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."
Supa
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out here talkin' like they superman or somethin'
These niggas ain't supa nigga
A yo you ain't got a S on your chest
You ain't supa nigga
Go put a vest on your chest
Don't be a stupid nigga
You ain't supa nigga
They put yellow tape up dog
For the stupid niggas
Its a bird its a plane
Nah that's a nigga gettin' murdered again
Musta been stupid, absurd, or insane
They left him on a stoop,
With a third of his brain
Oozin out the rite not me
I'm bringin' my uzi out tonight
And if I ain't got a strap
Then I'm usually outta sight
A nigga ain't shook I'm just a believer
Them shotgun lids shots
Will Christopher reeve ya
And niggas don't care if your as strong as a locomotive
I told him to do it, thas my nigga loco motive
And he don't even noe his name
But he'll ride up cocked
And blow his brain, all over his louis lane
Don't scream, lets not be a stupid woman
I'll squeeze a lil mully, or I'm bein' super woman
'cause baby
They can't
Save you
Wen my
Blaze you
With my
Mac-a
Leven
32 shots, thas enough to get you all killed
So if I was you
I'd take my ass back to smallville
In this song, Fabolous is criticizing people who see themselves as superhuman, acting as if they are invincible and cannot be hurt. He warns them to be careful and stay vigilant, not to act stupidly or get caught up in their delusions. Fabolous suggests that these delusions might be dangerous and can lead to violence.
He also points out the reality of violence in the streets, describing a scene of someone getting murdered and then warning that it could happen to anyone who doesn't take precautions. He mentions the infamous Superman actor Christopher Reeve and suggests that even someone as powerful as him would be vulnerable to gunshots.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overconfidence and a reminder that everyone, even the most powerful, needs to be careful in the face of violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck is wrong wit these niggas man
Fabolous is questioning the mentality of certain individuals.
Out here talkin' like they superman or somethin'
Some people are talking as if they possess superhuman abilities.
These niggas ain't supa nigga
Fabolous denounces the notion that certain individuals are 'super.'
A yo you ain't got a S on your chest
Fabolous points out that certain individuals are not actual superheroes.
You ain't supa nigga
Fabolous reiterates that somebody is not a 'supa nigga.'
Go put a vest on your chest
Fabolous advises someone to wear protective gear.
Don't be a stupid nigga
Fabolous implores someone not to behave foolishly.
Hang the cape up dog
Fabolous tells someone to stop pretending to be a superhero.
They put yellow tape up dog
Fabolous refers to crime scenes which are demarcated with yellow tape.
For the stupid niggas
Fabolous is suggesting that such crime scenes are commonly the result of stupidity.
Its a bird its a plane
Fabolous references the topic of superheroes.
Nah that's a nigga gettin' murdered again
Fabolous clarifies that it is not a superhero, but somebody being killed.
Musta been stupid, absurd, or insane
Fabolous gives potential reasons for somebody being killed.
They left him on a stoop,
With a third of his brain
Oozin out the rite
Fabolous describes the severe extent of an individual's injuries.
not me
I'm bringin' my uzi out tonight
And if I ain't got a strap
Then I'm usually outta sight
Fabolous explains that he will protect himself with a firearm in certain, dangerous situations.
A nigga ain't shook I'm just a believer
Fabolous asserts that he is not afraid, but rather, has faith in himself.
Them shotgun lids shots
Will Christopher reeve ya
Fabolous refers to a specific type of shotgun projectile that can kill instantly.
And niggas don't care if your as strong as a locomotive
Fabolous asserts that people will be indifferent to somebody's abilities in violent instances.
I told him to do it, thas my nigga loco motive
Fabolous refers to having influenced someone's actions.
And he don't even noe his name
But he'll ride up cocked
And blow his brain, all over his louis lane
Fabolous references somebody who is willing to kill ruthlessly, regardless of their ignorance or lack of motivation.
Don't scream, lets not be a stupid woman
Fabolous advises somebody not to scream during a dangerous occasion.
I'll squeeze a lil mully, or I'm bein' super woman
Fabolous says that they will take action to protect their own safety, even if it means resorting to violence.
'cause baby
They can't
Save you
Wen my
Blaze you
With my
Mac-a
Leven
Fabolous declares that nobody can save someone when he attacks with a specific firearm.
32 shots, thas enough to get you all killed
Fabolous emphasizes the deadliness of his weapon.
So if I was you
I'd take my ass back to smallville
Fabolous advises somebody to retreat from any dangerous altercation and return to safety.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ACKLINS KHALIYL DILLON, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind