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."
Salute
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
G-en-er-al word to the cake shells
In this chopper will pop em
Make it sound like a helli-choppers land on top of this bitch
You want this whopper come and get your beef nigga
I'm not a boxer I'm be brief nigga
Were on top I will put you underneath niggas
We will take your whole tribe and I'm the chief nigga
I'm not that little pregnant white girl but juno
You no anything within a nigga reach
My dogs will bite you and guess who the nigga leash
I was once told by my nigga Meach
You feed a sucka' he just grow to be a bigger leach
So everytime you hear mine get your hand to your hairline
[Chorus]
Yeah I'm in this bitch
Sending champagne to my enemy's
Salute or shoot you choose mu'fucka'
Bow down till your head touch your shoes mu'fucka'
Salute me, salute me, salute me, salute me
Salute or shoot you choose mu'fucka'
Bow down till your head touch your shoes mu'fucka'
Salute me
Now just say hello to the Captain
And I stay away from magnets cause that metals what I'm packin'
Bet your brains on your shirt will look like jello on a napkin
And I promise my fellows will put your fellow on a canvas
Call me Wezezy F baby Young Money army, betta' yet Navy
Fab' I got 'em
And watch me get 'em
And I do 'em
How I did 'em
And tool inside my denim
I shoot everything but woman and kids
Bitch niggas stop bitchin' it's just how it is
Now watch me let that sexy Nina kiss you by my ribs
You won't be satisfied till I send a missile by your crib
Shoot you in the stomach now your pissin' out your ears
Hollygrove all day bodies in the hallway
And if you come searchin' then your finding out the hard way (ugh)
No matter where your from you better recognize a real
Nigga when you see one
Salute me
[Chorus]
At second thought I got the heart of a solider
Told ya I ain't gon' play y'all
My mind has gon' awall
Find it I will pay y'all
My money is yay tall okay y'all
A smidget stack is midget mack
That mean it's gon' stay small
Told dem I don't see nobody
I'm a rappin' Ray Charles (I don't see nobody)
I think I need a seein' I dog
Come to being fly dog
You ain't seeing I dog (OK OK OK OK)
We sit in here like pollen now
Fuck you niggas hollerin' now
They said I been M-I-A
Yea bitch I'm on columns now
Leaders gon' be followin' crowds
General like Colin Powell
Water means Cary gay
Beef is just a style of cow
I who make the call
So make me get the dialin' out
Nick got the cannon yea dat nigga be widlin' out
They ain't ballin' these niggaz is filin' out
They ain't throwin' jives they just throwin' the towels out yea
The song "Salute" by Fabolous, featuring Eminem and Lil Wayne, is a song about having power and influence in the hip hop culture. The lyrics refer to the artists' dominance over their competitors and their ability to make and break careers in the industry. Fabolous compares himself to a general in terms of his power and leadership within hip hop, while Eminem references his ability to take down opponents with his words and leave them in a state of fear. Lil Wayne, on the other hand, boasts about his money and his ability to buy anything he wants.
In the chorus, the artists call for their enemies to either salute or be shot, essentially giving them the choice to acknowledge their power or face the consequences. The lyrics are aggressive and confrontational, reflecting the competitive nature of the hip hop industry.
Overall, the song is a representation of the artists' dominance within the hip hop culture and their ability to control the industry through their talent, power, and influence.
Line by Line Meaning
First off I'm a muthafuckin'
G-en-er-al word to the cake shells
I am a powerful leader, not to be trifled with
In this chopper will pop em
Make it sound like a helli-choppers land on top of this bitch
I will annihilate my enemies with both speed and sound
You want this whopper come and get your beef nigga
I'm not a boxer I'm be brief nigga
If you want to start something, let's get right to it. I don't waste any time, I go straight for the kill
Were on top I will put you underneath niggas
We will take your whole tribe and I'm the chief nigga
I am the leader, and I will conquer anyone who opposes me, no matter how many people are on their side
Your highest title numero uno
I'm not that little pregnant white girl but juno
I am the best at what I do, and I am not a mere child like the movie character Juno
You no anything within a nigga reach
My dogs will bite you and guess who the nigga leash
If you come too close, my loyal followers will attack, and I'm the one controlling them
I was once told by my nigga Meach
You feed a sucka' he just grow to be a bigger leach
My friend Meach taught me that if you give in to a weak person, they will only become worse in the long run
So every time you hear mine get your hand to your hairline
When my name is mentioned, show respect by saluting me
Yeah I'm in this bitch
Sending champagne to my enemy's
Salute or shoot you choose mu'fucka'
I'm here and showing off my wealth. You have a choice to either respect me or suffer the consequences
Bow down till your head touch your shoes mu'fucka'
Salute me, salute me, salute me, salute me
You need to show your submission by bowing down and saluting me multiple times
Now just say hello to the Captain
And I stay away from magnets cause that metals what I'm packin'
I am in charge here, and I make sure to be careful with my weapons
Bet your brains on your shirt will look like jello on a napkin
And I promise my fellows will put your fellow on a canvas
If you mess with me, you will end up dead and your brain will be splattered all over your clothes
Call me Wezezy F baby Young Money army, betta' yet Navy
Fab' I got 'em
I am part of a powerful group known as Young Money, and I have control over everyone in it
And watch me get 'em
And I do 'em
How I did 'em
And tool inside my denim
I will take care of my enemies and make sure they don't cross me again. I have a weapon ready at all times
I shoot everything but woman and kids
Bitch niggas stop bitchin' it's just how it is
I am ruthless, but even I have a code. Women and children are off-limits. Men who complain are just weak
Now watch me let that sexy Nina kiss you by my ribs
You won't be satisfied till I send a missile by your crib
My weapon (named Nina) will strike you down, and you won't be happy until I completely destroy everything you hold dear
Shoot you in the stomach now your pissin' out your ears
Hollygrove all day bodies in the hallway
I will hurt you so badly that your bodily functions will be out of control. Violence is a part of everyday life where I come from
And if you come searchin' then your finding out the hard way (ugh)
No matter where your from you better recognize a real
Nigga when you see one
If you come looking for me, you will face consequences. And wherever you're from, you should respect people who have real power like me
At second thought I got the heart of a solider
Told ya I ain't gon' play y'all
I am brave and strong, and I don't mess around
My mind has gon' awall
Find it I will pay y'all
Sometimes I have trouble thinking clearly, but I will reward anyone who can help me
My money is yay tall okay y'all
A smidget stack is midget mack
That mean it's gon' stay small
I have a lot of money, and even my small amounts are still significant
Told dem I don't see nobody
I'm a rappin' Ray Charles (I don't see nobody)
I am so focused on my music that I ignore everything else. It's like I am blind to everything else around me
I think I need a seein' I dog
Come to being fly dog
You ain't seeing I dog (OK OK OK OK)
I need someone to guide me and help me stay on top of my game, but even with their help, no one can match my skills
We sit in here like pollen now
Fuck you niggas hollerin' now
We are here and spreading like pollen, and I don't care about anyone else's opinions
They said I been M-I-A
Yea bitch I'm on columns now
Some people say I've been absent, but I'm actually just taking my success to new heights
Leaders gon' be followin' crowds
General like Colin Powell
Most people just follow the crowd, but I lead the way like a powerful military general
Water means Cary gay
Beef is just a style of cow
I am very rich and can afford to indulge in expensive things like water from Cary and different types of beef
I who make the call
So make me get the dialin' out
Nick got the cannon yea dat nigga be widlin' out
I am in charge here, and I will make all the important decisions. My friend Nick is armed and ready to fight
They ain't ballin' these niggaz is filin' out
They ain't throwin' jives they just throwin' the towels out yea
These people are not successful and are actually quitting. They aren't even trying to fight, they just give up easily
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DWAYNE CARTER, JOHN JACKSON, MIGUEL JAMINEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind