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."
Talk About It
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You gon' listen today, no
Can we talk about the lives being taken?
Can we talk about the guns going off and the false accusations?
I'm afraid of my own generation, can we talk about it? No
Can we talk, can we talk 'bout the blood on the pavement?
I bet they gon' be afraid to play this song on rotation
Baby, can we talk about it? Hey, oh no
(Yup, we most certainly can)
Can we talk about it? No, no
(And I ain't gon' take too much of your time)
Yeah, first thing they say is stop killing
But can we talk about the cop killings?
Before we talk about the crack dealing
They acting like blacks ain't got feelings
Knowledge of self is through wisdom
So can we talk about the school system?
Young girls raped and knocked up
Will Hillary release niggas that Bill locked up?
Can we talk about the cost of living?
We can talk about guns, but we forced to get 'em
It's a new race every time you cross the ribbon
Might've skipped the beat, but we never lost the rhythm
You don't understand so you ain't able to feel it
When my momma's in pain, I ain't able to heal it
Fatigues and field boots, the outer wear
Sponsor what, vote for who, fuck outta here
Can we talk about the lives being taken?
Can we talk about the guns going off and the false accusations?
I'm afraid of my own generation, can we talk about it? No
Can we talk, can we talk 'bout the blood on the pavement?
I bet they gon' be afraid to play this song on rotation
But I'ma talk about it, well I'ma talk about it, baby
Can we talk about it? (We can't remain silence)
Can we talk about it? (We gotta speak up)
Can we talk about it? (They say it's justice)
Can we talk about it? (I feel like it's just us)
Look, I know y'all tired of talkin' and going to demonstrations
But if we don't speak up, you help the discrimination
We need a one-on-one before it's goes gun on gun
People skip the front page 'til they see they son on one
And now it's too late to talk, the topic has changed
They shootin' at black targets like these cops at a range
Can we talk how many died for the birth of a nation?
And how this national anthem ain't worth my ovation?
And if I am standin' up, I'ma stand up for equality
It's brutality, we need more than that apology
Can we talk about it, not just artists, but the players too
Y'all on the field, not the mic, but y'all can say it too
We need more Kaepernick and just what the rapper kickin'
We need more than Instagram posts with smart captions
Black actors, stop actin' and start action
Kerr got the credit, forgot about Mark Jackson, damn
Can we talk about the lives being taken?
Can we talk about the guns going off and the false accusations?
I'm afraid of my own generation, can we talk about it? No
Can we talk, can we talk 'bout the blood on the pavement?
I bet they gon' be afraid to play this song on rotation
But I'ma talk about it, well I'ma talk about it, baby
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it? (May I have your attention, please)
Sensitive subject, but can we talk about it? (yeah)
Step straight to it, not try to walk around it? (nah)
How we make America great again? (how?)
If we open up the doors and let haters in
Wow, it's nothin', we winners
But that could all change, since Trump won, we finished
Much realer than we thought
I'm sayin' all I really wanna know is can we talk
Can we talk for a minute?
I just want to know, know, know
Can we talk for a minute?
I gotta know right now, yeah
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it?
The lyrics of Fabolous's song "Talk About It" confront the alarming statistics of violence and discrimination faced by Black Americans. The song begins with the rapper asking the audience for their attention as he raises the issue of lives lost to police brutality and the prevalence of gun violence in Black communities. The artist then delves into the deep-rooted racial biases still present in society, citing the school system and prison policies that disproportionately harm African Americans. He implores his listeners to be courageous in speaking out against injustice and acknowledges the difficulty of discussing such sensitive topics.
Throughout the song, Fabolous highlights the importance of going beyond surface-level conversations and taking meaningful action to effect change. He encourages individuals across various platforms to use their voices and platforms to bring awareness to these issues, from everyday citizens to athletes and artists. He also touches upon the concept of making America "great again" and the dangers of opening up society to hate.
Overall, "Talk About It" serves as a call to action against systemic racism and the violence faced by Black Americans, urging listeners to take part in the ongoing fight for justice.
Line by Line Meaning
I got something to say, no
I have something important to say today.
You gon' listen today, no
Listen to me today.
Can we talk about the lives being taken?
Can we discuss the recent loss of lives?
Can we talk about the guns going off and the false accusations?
Can we talk about the issue of guns and false accusations?
I'm afraid of my own generation, can we talk about it? No
I'm scared about the current generation.
Can we talk, can we talk 'bout the blood on the pavement?
Can we talk about the blood on the roads?
I bet they gon' be afraid to play this song on rotation
I am sure many people may be hesitant to promote this song.
But I'ma talk about it, well I'ma talk about it
But I'm going to address the issue anyway.
Baby, can we talk about it? Hey, oh no
Hey, can we talk about it?
Can we talk about it? No, no
No, we cannot talk about it right now.
Yeah, first thing they say is stop killing
The first request often made is to end the killings.
But can we talk about the cop killings?
However, can we speak about the killings committed by cops?
Before we talk about the crack dealing
Before we point fingers to drug dealers,
They acting like blacks ain't got feelings
People are acting like Black people don't have emotions.
Knowledge of self is through wisdom
Understanding oneself comes from gaining knowledge.
So can we talk about the school system?
Can we discuss the school system?
Young girls raped and knocked up
Teenage girls are being raped and becoming pregnant.
Will Hillary release niggas that Bill locked up?
Will Hillary Clinton free the prisoners former President Bill Clinton has incarcerated?
Can we talk about the cost of living?
Can we bring up the issue of the cost of living?
We can talk about guns, but we forced to get 'em
We can talk about guns, but sometimes, we feel compelled to obtain them.
It's a new race every time you cross the ribbon
It's a new challenge every time one achieves something.
Might've skipped the beat, but we never lost the rhythm
We may have lost our way at times, but we did not lose our momentum.
You don't understand so you ain't able to feel it
You can't empathize if you don't understand the situation.
When my momma's in pain, I ain't able to heal it
I can't heal my mother's pain.
Fatigues and field boots, the outer wear
Fatigue and field boots are military combat shoes.
Sponsor what, vote for who, fuck outta here
Why sponsor, why vote, leave me alone.
Look, I know y'all tired of talkin' and going to demonstrations
I know people are tired of constantly protesting and talking.
But if we don't speak up, you help the discrimination
However, if we don't voice out our concerns, we're contributing to discrimination.
We need a one-on-one before it's goes gun on gun
We need to converse before the situation becomes violent.
People skip the front page 'til they see they son on one
People avoid reading the news until they see their loved ones involved.
And now it's too late to talk, the topic has changed
When people realize it's too late to speak out the issue has evolved.
They shootin' at black targets like these cops at a range
Cops shoot black people as if they're merely shooting at a target in a shooting range.
Can we talk how many died for the birth of a nation?
Can we acknowledge how many people died for the birth of this nation.
And how this national anthem ain't worth my ovation?
The National Anthem is not deserving of my applause.
And if I am standin' up, I'ma stand up for equality
If I choose to stand up, it's because I want equality.
It's brutality, we need more than that apology
Brutality is unacceptable, and an apology is not sufficient.
Not just artists, but the players too
It's not just the artists; athletes also have a responsibility.
Y'all on the field, not the mic, but y'all can say it too
Athletes should voice out their concerns just like artists do.
We need more Kaepernick and just what the rapper kickin'
We need more outspoken athletes like Colin Kaepernick and rappers with a message.
We need more than Instagram posts with smart captions
Posting on Instagram with wise words is not enough.
Black actors, stop actin' and start action
Black actors should start taking action instead of just playing roles.
Kerr got the credit, forgot about Mark Jackson, damn
Steve Kerr received all the accolades while Mark Jackson was overlooked.
Sensitive subject, but can we talk about it? (yeah)
This is a sensitive subject, but can we hold a conversation about it?
Step straight to it, not try to walk around it? (nah)
Can we go straight to the point and not beat around the bush?
How we make America great again? (how?)
How can we make America great again?
If we open up the doors and let haters in
If we allow prejudiced people into our country.
Wow, it's nothin', we winners
We can overcome any hurdle.
But that could all change, since Trump won, we finished
But since Trump's presidency, our future is uncertain.
Much realer than we thought
The situation is harsher than we imagined.
I'm sayin' all I really wanna know is can we talk
All I want to know is, can we have a dialogue?
Can we talk for a minute?
Can we have a conversation?
I just want to know, know, know
I just want to learn.
I gotta know right now, yeah
I need to know right now.
Can we talk about it?
Can we talk about the issue?
May I have your attention, please
Can I have your undivided attention?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John David Jackson, Jason Phillips, Liana Banks, Mark Henry, Tyrell McRae, Dwight Brandon, Teyana Taylor, Kenneth Edmonds, Daryl Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind