaunt fly
Then Reggie Kush shot us up in Californi
La la la la la la la
Sing them a lullaby
Sing them a lullaby
Sing them a lullaby
Sing them a lullaby
Rock a by baby
Rock a by baby
Rock a by baby
Rock a by baby
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
Hush little lame niggas don't say a word
Y'all don't know the half, not even a third
Put a dick in your ear and fuck what you heard
She tried to pull my fly south
I ain't want the bird
Because I been killin' these hoes
These niggas just drop dead
In the drop head
All we do is bop heads
To the side,
Like busta in the Pepsi add
With my Columbiana mamma
Yep she bad (she bad)
She in the latest shoe that Giuseppe had
Blow game like the late dizzy Gillespie had
That's some good jaw
Pop quiz
Good score
She call her pussy Medellin
That good raw
For you little cheap fucks
Hood whores
You niggas soft in the middle
Call them hood smalls
Everybody on the block going cuckoo
Phantom doors open like the clock that goes cuckoo
Birds poppin' out
Sittin' on the hood
Check my bird droppings out
I'm shittin' on the hood
Sleepin' time, niggas
The hand that rocks the cradle for you nursery rhyme niggas
Its bed time
Nice
La la la,
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la
La
La
La
Sing 'em a lullaby
Sing 'em a lullaby
Sing 'em a lullaby
Sing 'em a lullaby (la la la)
Rock a by baby
Rock a by baby
Rock a by baby
Rock a by baby
In Fabolous's "Lullaby," he delivers some braggadocious bars over an up-tempo beat. The song begins with "Street fi di di di di damn" followed by "La la la." These are ad libs that Fabolous uses to introduce himself and set the tone for the track. He then goes on to proclaim that he doesn't need to identify himself because his hundred dollar bills serve as his identification. He continues with a series of clever wordplays, such as "call me I-V" for how he gets under people's skin and "caller I-D" for how he can expose someone's identity. Throughout the song, he flexes his wealth and status as a successful rapper while also making references to the women he dates.
The chorus of the song is built around the nursery rhyme lullaby "Rock-a-bye Baby," which Fabolous interpolates with his own ad-libs and additional lyrics. He takes on a paternal tone as he tells "lame niggas" to hush and not say a word, implying that he is the one in control. He also calls out those who spread false rumors and tries to distance himself from them. The song ends with a series of "La la la"s as Fabolous continues to harmonize with the "Rock-a-bye Baby" melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Street fi di di di di damn
Opening phrase, doesn’t have any immediate meaning.
And I ain't gotta tell y'all who I be
I’m well known, I don’t need to introduce myself.
Because these hundred dollar bills are like baller I-D
My money is enough for anyone to recognize me.
And I get under niggas skin
I have a knack for getting on people’s nerves.
They should call me I-V
Irritating people is almost like providing them with medical treatments.
But if you try me nigga
If you ever try to cross me.
I will be your caller I-D
I’ll make sure I know your every move.
And that means I got your number
I’ve figured out your weaknesses and limitations.
Please don't make me dial it
Don’t force me to use my power against you.
That could land your fly ass on the ground just like a pilot
I could bring you down so hard your ass hits the ground like an airplane crash.
So just do me a solid
Do me a favor.
Y'all stay in pocket like wallets
Stay within your means and don’t get too big for your britches.
'cause you can't see me
You’re not on my level and can’t compete.
Close eye-lids
Go to sleep and give up.
Huh, nitey night
Goodnight.
I'm with a model chick
I’m hanging out with a beautiful, fashion model type of woman.
Tyra thick, Heidi's height
She’s got a full curvy body and is tall like Heidi Klum.
Body suits, body tight
She’s wearing tight-fitting clothing showing off her body.
Yeah, I clean up nice
I look good and clean up well.
Catch me on a tidy night
You’d find me looking neat and sharp on a night out.
Might be Gucci'd down to the tidy whites
I might even have the most expensive and stylish underwear on.
OK it's loso,
Okay, it’s Loso (Fabolous’s nickname).
Everybody knows so
Everyone is aware of who I am.
My son is the heir to the thrown
My son is the rightful inheritor of my wealth and status.
Prince Joso
His name is Prince Joso.
So daddy needs money
I need to keep earning money to finance my lifestyle.
Mummy needs new truies
My baby mama wants new lingerie.
Baby needs new shoes
My baby needs a new pair of shoes.
Preferably the new Louis
I’d prefer if they were made by Louis Vuitton.
Hush little lame niggas don't say a word
Stay quiet, unknown people.
Y'all don't know the half, not even a third
You don’t know about what I’ve been through, not even a fraction.
Put a dick in your ear and fuck what you heard
Don’t listen to rumors and gossip, it won’t do you any good.
She tried to pull my fly south
A woman tried to get my attention sexually.
I ain't want the bird
I’m not interested in her advances.
Because I been killin' these hoes
I’m good at rejecting women’s offers.
These niggas just drop dead
I make my opponent’s fall apart with ease.
In the drop head
Inside my convertible car.
All we do is bop heads
We just nod to the beat of the music.
To the side,
We’re bouncing our heads to the beat in a particular motion.
Like busta in the Pepsi add
Like Busta Rhymes in the old Pepsi commercial.
With my Columbiana mamma
My girlfriend or friend from Colombia.
Yep she bad (she bad)
She’s a beautiful woman.
She in the latest shoe that Giuseppe had
She’s wearing the latest and greatest shoes from Giuseppe Zanotti.
Blow game like the late dizzy Gillespie had
I’m skilled at oral sex like the late musician Dizzy Gillespie was a master at playing the trumpet.
That's some good jaw
She’s really good at oral sex.
Pop quiz
Let me ask you a question.
Good score
You got the right answer.
She calls her pussy Medellin
She refers to her vagina as Medellin, a city in Colombia.
That good raw
That’s some good stuff or sex.
For you little cheap fucks
For all you low-class losers.
Hood whores
Prostitutes or easily available women that frequent the hood.
You niggas soft in the middle
You guys are weak and lack toughness.
Call them hood smalls
You’re small fry for the hood area.
Everybody on the block going cuckoo
Everybody is going crazy or wild in the neighborhood.
Phantom doors open like the clock that goes cuckoo
The doors of my luxury Phantom car open in a dramatic way, like a cuckoo clock.
Birds poppin' out
Young ladies suddenly appearing to get a better look at me or make themselves known.
Sittin' on the hood
They’re perched on my car hood.
Check my bird droppings out
Look at how many women are attracted to me.
I'm shittin' on the hood
I’m the most popular and powerful guy around here.
Sleepin' time, niggas
It’s time for you all to go to sleep.
The hand that rocks the cradle for you nursery rhyme niggas
I’m the one who dominates and provides for you nonproducers.
Its bed time
It’s time to go to bed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network
Written by: Alan Maman, John Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind