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."
Right Now and Later On
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hennessy, Cristal and sticky weed (uh huh)
A little drop sports coupe's all I want (yeah)
And I brought the hammer if y'all front (woh)
Yeah, the kid been makin' these mami's, yell "papacita"
Since Kangols and shell-top Adidas
Love when te-ta's look like they'll pop through beaters
But ma' I ain't the type to love ya
I'm a triflin', good for nothin', type a brother
This cute face'll make your wife smile
And I check in two bags and one's just a suitcase full of Lifestyles
And we both rent out playa
Difference is you a sweet subsitute, I'm a Penthouse playa
y'all seen my rings borders
It's full of queen and king's daughters, as clean as spring water
'F's for freakin, 'A's alright (yeah)
'be's for bottles that pop all night (uh huh)
'O's for the ounces that I got (say what)
That we blow everday, know why, why not?
Right now you probably like me, but
Later on you gonna love me and
Right now you probably want me, but
Later on you gonna need me and (yeah)
Right now you don't like me, but
Later on you gonna hate me (what)
And I just got to do it
Fuck y'all, I'm a keep doin' my thing
It's the hoodrat Hugh Hefner, that bend dimes, too
The five plus one, sittin' on ten times two
Shorty when I'm through
I'm a know if you nice on the mic and if your friend rhyme, too
It's so funny how I suit the women
They know I'm still spendin' show money from "Superwoman"
They like "where'd he get those twenties?"
And "I didn't know that's a color that the coupe could come in, damnit man"
All I say to the heffers is "Jesus"
Keep swallowin' my kids, mights as well have no nephews and nieces
I know you want to sip Proof
And try an make me crack a smile, just so you can see my chipped tooth
I'm tryna' get you, in and out of my room
Just to get, in and out of your womb
And the rocks in mine glare, somethin' like Times Square
Excuse me miss, you want me to sign where? (sign where?)
Fab's hard to be found
But most likely I'm with a foreign dame who name's hard to pronounce
I started out, gettin' hard by the ounce
No more cash in stashes, it's cards in accounts
The way I make 'em nod to the bounce
Somebody call Silvia and tell her ship larger amounts
This playa make 'em scream a scheme
My closest look like I keep gettin' traded from team to team
Look sleezy, it's difficult but me and Tim the only ones that make pimpin
Look easy
Tell me how I'm gonna make my album cleaner
With bitches suckin' me up like vacuum cleaners
Even chickens want to cluck outside
And mami can't stop eyein'
And when I said my rims was only nineteens, she said "stop lyin'!"
Say what, say what, uh huh
You don't need us, huh?
I see you comin' back to her
Like that, with the two-step
Fabolos, we out
In the song "Right Now & Later On," Fabolous talks about his materialistic desires and his love for women. He seeks pretty girls, Hennessy, and sticky weed, preferring a drop sports coupe, as he flaunts his wealth and talent. With his cute face, he knows he can charm women despite his unfaithful behavior. Fabolous asserts that he is a Penthouse playa and has many women in his life. His rings borders are full of queen and king's daughters, and his lifestyle includes womanizing and drinking.
However, the song is more than that, as it suggests that people can change over time. Fabolous is aware that some people might like or need him right now, but he also knows that this can change in the future. He questions if they will love, hate, or need him later on, acknowledging how people's opinions and feelings towards him can shift. Despite this, he remains strong in his convictions, promising to keep doing his thing regardless of how people feel about him.
Line by Line Meaning
Some little pretty mami's is all I need (yeah)
I only need some attractive women in my life to be content.
Hennessy, Cristal and sticky weed (uh huh)
I enjoy consuming Hennessy cognac, Cristal champagne, and marijuana.
A little drop sports coupe's all I want (yeah)
All I desire is a small, two-seater sports car.
And I brought the hammer if y'all front (woh)
I have a gun with me in case anyone tries to start trouble.
Yeah, the kid been makin' these mami's, yell "papacita"
I have a way with women and make them call me "papacita" (a term of endearment in Spanish).
Since Kangols and shell-top Adidas
I have been successful with women since the days of Kangol hats and Adidas sneakers.
Love when te-ta's look like they'll pop through beaters
I find it attractive when a woman's breasts are so large that they look like they will burst out of her clothes.
And the hips won't fit in the L-drop two-seater
I prefer women with very curvy figures, even if they can't fit comfortably in my small sports car.
But ma' I ain't the type to love ya
I am not looking for a serious or exclusive relationship with any woman.
I'm a triflin', good for nothin', type a brother
I have a reputation among women for being unreliable and unfaithful.
This cute face'll make your wife smile
I am an attractive man who can make married women smile.
And I check in two bags and one's just a suitcase full of Lifestyles
I always carry a suitcase full of condoms when I travel because I have sexual encounters with many women.
And we both rent out playa
I have a similar lifestyle to other men who are players/womanizers.
Difference is you a sweet subsitute, I'm a Penthouse playa
I am a more successful and prominent player than most other men, who are "sweet substitutes" in comparison.
y'all seen my rings borders
You have probably seen the many rings that I wear on my fingers.
It's full of queen and king's daughters, as clean as spring water
My circle of women includes many attractive and wealthy women who are like royalty, and I'm very selective with whom I choose to have relations.
'F's for freakin, 'A's alright (yeah)
I grade women based on their sexual performance, with a grade of F being the best.
'be's for bottles that pop all night (uh huh)
I enjoy drinking expensive champagne from the bottle endlessly.
'O's for the ounces that I got (say what)
I have a lot of marijuana that I sell and smoke.
That we blow everday, know why, why not?
I smoke weed every day, and there's no reason not to enjoy it whenever I can.
Right now you probably like me, but
You might find me charming or attractive at the moment, but
Later on you gonna love me and
You'll probably fall in love with me as time goes by, and
Right now you probably want me, but
You might be attracted to me currently, but
Later on you gonna need me and (yeah)
You will eventually come to need me in your life, whether it is for my company or something else.
Right now you don't like me, but
You might dislike me at the moment, but
Later on you gonna hate me (what)
You will eventually come to hate me, because
And I just got to do it
It is simply who I am and what I do.
Fuck y'all, I'm a keep doin' my thing
I don't care what anyone else thinks; I'm going to continue to live my life without concern for others' opinions.
It's the hoodrat Hugh Hefner, that bend dimes, too
I am like a Hugh Hefner who operates in the ghetto, with women who are still very attractive and wealthy.
The five plus one, sittin' on ten times two
My group of women includes five truly attractive and successful ladies, plus one who is not as outstanding. Together, they multiply my success tenfold.
Shorty when I'm through
When I'm done being intimate with a woman, the next thing I want to know is
I'm a know if you nice on the mic and if your friend rhyme, too
whether she and her friends can rap, too.
It's so funny how I suit the women
It's amusing to me how well I match up with various women.
They know I'm still spendin' show money from "Superwoman"
My fans know that I still have money from my hit song "Superwoman" that I'm using to maintain my lavish lifestyle.
They like "where'd he get those twenties?"
My fans are curious about where I obtained my twenty-dollar bills (likely from performing shows).
And "I didn't know that's a color that the coupe could come in, damnit man"
"I didn't realize that the color of your car was so unique -- wow!"
All I say to the heffers is "Jesus"
When I'm in the presence of so many attractive women, all I can say is "Jesus!"
Keep swallowin' my kids, mights as well have no nephews and nieces
It's like the women I'm with are trying to have kids by me, since they swallow all of my semen and seem to have no other intentions.
I know you want to sip Proof
I know that you desire to drink Proof, a brand of vodka.
And try an make me crack a smile, just so you can see my chipped tooth
You're trying to get me to smile just to see my chipped tooth, which I'm self-conscious about.
I'm tryna' get you, in and out of my room
I am trying to have sex with you, with the intention of it being a casual encounter.
Just to get, in and out of your womb
I'm only interested in women sexually so that I can have sex and then leave, with no intention of having a child with them.
And the rocks in mine glare, somethin' like Times Square
The diamonds on my jewelry are quite flashy and attention-grabbing, like the billboards in Times Square.
Excuse me miss, you want me to sign where? (sign where?)
I'm so famous that women often ask me for my autograph.
Fab's hard to be found
I'm not always easy to locate because of my busy lifestyle.
But most likely I'm with a foreign dame who name's hard to pronounce
When I do spend time with women, they are often not American and have difficult-to-pronounce names.
I started out, gettin' hard by the ounce
I began my career selling drugs, and the way it worked was that I got paid by the ounce.
No more cash in stashes, it's cards in accounts
Now I have more money in bank accounts/credit cards than in hidden locations.
The way I make 'em nod to the bounce
I know how to charm women and get them to dance along with the music.
Somebody call Silvia and tell her ship larger amounts
I'm so wealthy that I can afford to purchase even larger quantities of drugs than I currently do.
This playa make 'em scream a scheme
I am able to excite women and make them scream with pleasure.
My closest look like I keep gettin' traded from team to team
My friends look like they've been traded from one sports team to another because I'm always introducing new women into my circle.
Look sleezy, it's difficult but me and Tim the only ones that make pimpin' look easy
It's difficult to be a successful and respected player, but Tim and I are both skilled enough to be able to do it with ease.
Tell me how I'm gonna make my album cleaner
I'm wondering how I'm going to make my next album sound more radio-friendly and less vulgar.
With bitches suckin' me up like vacuum cleaners
With women giving me oral sex so frequently, it's hard to imagine how I'll be able to clean up my image.
Even chickens want to cluck outside
Even unattractive women want to be part of my circle and be seen with me.
And mami can't stop eyein'
Women can't stop looking at me, even when they're with their boyfriends/husbands.
And when I said my rims was only nineteens, she said "stop lyin'!"
Even when I tell women that my rims are only 19 inches, they don't believe me and think I'm lying about my wealth.
Say what, say what, uh huh
What did you say?
You don't need us, huh?
You don't need me or any other man.
I see you comin' back to her
I see that you will return to your girlfriend eventually, because
Like that, with the two-step
It's the way you dance, with a two-step.
Fabolos, we out
This is the end of the song and the end of my performance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, TIMOTHY Z MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind