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."
Want You Back
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is how somebody have a life-time friend
That they've been through thick and thin with
And they just fall out over the simplest shit, man like
But that same person will be in a relationship with a triflin' ass mo'fucka
And keep taking 'em back
Shit is crazy
Is the asshole you end up with
Get a taste of your own medicine
Funny, you the one who end up sick
Always took you back, even though it made my friends upset
Told me I should blow you off, haven't got that wind up, yet
Know how many days I've hurt, many nights I've been up stressed
Thought that we had been in love, maybe I've just been obsessed
When you crossed me, you lost me
Now if I was guarding Derrick Rose
I would be more understanding but you ain't Derrick Rose
You was my number one, but uhmm, you ain't Derrick Rose
You try to make a point again, you ain't Derrick Rose
You just on some bullshit, bitch, you ain't Derrick Rose
I'm a lover and a fighter, fight for what I love
But you made something of, bitches I think nothing of
Ask myself why I fight when it's long been over
God gives the hardest battles to the strongest soldiers
So I fight for us, as long as there is reason to
You wanted to give up on us as long as there is season two
Cool, you're gonna need me one day
And if it's Sunday, that one day gonna be Monday
That's how fast things change sometimes
Niggas play the tough role, I Ving Rhames sometimes
Like, like, like I don't want that bitch back
I mean, I want her, but I don't want the bitch back
She said she want him, but she don't want that nigga back
That nigga act like I ain't have a nigga back
You're gonna need me one day
You're gonna want me back in your arms
You're gonna need me one day
You're gonna want me back in your arms
Let me start with 'I love you', I think that we have the power to grow
Woulda gave up, but ain't no coward in Joe
Funny thing about it all you checked my Twitter every hour or so
And then you bring this fake shit to our reality show
Been however many years looking for devotion, it's weird
Your feelings but I put them into motion
I dictate the what's and why's, the how and when
You ain't learn to separate your now from then
I keep my distance, 'cause when I'm near, my head is hurting
Exhausted every road to friendship, but its never working
Me, I met the sweetest girl, you know ya'll met in person
Bottom line, I made you then made a better version
I tried to give you good advice, but you ain't heed it
Must've figured you ain't need it, but all I can do is seed it
Told you you're gonna fuck around and end up sick
You chose dick from this nigga off the New York Knicks
My Nig you're so spiteful, that ain't the way we act
That cock was inserted in you, how could it pay me back?
I know you said when we were over you'd start aiming bigger
But you can't have anonymity with famous niggas
I know you're thinking my happiness is a front
How would you ever know? Happiness is what you wanted
So unidentifiable when that armor never let up
You fucked me real good, but karma fucked you better
You're gonna need me one day
You're gonna want me back in your arms
You're gonna need me one day
You're gonna want me back in your arms
You never miss a good thing till it leave you
Finally I realize I don't need you
You want me back, you know you're gonna need me back
Gotta have me back, yeah
Heartbroken when you left my world
Boy, you know you should've kept this girl, I was there for you
Now I don't know what you gonna do without me, baby
That was the last thing I said to you
I notice you know its dead end with you
You're gonna want me back, you're gonna want me back
I said I want you, want you want you
You're gonna want me back
(Oh) want me back, you're gonna want me back
The song "Want You Back" by Fabolous (Feat. Joe Budden & Teyana Taylor) delves into the complexities of relationships and friendships. The lyrics highlight the confusion and frustration over why people can easily let go of lifelong friendships but repeatedly take back toxic partners. The song revolves around the idea of karma and how it catches up with those who hurt good people. The chorus of the song, "You're gonna need me someday, You're gonna want me back in your heart," suggests that the person who was taken for granted will eventually be missed and wanted back.
The first verse talks about how it doesn't make sense that someone can toss away a lifetime of friendship for simple reasons while staying in a relationship with a trifling person. The verse also emphasizes how taking back toxic partners despite knowing their true nature can be an obsessive behavior manifested in codependency.
In the second verse, Joe Budden shares his own experience of heartbreak brought upon by a former lover who chose a new guy from New York Knicks over him. The verse highlights the pain of losing someone who was once precious, and the realization of not needing them back.
Overall, "Want You Back" is a compelling song that captures the pain and confusion of broken relationships and how one can go from wanting someone back to realizing they are better off without them.
Line by Line Meaning
You see, what I can't understand
I can't understand why a person would give up a lifetime friend for a simple argument but keep going back to a toxic relationship.
The Karma of fucking over a good person
If you mistreat a good person, you'll end up with someone who's terrible for you.
Always took you back, even though it made my friends upset
I kept taking you back despite my friends advising me against it because they knew you were no good for me.
God gives the hardest battles to the strongest soldiers
The most trying times are given to those who can handle it.
You're gonna need me someday
There will come a time when you will want me back or wish you had me in your life.
Let me start with 'I love you', I think that we have the power to grow
I still care for you, and I believe we can work through our issues and make our relationship stronger.
You never miss a good thing till it leave you
People often realize the value of something good only after it's gone.
That was the last thing I said to you
The last word I had with you was a reminder that you'll regret losing me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Christopher Cook, Erika Hamilton, John Jackson, Joseph Budden, Teyana Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dannydelia6603
Who's bumpin this still in 2020?
Yo I always say Fab doesn't get the love he deserves. Most underrated artist imo. Everybody loves Kiss and I do too but Styles P was the man behind most of his shit so..
I still rock "Cap" and talk to me nicely w meek in the back on that summertime shootout 3 shit.
Don't even get me started on meek now..
And of course my absolute go to when I gotta hear fab is "BREATHE" Yo im not playin that track is 17 God damn years old and I rock it almost daily.. Lol..
Listening to Meeks HEAVEN and HELL right now.. Kiss has me like 😱 on this track..!
🎶 The things we do...
Just to make it through 🎶
Real talk right there!
@botanicalbeaut9580
2024 listeners?
@blossomm29
here 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️
@davesims4590
2023 and still listening to this 🔥🔥🔥
@CuriousPerson2206
ONG
@tarintino07
Fab the most slept on goat 🐐 this is incredible
@reeupshawty4615
2024!!!
@Sincere4Eva
Joe straight bodied this shit.. 🔥🔥Fab never disappoints on any verse, no one else could’ve captured this nostalgia other than Joe.. Fab a genius for linking up 🔥🔥🔥💯👏🏾👏🏾
@darnelldarden9429
Joe skated on this shit
@genarriswilliams177
LITERALLY WENT CRAZY!!!
@xDaPrincex
"The karma of fuckin over a good person, is the asshole who end up wit,
Get a taste of your own medicine, funny you the one who end up sick" Fab always droppin them lines 🔥