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."
Still Can't Deny It
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't wanna fuck with me (yeah)
Got skills in the trunk with me (ok)
Switchin lanes, do a buck with me (that's right)
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna bang with me (yeah)
And you know I brought my gang with me (ok)
Niggaz trip, I got my thang with me
Yo, if they want it, cowards get it
They still wonder how I did it
Now y'all wit it, these niggaz see how I spit it
Huh, these bitches see how I kit it
You can hear my coupe a block away
Bitches be yellin, "Let Me Ride" like they Snoop and Dr. Dre
I keep spittin, them clips copped on those calicos
Keep shittin, with ziplocks of that cali dro'
Keep hittin, and shift blocks for that cali dough
Keep gettin, my tip rocked by them cali hoes
It's William Bonnie, still the mamis
Dance closely, even though they feelin blinded
I ain't tryin to send police to ya rest
I'm tryin to put this, piece to ya chest
and you in piece wit the rest
You can release to the press - this how G's ride
From the North to the South to the East to the West, let's go
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna fuck with me (yeah)
Got skills in the trunk with me (ok)
Switchin lanes, do a buck with me (that's right)
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna bang with me (yeah)
And you know I brought my gang with me (ok)
Niggaz trip, I got my thang with me
Yo ma, I got you stuck off the realness
The name's Fabolous, you heard I be
In them trucks wit the wheels glissed
In V.I.P, with buckets of chilled Cris'
'click, click', who the fuck wanna feel this
I still got them blocks movin, and the system in my truck
that can make it feel like the block's movin
My 6-4's, wit the wheels and the shocks movin
Them boys in blue with the shields and the glocks movin
(You can't deny it) I'm the same ol' G
The Guc' frames got the same gold G
Duke can you frame O-3, cause if you see me on ya corner wit a 40
It ain't gonna be named Olde E
I might be in Chuck T's, or the chuckers
And if you duck cheese I'ma fuck her, duck these motherfucker
Ghetto Fabolous, nigga I ride 'til I die
Hollerin 1-8-7 when I ride through the Stuy, fool
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna fuck with me (yeah)
Got skills in the trunk with me (ok)
Switchin lanes, do a buck with me (that's right)
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna bang with me (yeah)
And you know I brought my gang with me (ok)
Niggaz trip, I got my thang with me
It ain't really dat hard, to get fucked up
Its really quite easy, just step up
I'ma knock him so hard, on his butt
Just like he been drinkin, like he drunk
The fat bitch stood up, just stood up
She bout to be steamin, turn it up
You wont hear a thang, know you won't
You too busy sleepin, won't wake up
You can't deny it
The kid pull the four out a little quicker
You might end up the reason, ya homies
will have to pour out a little liquor
Every stack that a draws out a little thicker
I get brain, kick the whores out a little quicker
You kids rap that's cool
But the kid's wrapped in jewels, the kid clapped that tool
Kidnap that fool, you don't wanna wake up gettin told
that ya kids trapped at school
When the time's right, I'ma put this nine right
to the left side of ya head, push ya mind right
It's still nothin but a G thang, I thought you knew
And I'm bout to do the numbers that they thought you do
Still don't know me, still jump in a Lex
The chain so icey, I got chill bumps on my neck
The NARCS heard, how the krills pump in the jet
Still bumpin ya dex, still dumpin the tec, still
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna fuck with me (yeah)
Got skills in the trunk with me (ok)
Switchin lanes, do a buck with me (that's right)
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna bang with me (yeah)
And you know I brought my gang with me (ok)
Niggaz trip, I got my thang with me
Yea
That's right
Yea, ok
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna fuck with me (yeah)
Got skills in the trunk with me (ok)
Switchin lanes, do a buck with me (that's right)
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
You don't wanna bang with me (yeah)
And you know I brought my gang with me (ok)
Niggaz trip, I got my thang with me
In Fabolous's "Can't Deny It," the rapper boasts about his street credibility and assertiveness. The first verse of the song emphasizes Fabolous's confidence, and the fact that he cannot be denied or underestimated as a "rider." He places a special emphasis on the fact that he brings his gang with him, which demonstrates his willingness to assert his power to defend himself at all times. The second verse additionally describes Fabolous's position in the rap game and his skills with the ladies, all the while further emphasizing his capacity for violence.
Ultimately, the song "Can't Deny It" is a classic street anthem that encapsulates the attitude and swagger of the rap genre in the early 2000s. Packed with heavy beats and memorable lyrics, it serves as a testament to Fabolous's toughness and ability to command respect in the tough, unrelenting world of rap.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all cant deny it, I'ma fuckin rider
I am a skilled and fearless driver, and no one can deny it
You don't wanna fuck with me (yeah)
Others should not mess with me because I am not someone to be messed with
Got skills in the trunk with me (ok)
I have skills and tools hidden in my car's trunk, ready to be used if needed
Switchin lanes, do a buck with me (that's right)
I am able to easily and quickly navigate through traffic while driving at high speeds
And you know I brought my gang with me (ok)
I am not alone and have my crew with me to back me up
Niggaz trip, I got my thang with me
If anyone causes trouble, I have a weapon on me
Yo ma, I got you stuck off the realness
I am showing you the truth and it is having an impact on you
The name's Fabolous, you heard I be
You already know who I am, my reputation precedes me
In them trucks wit the wheels glissed
I ride in fancy cars with shiny wheels
My 6-4's, wit the wheels and the shocks movin
My cars are equipped with impressive shock absorbers and their wheels move smoothly
It ain't gonna be named Olde E
I am not drinking low-quality alcohol, I have better taste than that
Ghetto Fabolous, nigga I ride 'til I die
I am a street-savvy and tough person, and I will continue to live life on my terms until death
You can't deny it
It is impossible to ignore or deny the truth that I am presenting
The kid pull the four out a little quicker
I can quickly access my gun if needed
Every stack that a draws out a little thicker
Every time I make money, my wealth grows larger and more impressive
I get brain, kick the whores out a little quicker
I am a player and take advantage of women who are willing to hook up with me
The chain so icey, I got chill bumps on my neck
My jewelry is so impressive and expensive that it gives me physical chills
Still bumpin ya dex, still dumpin the tec, still
I am still listening to music and carrying my gun, nothing has changed
Yea
An affirmation or agreement with the previous statement
That's right
An affirmation or agreement with the previous statement
Ok
A casual and dismissive response
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NATHANIEL D HALE, JOHN JACKSON, RICARDO THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind