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."
Real Playa Like
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to show you somethin', shorty
Hey, baby girl, they say the world is a beautiful place, that's right
I'm tryin' to help you open yo' eyes and see that
Ha ha, this some shit, cool shit, real playa like
[Chorus:]
Hey, shorty, we can do it real playa like
See what a day is like when you be my a-alike
Girl, just lay back, I'll do it the way you like
(Said, it's the flyest thing, just the way we swing)
(Me and you, how we do, be so fly)
[Fabolous]
You need to leave them burgers alone and make a steak upgrade
I'm fillet mignon with a tape-up fade
I see things clear through these Mark Jacob shades
Like the clarity in these jewels that Jacob made
You sleep better knowin' you gon' wake up paid
Hairstyled, nails filed, makeup made
We can shock South Beach, shake up Dade
In a drop top Phantom with the Drakov blades
I'm a stop by the barber; you can hit the shops in the harbor
Then get the chops or the lobster
Prime on twelve, dinner for dos
We begin with a toast, end with a dose
Of the light green cheeba, rolled in a cohiba
It's Sunday, so you know the Forge is
Weather gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky
We can show the world how to be fly, yes
[Chorus]
[Fabolous]
If you want to act Hollywood, fine; but, shorty, let's do it
When we sittin' on the hills like the Hollywood sign
And every man lies, but not every man flies
Privately to Van Nuys
Range on the runway, driver to pop doors
Straight to Barney's, somethin' we need to stop for
She like, "It's early, what we gonna shop for?"
How 'bout green grass breakfast, top floor
Later on Fred C, or Max Fields
Real playa like dress, good black heels
No 'Hanas, we can do Katana's
You, me, and ooo-wee marijuana
Then slide through Hyde, might include Mood
Maybe go to Area, if it's in the area
The Friday's young, try things my way, hun
Malibu ride, highway one
[Lloyd]
Nothing is too much, everything you touch turns to gold
You make me better (you make me better)
I'm fly as I can be, but when you're with me
I can't help but notice I'm more focused (but you're the coldest)
Girl, you are so...
[Fabolous]
Hey, shorty
Bring the Maybach, we got a long way to go
Just lay back; you had a long day, I know
And they whack, do it the wrong way, I know
I play back but have the song playin' low
While we six-deuce and let you fix Goose
In a glass with some ice, maybe mix juice in
On the way to L.I., well I, could a took the hell-eye
But we do more behind wheel
Hampton home, two floors, for nine mill'
Real playa like, two doors from Seinfeld
White marble, new floors that shine still
And the help keep food stored, wine chilled
Hey, you gotta live one day, right? (Right)
Well, how 'bout from Friday to Sunday night?
Then back 'fore they notice back up in Lotus
Let the world know we back and we focused
[Chorus]
In the song "Real Playa Like" by Fabolous, he is trying to show his girl how beautiful the world can be if they do things in a "real playa like" manner. He tells her to leave ordinary things and aim for luxurious ones. He wants her to upgrade from burgers to fillet mignon, and make a steak upgrade. Fabolous sees the world through his Mark Jacob shades, and the clarity in the jewels that Jacob made. He tells her that they can drive around in a drop-top Phantom with Drakov blades, and stop by the barber, and she can hit the shops in the harbor. He wants to do things in a luxurious manner, like having a green grass breakfast on the top floor, and dress up in a real playa like dress with black heels. He wants to have ooo-wee marijuana and slide through Hyde, maybe even go to Area, if it's in the area.
This song is about living life in a luxurious and elegant way. Fabolous tells his girl to leave the ordinary things behind and strive for more. He wants to show her how beautiful the world can be if they aim for luxurious things.
Line by Line Meaning
Tryin' to show you somethin', shorty
Attempting to illuminate your perspective, lady
Hey, baby girl, they say the world is a beautiful place, that's right
Greetings my dear, as they say, the planet is an exquisite environment
I'm tryin' to help you open yo' eyes and see that
My goal is to aid you in unveiling the truth
Ha ha, this some shit, cool shit, real playa like
This is amusing, trendy, and characteristic of a true player
Hey, shorty, we can do it real playa like
My dear, let us engage in true player behavior
We can go a few places that you say you like
We can visit some locations that you have expressed an affinity for
See what a day is like when you be my a-alike
Experience a day in the life of someone like me
Girl, just lay back, I'll do it the way you like
Relax, and allow me to cater to your preferences
(Said, it's the flyest thing, just the way we swing)
(This is the epitome of coolness, the way that we operate)
(Me and you, how we do, be so fly)
(The way we conduct ourselves together is incredibly stylish)
You need to leave them burgers alone and make a steak upgrade
You should avoid consuming hamburgers and elevate your diet to steak
I'm fillet mignon with a tape-up fade
I am analogous to a fillet mignon steak and possess a distinguished haircut
I see things clear through these Mark Jacob shades
I have a clear perspective when I wear these Mark Jacob sunglasses
Like the clarity in these jewels that Jacob made
Similar to the clarity found within these Jacob-crafted jewels
You sleep better knowin' you gon' wake up paid
You will rest easier if you know you will wake up wealthy
Hairstyled, nails filed, makeup made
Your hair is styled, nails are immaculate, and makeup is applied
We can shock South Beach, shake up Dade
We can surprise South Beach and create excitement in Dade
In a drop top Phantom with the Drakov blades
In a convertible Rolls-Royce Phantom with the Drakov wheels
I'm a stop by the barber; you can hit the shops in the harbor
I will visit my hairstylist while you shop in the marina
Then get the chops or the lobster
We will then indulge in lamb chops or lobster
Prime on twelve, dinner for dos
Prime rib at 12th Street Deli, dinner for two
We begin with a toast, end with a dose
We commence with a drink in cheer and terminate with indulgence in drugs
Of the light green cheeba, rolled in a cohiba
Referring to cannabis wrapped in a cigar
It's Sunday, so you know the Forge is
It's Sunday, so the Forge is open
Weather gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky
The weather is lovely, the sky is free of clouds
We can show the world how to be fly, yes
We can demonstrate how to be effortlessly cool to the world
If you want to act Hollywood, fine; but, shorty, let's do it
If you wish to appear like a Hollywood starlet, very well; however, my dear, let us succeed in doing so
When we sittin' on the hills like the Hollywood sign
When we're at the hills resembling the Hollywood sign
And every man lies, but not every man flies
Every man deceives, but not every man can travel in luxury
Privately to Van Nuys
Discreetly travel to Van Nuys
Range on the runway, driver to pop doors
Range Rover on the airfield, driver to open doors
Straight to Barney's, somethin' we need to stop for
Straight to Barney's, a place we need to visit
She like, "It's early, what we gonna shop for?"
She remarks, "It's still early; what should we purchase?"
How 'bout green grass breakfast, top floor
Let us have a fresh breakfast on the top floor with a view of grass
Later on Fred C, or Max Fields
Following that, we can visit Fred C or Max Fields
Real playa like dress, good black heels
Dress stylishly like a true player, wear high-quality black heels
No 'Hanas, we can do Katana's
No Hanas, instead we could try Katana's
You, me, and ooo-wee marijuana
You, me, and oh boy cannabis
Then slide through Hyde, might include Mood
Then travel through Hyde, possibly with a stop at Mood
Maybe go to Area, if it's in the area
We could visit Area, if it's vicinity
The Friday's young, try things my way, hun
The weekend has just commenced, experiment with my approach, dear
Malibu ride, highway one
Take a drive to Malibu on highway one
Nothing is too much, everything you touch turns to gold
There are no limits to what you can accomplish, everything you handle becomes valuable
You make me better (you make me better)
You enhance my quality of life
I'm fly as I can be, but when you're with me
I'm already stylish, but I become even more so in your presence
I can't help but notice I'm more focused (but you're the coldest)
I am unable to overlook the fact that I am more driven in your company (you're incredibly cool)
Hey, shorty
Hello, my dear
Bring the Maybach, we got a long way to go
Bring the Maybach car, we have a long distance to travel
Just lay back; you had a long day, I know
Just relax, you've had a tiring day, I am aware
And they whack, do it the wrong way, I know
I am cognizant that others are not as skilled at this as I am
I play back but have the song playin' low
I remain composed while the music is playing softly
While we six-deuce and let you fix Goose
While we are in the Maybach and you prepare Grey Goose drinks
In a glass with some ice, maybe mix juice in
Served in a glass with ice, with the possibility of adding juice
On the way to L.I., well I, could a took the hell-eye
En route to Long Island, I could have chosen the the helicopter
But we do more behind wheel
We can experience more while driving ourselves there
Hampton home, two floors, for nine mill'
A house in the Hamptons, two stories, for nine million
Real playa like, two doors from Seinfeld
A true player-like residence, two doors away from the Seinfeld set
White marble, new floors that shine still
White marble interiors, new floors that continue to shine
And the help keep food stored, wine chilled
The staff will maintain food storage and wine in a refrigerated state
Hey, you gotta live one day, right? (Right)
You only live once, yes?
Well, how 'bout from Friday to Sunday night?
What if we lived from Friday through Sunday night?
Then back 'fore they notice back up in Lotus
Then return to Lotus before being noticed
Let the world know we back and we focused
Announce to the world that we have returned and are concentrated
Chorus lines repeated
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, JAMAL F JONES, SHAFFER SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind