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."
Return Of The Hustle
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get your money in the air like this (yeah, yeah)
Fab time, BK
[Fabolous]
From nothin' to somehin', homey (yes)
Street fit it, it, it in (yes)
Hey, it's a new year, and I'm back for new money
[Swizz Beatz]
Cash rules everything around me, cream
It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill, yup, yup
[Fabolous]
Yes, it's the return of the young hustle
A nigga came for the money, not the tongue tussle
Me - I'd rather do my lip lashin' when the chips cash in
Then you might see me on the strip flashin'
Like Vegas lights, and they say I shine Vegas bright
Draw a crowd like a Vegas fight
So shit, gettin' hit, and my leg is light
I mean it could a been a 2Pac Vegas night
Or maybe a Notorious L.A. evening
"Baby, you okay?" I mean, well, I'm breathin'
Hell, I'm even bossin' and I laugh
The money ain't right, then I toss you to the left
Yes, to the left, to the left
Everything is hustle to the death for the F
A-B, baby, they be lazy
Gucci straight jacket 'cause I may be crazy
Loony for the loot, psycho for the paper
This a new year, but I recycle for the paper
If green talks, then I'm the Geico with the paper
So have my check right, no typos with the paper, please
[Swizz Beatz]
Cash rules everything around me, cream
It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill, yup, yup
I said
Cash rules everything around me, cream
It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill, yup, yup
[Fabolous]
They say the rap game remind 'em of the crack game
That's why they money go quicker than a crack high
My money stacked high; how high? Shaq high
Yao high; that's why yours is Bow Wow high
You lookin' at your new hustle like your last hustle
Was looked at as Russell in my past hustle
Shorty work it; she be on her ass hustle
She make it clap; she know how to work them ass muscles
Fast rush you, then back to the money
They say I'm frontin', can't turn my back to the money
And, truthfully, you're cool, but I'm attracted to money
So why don't cha turn your back to the money, and let it shake?
I'm lovin' how you move that smooth; you let it snake
But players don't chase at it, baby, we let it make
Bet it make sense when you make them dollars
I ain't gotta make them move, but I make them holla
This my year, but y'all can help me celebrate
I'm nine-fifteen, that means I'm hella straight
Swizz stacks, Just Blaze bucks
I'm back for my money; it's just they luck
[Swizz Beatz]
Cash rules everything around me, cream
It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill, yup, yup
I said
Cash rules everything around me, cream
It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup
Get that money, yup
Dolla dolla bill, yup, yup
[Swizz Beatz]
Get your money in the air, money in the air
Get your money in the air, money in the air
Let me see it up, let, let me see it up
Let me see it up, let, let me see it up, ladies
Money in the air, money in the urr-urr
Money in the air, money in the urr-urr
Money in the air, money in the air
Let me see it up, nigga, you don't need that dough
Nigga, you don't need that dough
The song “Return of The Hustle” is a collab track between Fabolous and Swizz Beatz. It is about their hustle to get their money, with a focus on earning as much as possible in a new year. Fabolous raps about transforming his “nothin’ to somethin’” and putting in work to make his money grow. Swizz Beatz emphasizes the importance of cash ruling everything around him in the new year, encouraging listeners to get their money up.
The lyrics throughout the song are filled with intricate rhymes and metaphors that show the artists’ command of language. For instance, Fabolous compares himself to the bright lights of Vegas and muses about how he could have ended up like 2Pac in Vegas. Additionally, he notes that “players don't chase at it, baby, we let it make” as he reminds his listeners that the hustle is a waiting game where success comes to those who are patient. The song’s catchy hook – “Cash rules everything around me, cream / It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup / Get that money, yup / Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup / Get that money, yup / Dolla dolla bill, yup, yup” – drives home the message that money is the key to everything.
Line by Line Meaning
From nothin' to somehin', homey (yes)
Starting from nothing and achieving something, buddy
Street fit it, it, it in (yes)
Molding and blending to the street life
Hey, it's a new year, and I'm back for new money
It's a fresh year, and I am here to make new cash
Cash rules everything around me, cream
Money controls everything in my life
It's a new year, dolla dolla bill, y'all, yup
It's a new year, and it's all about money
Dolla dolla bill y'all, yup
Money, money, money
Yes, it's the return of the young hustle
Yes, the young hustle is back again
A nigga came for the money, not the tongue tussle
I am here for the cash, not for fighting or arguments
Me - I'd rather do my lip lashin' when the chips cash in
I prefer to talk when I am rich
Then you might see me on the strip flashin'
You may find me flaunting cash on the streets
Like Vegas lights, and they say I shine Vegas bright
I shine like the bright lights of Las Vegas
Draw a crowd like a Vegas fight
I attract people like a boxing match in Las Vegas
So shit, gettin' hit, and my leg is light
I might feel light-headed like I got knocked out
I mean it could a been a 2Pac Vegas night
It could have been a crazy night like when 2Pac got shot in Vegas
Or maybe a Notorious L.A. evening
Or it was a night like when Notorious B.I.G was killed in Los Angeles
"Baby, you okay?" I mean well I'm breathin'
People ask if I am okay and I say, "Well, at least I am alive"
Hell, I'm even bossin' and I laugh
I make decisions like a boss and I am amused by it
The money ain't right, then I toss you to the left
If you don't have cash, I will ignore you
Yes, to the left, to the left
Go away, disappear
Everything is hustle to the death for the F
Hustle is everything until I die for my crew
A-B, baby, they be lazy
My associates, A-B, are lazy
Gucci straight jacket 'cause I may be crazy
I might be insane, like someone who wears a straight jacket from Gucci
Loony for the loot, psycho for the paper
I am crazy for money
This a new year, but I recycle for the paper
It's a new year, but I still make money by reusing old ways
If green talks, then I'm the Geico with the paper
If money could speak, then I am the Geico (insurance company) of money
So have my check right, no typos with the paper, please
Please make sure my payment is correct and has no errors
They say the rap game remind 'em of the crack game
People compare rap industry to the drug industry
That's why they money go quicker than a crack high
People spend money fast in this business
My money stacked high; how high? Shaq high
I have a lot of money stacked up, like Shaquille O'Neal's height
Yao high; that's why yours is Bow Wow high
My money is even higher than Yao Ming's, while yours is only as high as Bow Wow's
You lookin' at your new hustle like your last hustle
You are approaching your new project the same way you approached your last one
Was looked at as Russell in my past hustle
My last hustle was successful, like Russell Simmons
Shorty work it; she be on her ass hustle
A girl is working hard, using her body (ass) to make money
She make it clap; she know how to work them ass muscles
She makes her butt clap, she is skilled at using her body
Fast rush you, then back to the money
I will quickly overwhelm you, then get back to making money
They say I'm frontin', can't turn my back to the money
People think I am lying, but I can't ignore money
And, truthfully, you're cool, but I'm attracted to money
You are nice, but I am more interested in money
So why don't cha turn your back to the money, and let it shake?
Why don't you ignore money and let it do its thing?
I'm lovin' how you move that smooth; you let it snake
I like how you move so effortlessly, it's like a snake
But players don't chase at it, baby, we let it make
But smart players don't actively pursue it, we let it come to us
Bet it make sense when you make them dollars
It all makes sense when you start making money
I ain't gotta make them move, but I make them holla
I don't have to force people, but I am still able to get their attention
This my year, but y'all can help me celebrate
This is my year, but you can party with me
I'm nine-fifteen, that means I'm hella straight
I am in great shape, I am doing well
Swizz stacks, Just Blaze bucks
Swizz Beatz has a lot of money, Just Blaze has even more
I'm back for my money; it's just they luck
I am here to collect my money, it's just their luck that I am back
Get your money in the air, money in the air
Raise your cash up high
Let me see it up, let, let me see it up
Show me your money
Let me see it up, let, let me see it up, ladies
Show me your money, ladies
Money in the air, money in the urr-urr
Money is in the air
Nigga, you don't need that dough
You don't need that money
Nigga, you don't need that dough
You don't need that money
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: KASSEEM DEAN, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, ROBERT F. DIGGS, LAMONT HAWKINS, JASON HUNTER, RUSSELL T. JONES, JUSTIN GREGORY SMITH, JOHN DAVID JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wuss90
Who listen to this now that its 2020???
@mansamusah7158
I do in 2022
@ronnieprice7722
Yo it doesn't matter what year this joint came out cause Fabulous shit still be Rocking & Bumping..... You Feel Me
@kingdre6397
Facts. I play this shit almost every morning before work 🤌🏽
@Shebshady763
Bruh that beat is crazy!!!! Thank god for that Instagram live battle
@JayHood619
fabolous has the sickest flow in the game.. period
@nasiomotivation5173
You mean Jadakiss? Right?
@Lololo70
How can you not listen to Fab 🔥🔥🔥
@jsoul99
one of the hardest beats Just has EVER done!!!
@dannybouche3340
Just Blaze should have played this beat during his beat battle with Swizz last night.