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."
Po Po
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh officer is there a problem man what's going on?
Yeah, I had a report of a UFO
What's that?
An unidentified Ferrari looking object flying by me on the highway
You know how fast you were going?
Nah not at all man
You must have been going pretty damn fast because my radar is over there smoking buddy
I heard about you in the paper, I know you got the toaster strudel
Yeah I need some backup over here I've got two rap singers
I wonder briefly
Could it be it's no roof above me
Or the 22's underneath me
That's keeping them sirens flashing on my ass
Should I get to pumping the brakes or mashing on the gas?
I'm naturally harassed
And I feel like I'm getting punked, but I don't see Ashton in the grass
Nor is there a camera stashed into the dash
It's a guy in uniform and a passion that he has
For flashing wit his badge
And shining light in my face
Plus he keep his right hand right by his waist
The wrong move will get a gun right in my face
And then fighting for my life, I'm fighting the case
And I ain't trying to be the story they twist in the press
Like "the young man resisted arrest"
Then he started reaching for something that looks like a pistol I guess
So I pulled on a nigga I mean I pulled on the trigger figures
I go around the corner what do I see?
Po Po's following me
Asking for my ID who's car I'm driving
Po Po's bothering me
Got me in a lineup, got my hands in cuffs
They don't want to set me free
Trying to bring me down, when they come around
Po Po's fucking with me
Awe shit the jakes are fucking with me again
They hate to see me rich, they'd rather see me stuck in the pen
Every time they walk or pull up beside me
Flash lights in my face asking for my registration and ID
I don't know the reason for the harassment
And the questions they asking
Or the ice grills they get when I'm passing
Or maybe its my fault
Cause I be out all times at night
Doing shit I know I shouldn't plus I don't be ridin right
Smokin' lye, no stash box for me to put the skit
Two warrants, no license and I ain't got insurance yet
I keep a hammer close because foes want to stick me up
But keep my movement swift because Po's want to frisk me up
Since '94 I've been told I fit the descriptions
And in 10 years not once did they get a conviction
These pigs shouldn't provoke a rider
I'm so tired, they got one more time to fuck wit me before I open fire
Ones for the money and twos for the show
Three must be for the motherfucking po po'
I've seen ghetto kings fall to the floor
Cause they can't see ask Amadou Diallo
Still some of y'all creepin with the Po Po's
Sleepin wit the Po Po's
Some of y'all walking wit the Po Po's
I ain't fuckin with the Po Po's
Bitch
They gon' have to put my back on the cement
Before I'm in the back with my knee bent
On my way back to the precinct
I'm back in the G-bent
Black wit the pre-tint
Vanilla aroma to cover the backwood and tree scent
The way I ride I know I'm in for a case
But the coupe do 200 so they in for a chase
When it comes to lawyers I got the man Puff uses
That's why you never seen my wrists with handcuff bruises
I got them hollow tips, to stick up in the AR's
Detectors in the dash, to pick up on the radar
Stash box in it when I purchased the vehicle
So I don't have a problem wit you searching the vehicle
They probably want to scoop an arrest
I try to throw shots but its cool, I got a coupe like a vest
And 'em troopers will just feel stupid I guess
The slugs will bounce off like they hitting superman's chest, nigga
I go around the corner what do I see?
Po Po's following me
Asking for my ID who's car I'm driving
Po Po's bothering me
Got me in a lineup, got my hands in cuffs
They don't want to set me free
Trying to bring me down, when they come around
Po Po's fucking with me
Shit man a nigga ain't even do shit awe shit here comes this dude right now
Alright buddy unfortunately you came back straight, you and your buddy
Scain Scholar get the fuck outta here I don't want to see you guys around here again alright
Look take it from Larry lock the rapper, get the fuck outta here
I don't want to see you around here again and by the way
I need an autograph for my kids they love you eh?
Fabolous's song "Po Po" delves into the issue of racial profiling that is a pressing concern in the United States. The song starts with a dialogue between Fabolous and a police officer who pulls him over under the pretext of a report of a UFO. The conversation quickly devolves into a tense confrontation as the officer accuses Fabolous of speeding, and the latter denies it. Fabolous then introspects about his situation, wondering if it is his Ferrari or his 22-inch rims that are attracting the attention of the police. He feels harassed and wonders if he should stop the car or give chase, aware that either decision can be dangerous. He thinks about the consequences of any move he makes, especially because he knows that a false step can lead to being shot and framed as a "resisting arrest" or "threatening the police" case.
The chorus sung by Nate Dogg echoes these concerns and fears, noting how the police can, at any moment, follow and stop people, ask for ID, put them in cuffs, and accuse them of wrongdoing. Cain's verse follows, offering another perspective on the theme of the song. Cain laments being targeted by the police despite being rich, arguing that the police would instead like to see him "stuck in the pen." He wonders why he is stopped for having two warrants or no license, and there is a continuous cycle of harassment that he experiences every time he is on the road. He concludes that he keeps himself armed not only because of his enemies but also to fend off the police's advances. The song ends with the police letting Fabolous and Cain go, asking for autographs, implying a tension between the celebrities and the police.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright there ah buddy license and registration
The cop begins the conversation by asking Fabolous and his friend for their license and registration.
Uh officer is there a problem man what's going on?
Fabolous asks the cop if there is an issue.
(Yeah, I had a report of a UFO
The Cop jests by saying that he saw an unidentified Ferrari looking object (UFO), insinuating that it was Fabolous' car.
What's that?
Fabolous responds to the Cop's joke and asks him to clarify.
(An unidentified Ferrari looking object flying by me on the highway
The Cop continues the joke and explains that he thinks that Fabolous' car is the UFO that he saw on the highway.
You know how fast you were going?)
The Cop asks Fabolous if he knows how fast he was going.
Nah not at all man
Fabolous tells the Cop that he doesn't know how fast he was going.
(you must have been going pretty damn fast because my radar is over there smoking buddy
The Cop implies that Fabolous was going very fast as his radar gun is smoking.
Keep your hands where I can fucking see 'em too
The Cop demands that Fabolous keep his hands visible.
I heard about you in the paper, I know you got the toaster strudel
The Cop tells Fabolous that he has read about him in the newspaper and knows that he has a gun (toaster strudel).
Yeah I need some backup over here I've got two rap singers)
The Cop calls for backup and tells Fabolous that he and his friend are just two rap singers.
I wonder briefly
Could it be there's no roof above me
Or the 22's underneath me
That's keeping them sirens flashing on my ass
Should I get to pumping the brakes or mashing on the gas?
Fabolous wonders if he is being chased because of his nice car (no roof above me) or his flashy rims (the 22's underneath me) and debates whether he should brake or accelerate to get away from the cops.
I'm naturally harassed
And I feel like I'm getting punked, but I don't see Ashton in the grass
Nor is there a camera stashed into the dash
It's a guy in a uniform and a passion that he has
Fabolous feels like he is being bullied (naturally harassed) and references Ashton Kutcher's prank show Punk'd to explain why he feels like he is getting punked. However, he realizes that there is no hidden camera and it's just a cop trying to do his job (a guy in a uniform and a passion that he has).
For flashing wit his badge
And shining light in my face
Plus he keep his right hand right by his waist
The wrong move will get a gun right in my face
Fabolous comments on the cop's demeanor and explains that he is shining a light in his face and has his hand on his holster, which can be perceived as a threat. He realizes that if he makes the wrong move, the cop may pull out his gun.
And they fighting for my life, I'm fighting the case
And I ain't trying to be the story they twist in the press
Like: the young man resisted arrest
Then he started reaching for something that looks like a pistol I guess
So I pulled on a nigga I mean I pulled on the trigger...figures
Fabolous understands that the cop is just doing his job and wants to make it out of this situation alive (they fighting for my life). He doesn't want to be another story of police brutality in the press and imagines what would happen if he reached for something in his car that looks like a weapon. He knows that the cop would be forced to shoot him, which is why he is cooperating with the police.
I go around the corner what do I see?
Po Po's following me
Asking for my ID who's car I'm driving
Po Po's bothering me
Got me in a lineup, got my hands in cuffs
They don't want to set me free
Trying to bring me down, when they come around
Po Po's fucking with me
The chorus, sung by Nate Dogg, summarizes Fabolous' experience with the cops. He is constantly being harassed (Po Po's bothering me) and being detained without evidence (got me in a lineup, got my hands in cuffs). He feels like the police are targeting him and trying to bring him down (trying to bring me down) without just cause.
Awe shit the jakes are fucking with me again
They hate to see me rich, they'd rather see me stuck in the pen
Every time they walk or pull up beside me
Flash lights in my face asking for my registration and ID
In the second verse, Cain, another rapper, shares his experience with the police. He feels like they are targeting him because he's successful (They hate to see me rich), and he is constantly being stopped and asked for identification (Flash lights in my face asking for my registration and ID). He believes the police would rather see him in jail (they'd rather see me stuck in the pen) than succeed.
I don't know the reason for the harassment
And the questions they asking
Or the ice grills they get when I'm passing
Or maybe its my fault
Cause I be out all times at night
Doing shit I know I shouldn't plus I don't be ridin right
Cain questions why he is being harassed and stopped by the police. He doesn't know if it's because of his car (ice grills they get when I'm passing) or his behavior (doing shit I know I shouldn't). He realizes that he's partly to blame and doesn't always drive responsibly (don't be ridin right).
Smokin' lye, no stash box for me to put the skit
Two warrants, no license and I ain't got insurance yet
I keep a hammer close because foes want to stick me up
But keep my movement swift because Po's want to frisk me up
Cain admits that he's not always on his best behavior and is often breaking the law (smokin' lye, two warrants, no license and I ain't got insurance yet). He feels like he always has to be on high alert because he has enemies that want to rob him (keep a hammer close because foes want to stick me up) and police officers that want to search him (keep my movement swift because Po's want to frisk me up).
Since '94 I've been told on by 50 descriptions
And in 10 years not once did they get a conviction
Cain implies that he's been targeted by the police since 1994 (since '94 I've been told on by 50 descriptions). However, he's never been convicted of a crime, which suggests that the police are targeting him without evidence or just cause.
These pigs shouldn't provoke a rider
I'm so tired, they got one more time to fuck wit me before I open fire
Cain is fed up with the police and warns them not to push him too far (These pigs shouldn't provoke a rider). He's had enough and is willing to use force (before I open fire) to protect himself.
Ones for the money and twos for the show
Three must be for the motherfucking po po'
I've seen ghetto kings fall to the floor
Cause they can't see ask
(still some of y'all creepin with the Po Po's
Sleepin wit the Po Po's
Some of y'all walking wit the Po Po's
I ain't fuckin with the Po Po's)
Bitch!
In the outro, Nate Dogg sings a catchy chorus about the police's negative impact on society. He's seen too many people fall to the floor because of the police (ones for the money and twos for the show, three must be for the motherfucking po po'). He calls out those who associate with the police (still some of y'all creepin with the Po Po's) and warns them that it's dangerous to be associated with them (I ain't fuckin with the Po Po's).
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Cain, Nathaniel D Hale, John David Jackson, Kenisha Pratt, Jonathan Rotem
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind