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."
Up On Things
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, Yeah
Walk with me west coast
Yeah, Uh
It's the coast to coast "g" on the check in
Yeah, Uh, Ride, Ride, Ride, Uh.
[Fabolous]
Fabolous is the name, street fam is the game
Screamin' 718 while them hammers bang
Like bludda ludda lacca bludda ludda lacca
Kick game like I know a little bit of socca
Spic, dames, ass and a little bit of knockas
Give them nick names and a little bit of vodka
Then I'm game change, (A very freaky girl)
You know who got the gold like the kid from "The Last Dragon"
You know who got the low on the spokes and the ass saggin'
You know who got the gold that'll have your ass gaggin'
You know who got the boat that'll have the task naggin'
But I fuck bitches, and get money
My truck switches like,
You got to duck bitches when you get twenties
And plug switches that make you sit funny
I'm a rider..
[Chorus: Snoop Dogg (Fabolous)]
If you ain't up on things
(Don't come close to me
Unless you ride like you supposed to be)
If you ain't up on things
(Don't come close to me
Unless you pimpin' like you supposed to be)
If you ain't up on things
(Don't come close to me
Unless you banging like you supposed to be)
If you ain't up on things
(Don't come close to me
Unless you gangsta like you supposed to be)
[Fabolous]
c'mon, you know its g's up C.O.'s down
If I freeze up its kilos now
Pick trees up its 3-4 pounds
Fill the bees up 'til these bro's drown
I snatch a few g's up and flea those towns
Busta's freeze up when my "v" slow down
I ease up with these 4 pounds
Squeeze up to 3-4 rounds
I pick these up its G code now
Ya'll better call the D's up before I reload now
I'm "The Boss" something like Springsteen
I got something that bring green
That look something like string beans
I make sure the hustlers keep something to sling the fiends
White, yellow, and a little something that bling green
We going to blast if we going I been doing
this since Jabbar was hooking off the glass in the forum (ghetto)
Your grandparents has to assume
Cause the face look like a magnifying glass on the poem (oh boy)
[Snoop Dogg (Fabolous)]
If you ain't up on things
(Don't come close to me
Unless you ride like you supposed to be)
If you ain't up on things
(Don't come close to me
Unless you pimpin' like you supposed to be)
[Bridge: Snoop Dogg]
So my niggas (niggas)
They get money (money)
Throw your motherfucking hand in the air (in the air)
And if you up on things and you don't give a fuck
Let me hear y'all niggas scream oh yeah (oh yeah)
And all my bitches (bitches)
They get money (money)
Throw your motherfucking hand in the air (in the air)
And if you up on things and you don't give a fuck
Let me hear y'all bitches scream oh yeah (oh yeah)
[Fabolous]
It's the kid with the D. O. double G.
After blowing 3-4 dubs of trees
My eyes are below double g's
After sipping pin-o bubbly skee-o rubbing me
We'll probably go below publicly
I'm a coast to coast G I keep the toast to mostly
For those who pose to closely (backup)
Keep a piece in the vest that's how we ride
From the north to the south to the east to the west
[Bridge]
In Fabolous's song "Up On Things," he talks about his street reputation and how he has made his presence known as a part of the "street fam." He begins by saying that if people don't know what's going on in his world, they should stay away from him. Fabolous emphasizes his connection to the West Coast and declares himself to be a "coast to coast G." He talks about the gang and drug culture, while also referencing his success with women and his flashy lifestyle. He mentions his truck and how he switches up his style depending on the situation.
The chorus of the song is performed by Snoop Dogg, who reinforces Fabolous's statement that people should not come close to them unless they are "up on things." Snoop Dogg emphasizes his gangsta reputation, telling people not to mess with him unless they are of a similar mind. The bridge of the song brings together Fabolous and Snoop Dogg and speaks to the idea of making money no matter what, which is a theme throughout the song.
Overall, "Up On Things" is a song that speaks to the street culture of drugs, gangs, and money, with an emphasis on the flashy lifestyle that comes with it. Fabolous and Snoop Dogg have strong reputations in the rap world, and this song showcases their confidence and swagger.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ain't up on things
If you're out of touch with what's happening
Fabolous is the name, street fam is the game
This is who I am and what I represent on the streets
Screamin' 718 while them hammers bang
Representing his hometown and the sound of gunshots
Like bludda ludda lacca bludda ludda lacca
Adding some flavor to the verse with made-up words
Kick game like I know a little bit of socca
Showing off his skills with the ladies
Spic, dames, ass and a little bit of knockas
Referring to different types of women and their attributes
Give them nick names and a little bit of vodka
Having fun with the ladies after a few drinks
Then I'm game change, (A very freaky girl)
Switching up his style and going after a wild girl
You know who got the gold like the kid from "The Last Dragon"
Referencing a famous movie to say he has the best jewelry
You know who got the low on the spokes and the ass saggin'
Bringing attention to his impressive car and its rims
You know who got the gold that'll have your ass gaggin'
Suggesting that he has something special that will surprise you
You know who got the boat that'll have the task naggin'
Boasting about his exclusive boat that gets things done
But I fuck bitches, and get money
Being straightforward about his lifestyle
My truck switches like,
His car has different modes
You got to duck bitches when you get twenties
Avoiding certain types of women or situations
And plug switches that make you sit funny
Jokingly referencing a certain type of switch
I'm a rider..
He's a tough guy who can handle any situation
c'mon, you know its g's up C.O.'s down
It's a tough world where the strong survive
If I freeze up its kilos now
Things can go bad quickly, and he'll have to deal with them
Pick trees up its 3-4 pounds
Referencing his big operation of moving drugs
Fill the bees up 'til these bro's drown
Drugs are his money-making business, and he's good at it
I snatch a few g's up and flea those towns
He's a fast mover who knows how to avoid trouble
Busta's freeze up when my "v" slow down
His enemies are afraid of his power and presence
I ease up with these 4 pounds
He's in control of the situation
Squeeze up to 3-4 rounds
He's ready to defend himself if necessary
I pick these up its G code now
He operates by a certain code of conduct
Ya'll better call the D's up before I reload now
He's a force to be reckoned with - the cops better watch out
I'm "The Boss" something like Springsteen
He's in charge and can make things happen
I got something that bring green
He's got a valuable product that makes a lot of money
That look something like string beans
Making a silly comparison for added effect
I make sure the hustlers keep something to sling the fiends
He's providing a valuable service to a certain group of people
White, yellow, and a little something that bling green
Referring to different types of drugs that he deals with
We going to blast if we going I been doing
He's not afraid to use force if necessary
this since Jabbar was hooking off the glass in the forum (ghetto)
He's been hustling for a long time and knows the game well
Your grandparents has to assume
He's been doing this for so long that even your grandparents know about it
Cause the face look like a magnifying glass on the poem (oh boy)
He looks intimidating and tough, like a magnifying glass on a piece of writing
So my niggas (niggas)
Referring to his close friends who share the same lifestyle
They get money (money)
They know how to make money and profit from their lifestyle
Throw your motherfucking hand in the air (in the air)
Encouraging his crew to celebrate their success
And if you up on things and you don't give a fuck
If you're aware of what's going on and don't care about the consequences
Let me hear y'all niggas scream oh yeah (oh yeah)
Showing excitement and enthusiasm for their lifestyle
And all my bitches (bitches)
Referring to the ladies he's involved with
They get money (money)
They're also in the lifestyle of making money by any means necessary
Throw your motherfucking hand in the air (in the air)
Encouraging the ladies to celebrate their success as well
I'm a coast to coast G I keep the toast to mostly
He can handle anything on both coasts, and keeps his weapons close
For those who pose to closely (backup)
Warning anyone who comes too close to stay back
Keep a piece in the vest that's how we ride
Always being prepared to defend himself
From the north to the south to the east to the west
He's got connections and power all over the country
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, ERNESTO SHAW, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON, KEN IFILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind