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."
Real One
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One time
You just need a real one one time
You just need a real one, ay
Heard she in between dudes, just like Lauryn
Go to work everyday, take the bus like tourin'
She be curving all the locals, must like foreigns
So wassup
Dark windows on the Aston
Who else pull a big daddy up on Mother Gaston
I'm like collar on, it's hard to get role lasting
She said "I don't know, it depend on who's asking"
Look, I'm Young OG, but you can call me Yogi
Say how real I am but when you do it sound bogie
So why don't you get to know me, I'll remind you of the homie
And make you forget about everybody that's before me
She said "I hope so cause them other niggas flow be
Had me gettin' hurt all the time, I'm like Kobe"
So I be with Adobe, M.I.A like "so be"
All these nigga tryna hit it, even bitches on the low be
Brooklyn like nah son, Harlem like yo b
It's wet like the ocean, well dick like Moby
We need to stick together, real one's click together
Since we both gettin' to it, we can hit that lick together
Get that money
You just need a real one one time
Stack up to a million one time
(Where we at?)
Back up in the building one time
Shout out to the real ones one time
Said you might have had some but you need a real one
You might have had some but you need a real one
You might have had some but you need a real one
Said you might have had some but you need a real one
Funny how money change a situation
Real one come through, make a lituation
When you work for me it come with vacation
Trip to L.A just to hit crustaceans
Everybody eats, had the krab with the noodles
Too busy doing me to be mad at what you do
The big dogs is out, better grab up your poodles
Don't let me work that magic 'cause Fab got that voodoo
Fab go that voodoo, yeah, Fab got that voodoo
Stick the pen in your dog, stab up your booboo
She might have had some but she need a real one
And she a bad one, realest in the building
And I'm a bad boy, I Diddy bop on Biggie block
Bad bitches can't really rock with any thot
Gotta ball, we really jocks up in the spot
I'm so Brooklyn, I Millie Rock on any block
We all need a real one one time
I know em when I see em one time
Kill em, and won't grieve 'em one time
But bae I'll never leave ya one time
You know I'm the type to ride with ya
Sit back, late, getting high with ya
Kick back, bump this vibe with ya
Baby I'm just glad to be alive with ya
You complete me baby
So much, listen to me, but boy you fill me up
And I know you need me baby
You know I'm down and know just how to lift me up
So tell me the truth
Is you rockin'? Cause I'm into you
Boy this poppin', I'm not timing you
Boy come clock in and it's all on you
I'll come knockin
Baby I'll be back in no time
Soon as we pause, we hit the rewind
Go back in time, slow down, 69
187, baby you are a big crime
And for you I'll do time, for you I'll do time
Long as you repay me with wine and dine
Anything you ask for with me is fine
I'll be your star baby, you are my sunshine
(Tell me what you need)
I just need a real one one time
(Get that money)
Stack up to a million one time
(Where we at?)
Back up in the building one time
Shout out to the real ones one time
You might have had some but you need a real one
You might have had some but you need a real one
You might have had some but you need a real one
One time
The lyrics to Fabolous ft. Jazzy's song "Real One" speak to the desire to find a trustworthy and genuine partner. The singer describes a woman who is looking for someone who will treat her well and not play games, and he promises to be that person for her. He compares himself to a friend who will always be there for her and make her forget about anyone who came before him. The song also touches on themes of money and materialism, with references to luxury cars, expensive restaurants, and trips to L.A.
The line "heard she in between dudes, just like Lauryn" is a reference to Lauryn Hill's song "Doo Wop (That Thing)," which warns women against getting involved in multiple relationships. Fabolous uses this reference to suggest that the woman he is interested in is not just playing games with him, but with other men as well. The line "dark windows on the Aston" refers to the car make Aston Martin, which is often associated with luxury and high status.
Overall, "Real One" is a song about finding someone who is genuine and trustworthy in a world where people often put on a façade. It speaks to the desire to find a partner who is not just after money or material possessions, but who truly cares about you as a person.
Line by Line Meaning
Heard she in between dudes, just like Lauryn
I heard that she is dating multiple guys at once, just like Lauryn Hill.
Go to work every day, take the bus like tourin'
She works every day and takes the bus like she's going on tour.
She be curving all the locals, must like foreigns
She rejects all the local guys and prefers foreign ones.
And this is when I had the Martin, I was just like Lawrence
This happened when I had my Martin guitar, and I was just like Martin Lawrence in that moment.
Dark windows on the Aston
I have tinted windows on my Aston Martin.
Who else pull a big daddy up on Mother Gaston
Who else pulls up in a big car on Mother Gaston Boulevard?
I'm like collar on, it's hard to get role lasting
I always wear my collar up, and it's hard to maintain my role (in the rap game).
She said "I don't know, it depend on who's asking"
She replied, "I don't know, it depends on who's asking".
Look, I'm Young OG, but you can call me Yogi
I'm Young OG, but you can call me Yogi.
Say how real I am but when you do it sound bogie
You say how real I am, but when you say it, it sounds fake.
So why don't you get to know me, I'll remind you of the homie
Why don't you get to know me? I'll remind you of your friend.
And make you forget about everybody that's before me
I'll make you forget about every guy you were with before me.
She said "I hope so cause them other niggas flow be
She said, "I hope so because the flow of those other guys hurt me.
Had me getting hurt all the time, I'm like Kobe"
Those other guys hurt me all the time, just like how Kobe Bryant played through injuries.
So I be with Adobe, M.I.A like "so be"
So I hang out with Adobe and M.I.A as if nothing is happening.
All these nigga tryna hit it, even bitches on the low be
All these guys are trying to have sex with her, even women are trying to do it low-key.
Brooklyn like nah son, Harlem like yo b
Brooklyn says no and Harlem says yes, my friend.
It's wet like the ocean, well dick like Moby
It's wet like the ocean, and my penis is as big as Moby's.
We need to stick together, real one's click together
We need to stay together, authentic ones stick together.
Since we both gettin' to it, we can hit that lick together
Since both of us are making money, we can do a job together and make even more.
Funny how money change a situation
It's amusing how money can change one's situation.
Real one come through, make a lituation
A true person comes through and creates a lit situation.
When you work for me it come with vacation
When you work for me, you get vacation time.
Trip to L.A just to hit crustaceans
I took a trip to L.A to eat crustaceans.
Everybody eats, had the krab with the noodles
Everybody is eating, I had crab with noodles.
Too busy doing me to be mad at what you do
I'm too busy living my life to be upset with what you're doing.
The big dogs is out, better grab up your poodles
The top dogs are out, so you better grab your small dogs and leave.
Don't let me work that magic 'cause Fab got that voodoo
Don't let me use my magic on you because I have powerful influence as a rapper.
She might have had some but she need a real one
She might have had other partners, but she needs a true partner.
And she a bad one, realest in the building
She's very attractive and the most authentic person in the building.
And I'm a bad boy, I Diddy bop on Biggie block
I'm a mischievous person. I dance like Diddy on Biggie's block.
Bad bitches can't really rock with any thot
Exceptional women don't vibe well with someone who is promiscuous.
Gotta ball, we really jocks up in the spot
We need to party and have fun because we are popular and famous.
I'm so Brooklyn, I Millie Rock on any block
I'm such a Brooklyn person that I can dance the Millie Rock on any block.
We all need a real one one time
We all need a true partner at least once in our life.
I know em when I see em one time
I can recognize a real partner when I see them.
Kill em, and won't grieve 'em one time
If someone hurts me, I won't hesitate to end our relationship.
But bae I'll never leave ya one time
But my love, I'll never abandon you.
You know I'm the type to ride with ya
You know I'm the type to stick by your side.
Sit back, late, getting high with ya
Relax, chill, and get high with me.
Kick back, bump this vibe with ya
Relax and listen to this music together.
Baby I'm just glad to be alive with ya
I'm just happy to be alive and with you.
You complete me baby
You make me whole, baby.
So much, listen to me, but boy you fill me up
I have so much to say to you, but being with you fills me up with joy.
And I know you need me baby
And I know you need me, baby.
You know I'm down and know just how to lift me up
You know that I'm always here for you and know how to make me feel better.
So tell me the truth
So be honest with me.
Is you rockin'? Cause I'm into you
Are you vibing with me? Because I like you a lot.
Boy this poppin', I'm not timing you
This is going great, and I'm not rushing you.
Boy come clock in and it's all on you
Come earn your place in my life and show me what you got.
I'll come knockin
I'll come knocking on your door.
Baby I'll be back in no time
I'll be back soon, baby.
Soon as we pause, we hit the rewind
As soon as we pause, we start over and do it again.
Go back in time, slow down, 69
Let's go back in time and take things slow, and have some intimate time together.
187, baby you are a big crime
Murder is a big crime, and being with you feels illegal.
And for you I'll do time, for you I'll do time
And I'll spend some time in jail for you, I'll do anything.
Long as you repay me with wine and dine
As long as you treat me to some fine dining and wine.
Anything you ask for with me is fine
Anything you need, just ask and I'll be there for you.
I'll be your star baby, you are my sunshine
I'll be the star in your life, and you are the light of my life.
Said you might have had some but you need a real one
You might have had other partners, but you need someone genuine and true.
Shout out to the real ones one time
A big shout out to all the genuine and true people out there.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John David Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raelexi
It's 2022, and Iβm still patiently waiting and hoping that this gets on Apple Music. π© This one and the entire Soul Tape mixtapes. ππΎ
@krisssupabad991
You girl I thought it was only me why they playing with us like that thoβ¦ PRESS THA REMIND GO BACK IN TIME SLOW DOWN 69 βΊοΈππ©π
@kwaseb
Hell no!!! They don't pay artists well
@gdubb29
@@kwaseb who does?
@BigL88
Worrrrrrddddddd
@tjlytch9133
Amen to u sis
@n.4973
2024 anyone? Hi Andrew
@mayaslim9437
Here I am
@user-qz3ld6mj9b
We still here .. β€
@Malcome-ro7wf
Yes sirrr