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."
Take U Home
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, F-A, be -O, L-O, you-S
see'mon, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, yeah, yeah, see'mon
(If I take you home, will you still be my thug baby)
You gotta love the way this playa be minglin
If you don't tell yo man mama, I ain't sayin a thing and
That nigga got you used to the H.N.O. Kingsten
By the way I be blingin, the pay that I bring in
Mind spendin a day with the kingpin?
Answer yo cell, all day it been ringin
Tell that nigga, we on our way out to England
Them hips and tips, the way they be swingin
The way the be jinglin, letz stay til the spring and
Know I thugged you out, the way that you drinkin
And don't be scared cabby, the Yay I be slingin
Ma, I'm where you want to be, if not
We can hop in a lid and fly where you want to be
Yea, you a G, the type that ryde with them cameraz
Instead of the rearviews on the V, I know
[Chrous] (Lil' Mo)
I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be my thug baby
Because I need one tonight
I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be my thug baby
Because I need one tonight
[Verse 2]
Allright, okay...
You just gotta stay patient boo
I'm a make sure to take you, where eva you dream a vacation to
You can push the grey station through
I'm a sit in the passanger, and rock PlayStation 2
How da hell [unknown] been tweekin out
How you been sneekin out, spent weekends out
She'll be tired of trainin dat month
You probably be fakin' like you came and you ain't even nut
Miss I'll pipe you til you get a pain in yo gut
The kid'll be responsible for changin yo struck
Wherever you hurt, I'ma rub it down
I be ready to smack it up, flip it in public now
I know how to get you hot, I know how to hit yo spot
If I take you home, I know how to keep you stylin
I know how to keep you smilin if I take you home, let's go
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
I think it's just that ladies ???
I'm in love with my red 6, and got a crush on a navy Caddy
I like'em deepcut, bust, with crazy fatties
They be wishin' I was just, they baby daddy
I'm the one that make it real easy
For you to just drop'em like he hot, like he Lil' Weezy
I ain't goin' never make you feel sleezy
And I'm a put the roof up on the drop if it feel breezy
I love the way you smerk and giggle, jerk and wiggle
Throw yo legs up while I work the middle
Already told me how you strictly be witt'em
Now I'm a show you so much cash, that you'll quickly forget'em
I'm young, but know I'll have you in a bungalow
Fillin' yo stomach wit Cris, yo lungz with dro
I'll have you sprung fa sho
It ain't goin' be no limit where yo tongue will go, ya heard me?
[Chorus until fade]
In the song "Take You Home" by Fabolous feat. Lil' Mo, the rapper is propositioning a woman for a night of passion while acknowledging her "thug" persona. He begins by trying to charm her and separate her from her man back home, promising her a luxurious lifestyle and even a trip to England. He then brags about his sexual prowess and ability to please her, promising to keep her happy and satisfied. He acknowledges her love for the thug lifestyle and offers to be her partner in crime, suggesting that he can fulfill her desires better than anyone else.
The song is essentially about flirtation and seduction, and the rapper uses his charm and swagger to try and win over the woman. The lyrics are explicit and contain sexual references, but the overall message is one of carefree enjoyment and living in the moment. The chorus, sung by Lil' Mo, repeats the central question: if she takes him home, will he still be her "thug baby"? It's a reminder that even in this moment of passion and desire, the woman is still attached to her thug identity, and the rapper must accept her completely if he wants to be with her.
Line by Line Meaning
You gotta love the way this playa be minglin
You have to admire how I socialize with others.
If you don't tell yo man mama, I ain't sayin a thing and
If you keep our interactions a secret from your significant other, I won't reveal anything either.
That nigga got you used to the H.N.O. Kingsten
That guy has accustomed you to the lifestyle of H.N.O. Kingsten.
I'm fuckin limbos, lay on the wingfin
I'm having sex and enjoying luxury in the process.
By the way I be blingin, the pay that I bring in
Based on how much money I make and my flashy jewelry, would you like to spend time with me?
Mind spendin a day with the kingpin?
Would you like to spend time with me, the kingpin?
Answer yo cell, all day it been ringin
Can you pick up your phone, it's been ringing all day.
Tell that nigga, we on our way out to England
Tell him that we're leaving for England soon.
Them hips and tips, the way they be swingin
The way your hips and lips move is attractive.
Letz stay til the spring and
Let's stay here until spring.
Know I thugged you out, the way that you drinkin
I know that I have influenced you to drink and live a thug life.
And don't be scared cabby, the Yay I be slingin
Don't worry, taxi driver, I'm not carrying anything illegal.
Ma, I'm where you want to be, if not
If you don't want to be here, we can go anywhere you want.
We can hop in a lid and fly where you want to be
We can get in a car and go anywhere you desire.
Yea, you a G, the type that ryde with them cameraz
You're a gangster, the type who travels with cameras.
Instead of the rearviews on the V, I know
Instead of looking at the rearview mirrors on the vehicle, I have other ideas in mind.
I wonder if I take you home
I'm curious if you'll come with me.
Would you still be my thug baby
Will you continue to be my tough, gangster partner?
Because I need one tonight
I want a partner tonight.
You just gotta stay patient boo
Please be patient with me, darling.
I'm a make sure to take you, where eva you dream a vacation to
I'll make sure to take you wherever you want to vacation.
You can push the grey station through
You can drive the grey station wagon.
I'm a sit in the passanger, and rock PlayStation 2
I'll sit in the passenger seat and play PlayStation 2.
How da hell [unknown] been tweekin out
I wonder how that person is doing?
How you been sneekin out, spent weekends out
Have you been sneaking out, spending weekends elsewhere?
She'll be tired of trainin dat month
That person will be tired from working hard that month.
You probably be fakin' like you came and you ain't even nut
You might pretend that you had an orgasm, even though you didn't.
Miss I'll pipe you til you get a pain in yo gut
I'll have sex with you until you get cramps from it.
The kid'll be responsible for changin yo struck
I'll be the one who changes your good fortune.
Wherever you hurt, I'ma rub it down
I'll massage your sore spots.
I be ready to smack it up, flip it in public now
I'm ready to have public sex with you.
I love the way you smerk and giggle, jerk and wiggle
I love the way you smile, giggle, and move your body.
Throw yo legs up while I work the middle
Spread your legs while I have sex with you.
Already told me how you strictly be witt'em
You already told me that you only deal with certain types of people.
Now I'm a show you so much cash, that you'll quickly forget'em
I'm going to show you so much money that you'll forget about those other people.
I'm young, but know I'll have you in a bungalow
Even though I'm young, I know I can take care of you in a nice bungalow.
Fillin' yo stomach wit Cris, yo lungz with dro
I'll make sure you're drinking Cristal and smoking weed.
It ain't goin' be no limit where yo tongue will go, ya heard me?
We can have fun without limits, if you understand what I'm saying.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CURTIS T. BEDEAU, GERARD CHARLES, HUGH CLARKE, BRIAN GEORGE, LUCIEN GEORGE, PAUL ANTHONY GEORGE, KEN IFILL, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, ERNESTO SHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind