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."
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Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ghetto Fab, Paul Cain, Joe Buddens
We all 'Street Dreams', at one time or another
Fast cars, cash, money, hustlin', c'mon y'all, Desert Storm
Some niggas thug and some niggas is bitch
Some niggas'll rob and some niggas'll pitch
Some niggas ain't got shit, some niggas rich
Now some niggas like to pull out and talk, some niggas pop off
Some niggas found they way to the top, some niggas got lost
Some niggas keep it thorough in jail, some niggas got soft
Some niggas ride hard top Coupe, I pull the top off
And quick to speed off on the jake
Quick to back, any nigga gettin' money, come up off of the safe
Fuck the city, I'm extortin' the state
I'm like O, from the 'Wire', walk wit a sawed-off and a .8
When I was taught, never talk wit a snake
When you kill a nigga you love, you pay for the coffin' and weight
Get you wrapped up and tossed in a lake
If you can't get the whole pie, just take ya portion and skate
Don't fuck wit niggas, if they soft or they fake
Only jail cats and niggas going back and forth
To court could relate, fuck wit me and I'ma alter ya fate
Send some wolves after ya girl
I specialize in torture and rape
We in the game most dudes ain't built for
Cain talk the type of shit, niggas get killed for
Whatever it's gon' be, let it be, I ain't waistin' a slug
And time is money and when it come to mind, take it in blood, nigga
Some niggas thug and some niggas is bitch
Some niggas rob and some niggas'll pitch
Some niggas ain't got nothin', some niggas rich
Some niggas do the time and some live as a snitch
These niggas act like, I ain't sling the clip at the last lane
And ran to the cops to bring the tips of the last names
(Nigga)
Like I ain't bring the shipments and past caine
And sticky that'll leave ya finger tips wit the grass stains
(Nigga)
Like I don't swing and zip through the fast lane
Would you believe, this ringer chipped me a fast range?
(Nigga)
Like I ain't sling on stips, till my past fame
And stacked it up, like the Pringle chips, when the cash came
(Nigga)
Like I ain't fling and dip, when the task came
I knew these niggas sing like pits, so I stash change
The singles chipped in my ass changed
But this player never pay for, them rings and whips, just to gas dance
I'm why you stay in touch wit ya writer
Even made you pick up ya pen and start clutchin' it tighter
I ain't much of a fighter but I know, everything
About rollin' up, like a Dutch in a Spyder
My dope is much more than whiter
One hit'll have the fiends yellin' out
They need crutches and lighters
The Fed's can't touch or indict us
And the hoes can't even get numbers
They wanna stay in touch, they could write us, nigga
Some niggas thug and some niggas is bitch
Some niggas rob and some niggas'll pitch
Some niggas ain't got shit, some niggas rich
Some niggas do the time and some live as a snitch
Listen, listen, I lived that life, of click-clack life
The kidnap life, the kid's that wise, I did that twice
You prolly see that through ya bitch ass eyes
Still I'm that nigga that you get at why
Man forget that they knew me, remember me thug
I'm from that same block, rips snorkle on ja dip in a Lucy
'Member they back you down, when knives was out
.45 was out, scully ya eyes come out
But now could you hear nigga all in this place
That when you see him in the streets, you gettin' all in his face
The more you give a nigga, the more that he takes and you wanna beef
Knowin' I'm slower than do so, 'cause I got much more at stake
Huh, that's why I'm ignorin' ya page
I can't respect you no more, you's a fraud and a snake
But you noticed that's the hate that I love
You see me eating off rap, that same feat you think you capable of
Don't get me worng, I would like to dead it
But you acting like, I ain't blow my show money on a rifle fetish
And my pop's voluntarily, surrendered to the Fed's
This is the wrong time to fuck wit my head
I'm tryna tell you, friends are ya worst enemies
So if I make friends wit my worst enemies
That'll maybe even things out
But one in ya dome is easy, get it on if need be
Chrome for sheezy, please, don't believe me
Some niggas thug and some niggas is bitch
Some niggas'll rob and some niggas'll pitch
Some niggas ain't got nothin', some niggas rich
Some niggas do the time and some live as a snitch, nigga
The song "Young'n" by Fabolous is a classic example of early 2000s hip-hop. The song talks about Fabolous' life as a gangsta, a rapper, and a ladies' man. He describes his life in Brooklyn and the various activities he engages in, including hustling, selling drugs, partying, and chasing girls.
In the first verse, Fabolous talks about his life as a gangsta. He mentions driving a gold two-seater with two guns hidden in the dash. He talks about how he can put holes through cars with his gun and how he strolls through Cheetahs, a famous strip club in New York. He also talks about his love for expensive champagne, especially Dom Perignon, and how he is addicted to it.
In the second verse, Fabolous talks about his life as a rapper. He mentions how he has federal agents on his trail because of his illegal activities, but he still manages to sell drugs for profit. He also talks about his fashion sense, especially his love for wearing Timberland boots and fitted caps. He mentions how he is a fan of the New York Knicks and how his name is on the lips of many girls.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the gritty and fast-paced lifestyle of a young gangsta living in Brooklyn.
Line by Line Meaning
Rollin', gold two seater
I'm driving a fancy car, a two-seater with a gold exterior
Stash in the dash hold two heaters
I have guns hidden in my car's dashboard
Blocka put holes through beaters
I'm violent and can shoot my enemies' cars
Ghetto Fab stroll through Cheetahs
I'm walking through a strip club called Cheetahs in a ghetto area
Ballin', Brooklyn don
I'm living well and represent Brooklyn
Addicted to Cris' hooked on Dom
I'm addicted to Cristal and Dom Perignon, expensive types of champagne
50 G's, hook and song
I charge $50,000 for a song I've created
Ma, I wanna see how you look in thongs
I'm objectifying and sexualizing women
Hustlin', guys that send Po's
I'm selling drugs and dealing with people who send police officers
'Cause I chop rocks the size of Mentos
I'm selling drugs in large quantities
Blame me, I charge the hen hoes
I'm in control and charging prostitutes
Look at the hurt your eyes will squint close
I'm causing pain and it's visible in someone's eyes
Pimpin' here's a new way to flirt
I'm suggesting a way for men to flirt through pimping/having prostitutes
Now listen to the two way alert
Pay attention to the alert from a two-way messaging device
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Call back to me, young one
I'm gangsta
I'm claiming to have a tough, criminal persona
Y'all just wannabe's
Others are just trying to be like me
Federal agents on their P's
The government is watching me, always prepared
30 a gram, 28 on the keys
I'm selling drugs and making a profit at every level
Got a good lawyer, I'm gonna squeeze
I have the resources to fight back legally
Thuggin', jeans and Tim's
I dress like a thug, wearing Timberland boots and jeans
Fitted to the front lean the brim
I wear my hat in a specific way
Ride but never on teenage rims
I don't have flashy wheels on my car
And I keep a chick's face between limbs
I engage in sexual activities with women
Stylin' y'all heard about my kick game
People know me for my personal style and shoes
I'm on the parquet, you see me at the Knick game
I'm at the basketball game, probably courtside
Probably seen this tatted on your chick frame
I have tattoos on women's bodies
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S
My name is spelled F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S
Ridin' y'all know as well I do
You know how well I'm doing and how I'm getting around
That's the way you can tell I flew
My wealth indicates that I've achieved success or flown on planes
So I got a deal, I sell pies too
I have a recording contract and sell drugs
'Cause before I hit the pens I'm gettin' bailed by Clue
Before I go to jail, I'm getting money from DJ Clue
Cruisin', top on the 'Cedes low
I'm driving around in a Mercedes with the top down
Turn us up when you hear this on the radio
Make the volume loud when you hear my song
Blastin' with the nineteen eighty flow
I'm using a flow in my song that's reminiscent of the 1980s
Make the necks on the ladies go
My music gets women's attention and makes them move their heads
Y'all throwin' on them gritty mugs for who?
Why are you trying to be tough and serious?
Like y'all don't know what fifty slugs will do
Don't act oblivious to the fact that I am violent and dangerous
Hatin' I just bought the Uz'
I just bought a gun and people are jealous
I put y'all in them front page articles
I'm a newsworthy and attention-grabbing figure
I got 'em lookin' at the Billboard charts confused
My success is confusing and unexpected
And I still freestyle to start the Clue's
I'm able to freestyle and perform on DJ Clue's radio show
Reppin' I'm that kid who 'bout the dough
I'm representing myself as someone who's all about making money
I done copped coke and started droughts before
I've sold cocaine and caused drug shortages in the past
Shit platinum out the door
My music sells incredibly well
Now I drop the top down just to shout to hoes
I'm lowering the roof of my car so I can shout to women
Uh
An exclamation with no specific meaning
Yeah
An affirmative or confirming word
Yeah
An affirmative or confirming word
(Wooo-wooo)
A sound effect that repeats throughout the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joseph Anthony Budden, Kenneth Ifill, Ernesto David Jr. Shaw, Paul M. Cain, John David Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind