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."
She Did It
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yesterday paper
Check this ugh,
Baby like it raw
I don't even waste a magnum on her
Clean up amazing I appreciate the fashion on her
Badder than a mother fuck
Only right I pick her up
They way she got a wagon on her
When I'm on that road don't forget the bops when I'm in town
Not unless its for the three some if its poppin' she'll be down
Know these other joker be starin' but stop when I'm around
First to get inside them jeans she be hoppin' up and down
Let the world know that she ride think that eventually will break up
And I love it when we argue cause eventually we make up
I mean
We fight and fuck
We fuck and fight
We fuck some more
Every fuckin' night
Shape great, taste great, body softer than cashmere
Anytime her cheques drop she knows she can crash here
Them other broads is other broads
All of them is last year
Can't get mad I'm just stating facts here
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Girl you working with the killer
Ain’t nobody fucking with ya
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Never trippin' off the past
I would rather never mind 'em
'Cause only fools trip over somethin' that be behind em
And yesterday is history
Tomorrow's a mystery
She here at the present time
It feel like a gift when she put it down down
All the way down, you could get down but can you stay down?
Shout out to the ladies with your down asses
That keep a tight circle and 'em round asses
At the crib its just us nigga
Fuck me so good make me not trust niggas
That's my shit
I'm over protective
You want that good shit you know where your connect live
Told my ex don't be bitter be better
I replace her before I regret her
Text's now and then, that question how I been?
The hook sound like a message I would send.
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Girl you working with the killer
Ain’t nobody fucking with ya
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Twista
A down girl
I remember when I used to bag up in the basement with her
With the attraction of a Michael Jackson swag, but in this case a thriller
And she was a wolf not in sheep's clothin', but a grey chinchilla
Even though I found another assassin nigga never be your replacement killer
When I got up in the goods kinda good to me
But I know that she don't put it down like you
Cut from the bottom when you up when you pop on top
'Cause ain't nobody around like you
Pullin' back to me and I'm all up fully
When I'm pulling a palm full of hair
Finna lay you back and push you in every position
Giving it to you good with your Louie Vuitton's in the air
Got a bad new bitch
But she don't be trippin' don't cross with them flaws
But she don't be doin the way you be doin when you be working them walls
I’m bumpin some crank and planking fucking her good
But then you go frontin'
Steady cutting with bitches all on me
Cause I'm with Joe Budden, but what ho wasn't
I'll put you in the category of somebody that give it to me good but rubs a niggas nerves
Individual and I'm never particular but Ill never be with her so I kick her to the curb
I got a new woman and though I be buildin' her up to be better than you
She fine but don't know how to throw it back
So she can never be you
I done put another in your space
Damn if they do, it’s been hard to replace
I just want the same judge sitting on the case
She gon' hate, but she know
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
Girl you working with the killer
Ain’t nobody fucking with ya
She don’t put it down like you
Down-down like you, down-down like you, down-down like you
She don’t put it down like you
The song "She Did It" by Fabolous is a smooth yet explicit rap about a woman who is described as being beyond compare. The rapper talks about how he appreciates her fashion and cleanliness, and also mentions her enviable shape and taste. He compares this woman to all his past lovers and explains how nobody can measure up to her. While the song is definitely sexual in tone, it also focuses on the emotional connection between the rapper and the woman he’s singing about. They argue and fight, but always come back together because of their strong sexual chemistry. The lyrics express how much the rapper respects and appreciates this woman, and how nobody else can compare to her.
Line by Line Meaning
Ugh, shorty old news though
I'm not interested in girls I used to date
Yesterday paper
They're not current anymore
Check this ugh,
Listen up, pay attention
Baby like it raw
She prefers unprotected sex
I don't even waste a magnum on her
I don't need protection because she's clean
Clean up amazing I appreciate the fashion on her
She's always well dressed and looks great
Badder than a mother fuck
She's incredibly sexy and desirable
Ain't too many passin' on her
Guys find her irresistible
Only right I pick her up
I'm lucky to be with her
They way she got a wagon on her
She has a great body
When I'm on that road don't forget the bops when I'm in town
Don't forget to take her out when I'm back home
Not unless its for the three some if its poppin' she'll be down
She's open to having a threesome
Know these other joker be starin' but stop when I'm around
Guys are checking her out, but they don't approach when I'm there
First to get inside them jeans she be hoppin' up and down
She's always eager to have sex with me
Let the world know that she ride think that eventually will break up
We may break up in the future, but for now, we're a great match
And I love it when we argue cause eventually we make up
We fight sometimes, but it's always followed by great make-up sex
We fuck and fight
We have a passionate relationship filled with sex and drama
We fuck some more
We can't get enough of each other
Every fuckin' night
We have sex often
Shape great, taste great, body softer than cashmere
She's beautiful and her body feels great
Anytime her cheques drop she knows she can crash here
She can always stay with me if she needs to
Them other broads is other broads
Other women are irrelevant to me
All of them is last year
I'm not interested in any other women from my past
Can't get mad I'm just stating facts here
I'm just telling the truth
She don’t put it down like you
No one has sex with me like she does
Girl you working with the killer
She's amazing in bed
Ain’t nobody fucking with ya
No one can compare to her sexually
Never trippin' off the past
I don't dwell on our past experiences
I would rather never mind 'em
I'd rather not think about it
'Cause only fools trip over somethin' that be behind em
It's foolish to focus on the past
And yesterday is history
The past is over and done with
Tomorrow's a mystery
The future is uncertain
She here at the present time
She's here with me in the present
It feel like a gift when she put it down down
I feel fortunate to be with her
All the way down, you could get down but can you stay down?
She's good at sex, but can she commit?
Shout out to the ladies with your down asses
I appreciate women who are loyal and dependable
That keep a tight circle and 'em round asses
They have trustworthy friends and great bodies
At the crib its just us nigga
We spend a lot of time together at home
Fuck me so good make me not trust niggas
Sex with her is so good that it's hard to trust other people
That's my shit
I love her and our relationship
I'm over protective
I care about her and want to keep her safe
You want that good shit you know where your connect live
If you're looking for great sex, she's the one to go to
Told my ex don't be bitter be better
I want my ex to move on and improve her life
I replace her before I regret her
I ended things with my ex to avoid future regrets
Text's now and then, that question how I been?
My ex still reaches out to me occasionally
The hook sound like a message I would send.
This song represents my feelings towards my ex
A down girl
A reliable and trustworthy woman
I remember when I used to bag up in the basement with her
We used to be together all the time
With the attraction of a Michael Jackson swag, but in this case a thriller
She was very attractive and had great style
And she was a wolf not in sheep's clothin', but a grey chinchilla
She was confident and assertive
Even though I found another assassin nigga never be your replacement killer
I have a new girlfriend, but she can never replace you
When I got up in the goods kinda good to me
Sex with her was always satisfying
But I know that she don't put it down like you
No one compares to her in bed
Cut from the bottom when you up when you pop on top
We came from humble beginnings, but now we're on top together
'Cause ain't nobody around like you
She's truly one of a kind
Pullin' back to me and I'm all up fully
I'm invested in my new girl
When I'm pulling a palm full of hair
I love being intimate with her
Finna lay you back and push you in every position
I enjoy experimenting with sex positions with her
Giving it to you good with your Louie Vuitton's in the air
We're passionate and spontaneous when we have sex
Got a bad new bitch
I have a new girlfriend who's very attractive
But she don't be trippin' don't cross with them flaws
She's more easygoing and less jealous than my ex
But she don't be doin the way you be doin when you be working them walls
My new girlfriend isn't as good in bed as my ex
I’m bumpin some crank and planking fucking her good
I'm having great sex with my new girlfriend
But then you go frontin'
You're acting like you don't care, but it's not true
Steady cutting with bitches all on me
I'm surrounded by women who want to be with me
Cause I'm with Joe Budden, but what ho wasn't
I'm hanging out with Joe Budden and other famous people
I'll put you in the category of somebody that give it to me good but rubs a niggas nerves
You're amazing in bed, but sometimes you annoy me
Individual and I'm never particular but Ill never be with her so I kick her to the curb
I'm single and not looking for anything serious at the moment
I got a new woman and though I be buildin' her up to be better than you
I'm trying to move on and build a better relationship
She fine but don't know how to throw it back
My new girlfriend isn't as good in bed as my ex
So she can never be you
No one can compare to my ex
I done put another in your space
I started dating someone new
Damn if they do, it’s been hard to replace
No one has measured up to you
I just want the same judge sitting on the case
I want the same person to judge our relationship
She gon' hate, but she know
My new girlfriend may not like it, but she knows how amazing you are in bed
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DURRELL BABBS, DWAYNE CARTER, TYLER WILLIAMS, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind