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."
There He Go
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might see a nigga' if ya look up in the sky like,
There he go, (there he go)
There he go, (there he go)
There go that motherfucker.
I'm so fly (so fly), so fly (so fly)
You might see me when you look up in the sky like,
There she go (there she go)
There go that motherfucker.
I'm so fly they should be me in skies
My sheets tight like they ain't put me in my size
"I already know, he gon' put me on surprise"
They gon' be like, "there he go! " if you put me in disguise
Only be with winners, they should put me as a prize
And you pussy nigga should be put between some thighs
These diamonds here are clearer then H.D.
'Em niggas over there are squarer then a H3
They can't reach us, that is why the pointin' baby
I'm on my job, 'em bitches gon' need appointments baby
And if you suckers try to see me, you just look me up
I hope the first place, you look me up, here I go!
So fly (so fly), so fly (so fly),
You might see a nigga' if ya look up in the sky like,
There he go, (there he go)
There he go, (there he go)
There go that motherfucker.
I'm so fly (so fly), so fly (so fly)
You might see me when you look up in the sky like,
There she go (there she go)
There she go (there she go)
There go that motherfucker.
Uh, I did it, yep yep, I did it.
I'm super fly with' it, paper arrive with' it
Get the magazine if you wanna' Vibe with' it
That rich, young clean like I mixed tide with' it
Now I be live with' it, I turns all my lovers
To lollipop girls, now they all suckers
And we all are gutter, the fliest of 'em all
Light, L-Light fire to 'em all
? we're air bourne, I took her air bourne
Stones clear, like my mom's miss Clair Bourne
I'm goin' down, down baby,
Yo' street's in a spur, flyin' you see the blur, uh
What else?
So fly (so fly), so fly (so fly),
You might see a nigga' if ya look up in the sky like,
There he go, (there he go)
There he go, (there he go)
There go that motherfucker.
I'm so fly (so fly), so fly (so fly)
You might see me when you look up in the sky like,
There she go (there she go)
There she go (there she go)
There go that motherfucker.
(There he go) I'm doin' my damn thing
(There he go) Leanin' off of that champagne
(There he go) It's the homie, they call Cain
I'm gettin' money, you fools should do the same
(There he go) Fly as a G4
(There he go) White and yellow's all on chain
(There he go) Y'all niggas know I,
Stay so fly, gotta' top down when I blow by, with' the doh I, multy
You know why
So fly (so fly), so fly (so fly),
You might see a nigga' if ya look up in the sky like,
There he go, (there he go)
There he go, (there he go)
There go that motherfucker.
I'm so fly (so fly), so fly (so fly)
You might see me when you look up in the sky like,
There she go (there she go)
There she go (there she go)
There go that motherfucker
In Fabolous's song "There He Go," he raps about how he's so fly that people might see him in the sky when they look up. He boasts about his wealth and status, saying that he should be put in the skies with the clouds. Throughout the song, he uses hyperbolic language to emphasize his greatness, claiming that his diamonds are clearer than H.D. and that he turns all of his "lovers to lollipop girls." He also mentions that he only associates with winners and that he's always on his grind.
These lyrics reflect Fabolous's confidence and self-assuredness. He believes he is on top of the world and is unapologetic about his success. However, some critics have pointed out that his lyrics can be seen as materialistic and shallow, focusing solely on his wealth and status. Despite this, the song remains one of Fabolous's most popular and is often played at parties and clubs.
Line by Line Meaning
So fly (so fly), so fly (so fly),
You might see a nigga' if ya look up in the sky like,
There he go, (there he go)
There he go, (there he go)
There go that motherfucker.
I'm so confident in myself and my success that I may as well be flying up in the sky. People will recognize me and call out 'there he goes' because of how much of a boss I am.
I'm so fly they should be me in skies
My sheets tight like they ain't put me in my size
"I already know, he gon' put me on surprise"
They gon' be like, "there he go! " if you put me in disguise
I'm so successful that I deserve to be in the sky. My sheets are so tight because I refuse to be average. Everyone knows I'm going to be successful and they'd still recognize me even if I was in disguise.
Only be with winners, they should put me as a prize
And you pussy nigga should be put between some thighs
These diamonds here are clearer then H.D.
'Em niggas over there are squarer then a H3
I only surround myself with people who are successful like me. I'm the real prize and everyone else should be happy to be in my orbit. My diamonds are clearer than anything anyone else has, especially those other guys who are so basic they're as square as an H3 car.
They can't reach us, that is why the pointin' baby
I'm on my job, 'em bitches gon' need appointments baby
And if you suckers try to see me, you just look me up
I hope the first place, you look me up, here I go!
I'm so successful that the average person can't even reach me. Everyone else needs to schedule an appointment if they want to get close to me. And if anyone tries to find me, I'm easy to locate because I'm always on top.
Uh, I did it, yep yep, I did it.
I'm super fly with' it, paper arrive with' it
Get the magazine if you wanna' Vibe with' it
That rich, young clean like I mixed tide with' it
I've achieved success and everyone knows it. I'm cool and confident, and money always comes with it. If you want to know more about me, read about it in magazines. I'm so fresh and clean that it's like I mixed Tide laundry detergent with it.
Now I be live with' it, I turns all my lovers
To lollipop girls, now they all suckers
And we all are gutter, the fliest of 'em all
Light, L-Light fire to 'em all
? we're air bourne, I took her air bourne
Stones clear, like my mom's miss Clair Bourne
I'm goin' down, down baby,
Yo' street's in a spur, flyin' you see the blur, uh
I'm living my best life and everyone wants to be with me. I'm so successful that I can turn any girl into a fan. We may come from tough backgrounds, but we are still the coolest and most successful people out there. We're so high up that we're in the air, and I'm bringing anyone close to me along with me. My jewelry is so clear that it's like my mother's friend Miss Clair Bourne. I may be going down the street but I'm still moving fast and leaving everyone else in the dust.
(There he go) I'm doin' my damn thing
(There he go) Leanin' off of that champagne
(There he go) It's the homie, they call Cain
I'm gettin' money, you fools should do the same
(There he go) Fly as a G4
(There he go) White and yellow's all on chain
(There he go) Y'all niggas know I,
Stay so fly, gotta' top down when I blow by, with' the doh I, multy
You know why
I'm consistently killing it in everything I do. I'm always indulging in champagne because I deserve it. I'm known by the name Cain, and I'm making bank- everyone else should do the same. I'm as fly as a G4 and my jewelry is one of a kind. Everyone knows I always keep the top down on my mode of transportation because I'm always moving forward and enjoying life. And everyone knows why- because I'm a boss.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANNY SCHOFIELD, WINSTON THOMAS, FABOLOUS, WINSTON ATKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind