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."
Respect
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That we create
We the master of the street fuck what you heard
'Cause everything else is quite absurd
And you know we keep it tight, that's what they say
And when you whip it in your truck just bang this everyday
We won't stop rockin', we comin' correct
And all these rappers can't stand us but give us respect
Stop what you're doing
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to
You see we droppin' that strong shit
More powerful and dominant
So just respect my conglomerate
Look bitch I'm back as big foot
Giant King Kong boss presence, they've been shook
Try it now
Lock the street, let the kid cook
Tie it down
Don't be mad when your bitch look
Quiet down
You don't sound too convincing
Low stamina rap niggas, you need ginseng
I godfather this shit, pinky ring king
I bomb niggas, nuclear missiles is whistling
(Now ya'll niggas wanna run and high like roaches)
Combo a (?) on them boats, let the ships in
It's been a drought, coke prices is up, ching-ching
Shell a nigga from Brooklyn house to Sing Sing
Cold winters get real warm, hailstorm
Like the shakin' and beefin' in jail domes
Got a nigga beastin' aware, I'm in rare form
Now watch how they respectin' when ringin' the air horn
Stop what you're doing
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to
You see we droppin' that strong shit
More powerful and dominant
So just respect my conglomerate
With success comes stress if it's my grind
So I light up every night nigga, skyline
I keep gettin' better, they should call me fine whine
While these used-to-bes wish they filled with (?)
But nah, it is what it fuckin' is
And goin' hard is just a part of the fuckin' biz
No porno, right now I'm in the Bordeaux
We usually in a pair of "damn I never saw those"
Glass of pink for everybody
They say stay hungry and never thirsty
So I'm buyin' drinks for everybody
Problem is that I can't link with everbody
And everybody think they everybody
You think you Big Meech? No you don't
Bring the strip club to the house? No you won't
And I'd invite you to the top but I'm sure
It's for real niggas and you'd get stopped at the door
Stop what you're doing
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to
You see we droppin' that strong shit
More powerful and dominant
So just respect my conglomerate
Yo, a real nigga never worry bout what a coward do
Time is money
So I respect what an hour do
One phone call
And the posse'll shower you
You know my regime is much more powerful
Same plans of course
Every gram is [?]
Get charged to the game cause every man's a boss
Respect my conglomerate cocaine
Cash in the stash and the mask
My connect is anonymous
You don't wanna problem with
Niggas that get your momma hit
No death where the flesh rule
Nigga I'm the shit no restroom
No room to rest
Them niggas'll test you
See where it gets you
Baptize these rap guys, the gat flies
Cocaine crack pies, big niggas get half size
When the sword hits the waist or the four hits the face
He gone need a prayer, put the call into Ma$e
I put it all in the coke
Put it all in the Chase
All in Wachovia
All in the H
9mms and Tec-nine's, you will respect mines
Stop what you're doing
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to
You see we droppin' that strong shit
More powerful and dominant
So just respect my conglomerate
The song Respect by Fabolous is all about commanding respect from other rappers and asserting his dominance in the music industry. The song opens with a statement about demonstrating real live music and the tightness of their beats. Fabolous is keen to show that they are the masters of the industry and deserve respect from everyone else. The lyrics also mention that other rappers cannot stand them but should still give them respect. Fabolous also plays on his physical presence and success calling himself "big foot," "giant king kong boss presence" and "pinky ring king."
The song also involves Flex of Dipset who boasts about his cocaine connect being anonymous and no one wanting to have a problem with him. Lyrics about 9mm and Tec-9s show that there is a level of danger being dealt with in this world. Similarly, the line "you think you Big Meech? No you won't" implies that he is not messing around with people who claim to be big shots in the industry. There is a confident tone and determination in the song all about demanding the respect they believe is owed to them from other rappers.
Overall, Respect is a powerful rap song with an aggressive tone that puts it on par with many other hip-hop battle songs. It is all about asserting one's own dominance in the industry and commanding the respect that they believe they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
Now we came here to demonstrate all the real live shit
That we create
We're here to showcase the genuine music we make
We the master of the street fuck what you heard
'Cause everything else is quite absurd
We dominate the streets and don't care about any rumors because they are ridiculous
And you know we keep it tight, that's what they say
And when you whip it in your truck just bang this everyday
Our music is known for being good, and when you play it in your car or truck you'll love it too
We won't stop rockin', we comin' correct
And all these rappers can't stand us but give us respect
We'll keep making great music and although some rappers may not like us, they still must give us respect
Stop what you're doing
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to
You see we droppin' that strong shit
More powerful and dominant
So just respect my conglomerate
Our music is so good that it will change your perception of what you're used to, and you should respect us for that
Look bitch I'm back as big foot
Giant King Kong boss presence, they've been shook
Try it now
Lock the street, let the kid cook
Tie it down
Don't be mad when your bitch look
Quiet down
You don't sound too convincing
Low stamina rap niggas, you need ginseng
I godfather this shit, pinky ring king
I bomb niggas, nuclear missiles is whistling
(Now ya'll niggas wanna run and high like roaches)
Combo a (?) on them boats, let the ships in
It's been a drought, coke prices is up, ching-ching
Shell a nigga from Brooklyn house to Sing Sing
Cold winters get real warm, hailstorm
Like the shakin' and beefin' in jail domes
Got a nigga beastin' aware, I'm in rare form
Now watch how they respectin' when ringin' the air horn
I'm back and intimidating, just like Bigfoot or King Kong. Don't mess with me or you'll regret it. I'm so good that I run the music genre like a godfather, and I hit hard like a nuclear missile. Even though you used to run things, now it's my turn to shine. You'll respect me now that I'm in charge.
With success comes stress if it's my grind
So I light up every night nigga, skyline
I keep gettin' better, they should call me fine whine
While these used-to-bes wish they filled with (?)
But nah, it is what it fuckin' is
And goin' hard is just a part of the fuckin' biz
No porno, right now I'm in the Bordeaux
We usually in a pair of 'damn I never saw those'
Glass of pink for everybody
They say stay hungry and never thirsty
So I'm buyin' drinks for everybody
Problem is that I can't link with everbody
And everybody think they everybody
You think you Big Meech? No you don't
Bring the strip club to the house? No you won't
And I'd invite you to the top but I'm sure
It's for real niggas and you'd get stopped at the door
Being successful brings stress, that's why I smoke weed every night. I'm always improving, just like fine wine. Other rappers who used to be popular wish they were like me. I know this is just how the music industry is, and it's hard work. We're drinking pink champagne, and I'm buying drinks for everyone. But I can't hang out with everyone because some people think they're better than they are. You're not as successful as Big Meech, and you won't bring the strip club to your house. I can invite you to the top, but only real people are allowed.
Yo, a real nigga never worry bout what a coward do
Time is money
So I respect what an hour do
One phone call
And the posse'll shower you
You know my regime is much more powerful
Same plans of course
Every gram is [?]
Get charged to the game cause every man's a boss
Respect my conglomerate cocaine
Cash in the stash and the mask
My connect is anonymous
You don't wanna problem with
Niggas that get your momma hit
No death where the flesh rule
Nigga I'm the shit no restroom
No room to rest
Them niggas'll test you
See where it gets you
Baptize these rap guys, the gat flies
Cocaine crack pies, big niggas get half size
When the sword hits the waist or the four hits the face
He gone need a prayer, put the call into Ma$e
I put it all in the coke
Put it all in the Chase
All in Wachovia
All in the H
9mms and Tec-nine's, you will respect mines
A real person doesn't worry about what a coward does. I value time, so I respect every hour. I have a powerful group of people behind me who will support me. Our business plans are always the same and every person is a boss. Respect the cocaine that I sell, and I keep my stash hidden. You don't want to make us angry because we'll hurt your loved ones. I'm the best and won't take a break. Enemies will test you to see how much you can take. Rappers will be destroyed, guns will be fired, and drugs will be dealt. Whoever messes with us will be praying for their life. I invest everything in cocaine, banks, and guns, and you will respect me for it.
Stop what you're doing
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to
You see we droppin' that strong shit
More powerful and dominant
So just respect my conglomerate
I'm about to change everything you're used to and you'll love it. Our music is strong, powerful, and dominant, you have to respect us for it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BERNARD EDWARDS, JASON PHILLIPS, JAY JENKINS, TREVOR SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind