John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York), better k… Read Full Bio ↴John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York), better known by his stage name Fabolous, is a Grammy award nominated American rapper, actor and designer signed to Def Jam Records. He released his debut album, Ghetto Fabolous in 2001 and has since released 2003's Street Dreams, 2004's Real Talk and 2007's From Nothin' To Somethin', all of which have collectively sold over four million copies in the United States. His fourth studio album, Loso's Way, was released in July of 2009 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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."

Yep I'm Back
Fabolous Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Boom, clap, boom clap
Boom, clap, boom clap
Boom, clap, boom clap
Boom, clap, boom clap

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Now, everybody, get your hands up
Lo-so, mo' betta (mo' betta), mo' cheddar (mo' cheddar)

I do the rolls; I am not a mo wetta
Challenge me with the bling - these niggas know betta
The wings are as big as the logo on those sweaters
Hos betta have a fall back attack
I come through like a funeral - all black on black
Couple six deuces, all back to back
Few flyin' Spurs, all back to back
Need a '04/'05 Dunkin 'n them
When it come to makin' O's, we like dunkin' with them
Nah, I ain't talking donuts
I'm talking white ones like the Nike low cuts
You couldn't see me if you stood on your tippy toes
But you could smell this Cali kush with the zippy closed
Damn skippy, those seats is peanut butter
You never seen us stutter, like street fitted, and...

[Chorus:]
Yep, I'm back stuntin', yep, I'm back frontin'
Yep, I'm somebody who made something outta nothing
Yep, I know you see something that you wantin'
It's just something about me you can't go with out me, y'all
Said, you can't go without me y'all
Said, you can't go without me y'all

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Now, everybody, get your hands up
Mo' stuntin' (mo' stuntin'), mo' frontin' (mo' frontin')
How you gettin' it, homey? Show something
You can ask about him; he go hard
With that A.M.E.X. negro card
Last time I was seen in a strip club
Rain, I hurricane Katrina the strip club
May I say I made a way
To stay fly till the day I fade away
Hey, I pray I stay out of a hater's way
Lemme play like A.I., and just get to the point
Lemme hear 'em say "ah" when he spit to the joint
You gon' hear a spray "raa" when I get to the joint
And a blind man could see that them niggas with Fab is gon'
Come like them dudes came for Tony at the Babylon
Rapid fire, do you know a rapid flyer?
The L-O-S-O; I guess no

[Chorus]

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Now, everybody, get your hands up
Mo' winnin' (mo' winnin') mo' dinin' (mo' dinin')
Slow windin' gangstas throw signs and
I can't help that the chain is so shinin'
That the shit on my wrist is just co-signin'
They don't search us; they know we got the flamers
Still let us slide through the door, like Cramer
I believe in God, but my true religion
Is stuffin' big faces down in these true religions
We everywhere, you ain't never there
New coupe shoe shine, like patent leather Airs
Pushin' something we ain't got our names on
Two '07's, neither one of us is James Bond
We in the V.I.P.'s with the big names
Fendi Aviator shades with the big frames
The streets is watchin', hood is lookin'
Brooklyn's back, and look at how good I'm lookin'

[Chorus]

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Now, everybody, get your hands up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Yep I'm Back" by Fabolous revolve around the arrogance and self-confidence of the rapper. He boasts about his wealth, success, and fame with pride and a sense of accomplishment. The opening lines of the song, "Boom, clap, boom clap" set the tone for the upbeat and confident attitude of the song. He encourages the audience to put their hands up and acknowledges his superior status by saying, "I do the rolls; I am not a mo wetta." He takes pride in his luxurious lifestyle and the fact that he's better than his competitors in the rap industry, as he raps, "Challenge me with the bling - these niggas know betta."

Throughout the song, Fabolous boasts about his cars, success, and financial status, and how he's made something out of nothing. The song also alludes to the fact that his competitors are jealous of his success and, at times, try to put him down or criticize his work. However, he remains focused, determined, and committed to being the best in the game, as he raps, "I pray I stay out of a hater's way."

Overall, "Yep I'm Back" is an upbeat and energetic song that showcases Fabolous's pride, confidence, and self-assuredness. The lyrics celebrate his success while also addressing his detractors and haters in the industry.

Line by Line Meaning

Boom, clap, boom clap
Repetitive beat to set the tone and rhythm of the song

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Encouraging the audience to participate in the song

Lo-so, mo' betta (mo' betta), mo' cheddar (mo' cheddar)
Describing a lifestyle where things get better with money

I do the rolls; I am not a mo wetta
Not being easily influenced by others and staying true to oneself

Challenge me with the bling - these niggas know betta
Confident in one's own wealth and status

The wings are as big as the logo on those sweaters
Referring to expensive cars with large doors and logos

Hos betta have a fall back attack
Warning others not to mess with him or his entourage

I come through like a funeral - all black on black
Making an entrance in a dramatic and imposing manner

Couple six deuces, all back to back
Referring to cars parked next to each other

Few flyin' Spurs, all back to back
Referring to the luxury car model Bentley Flying Spur

Need a '04/'05 Dunkin 'n them
Referring to the popular sneaker model Nike Dunk

When it come to makin' O's, we like dunkin' with them
Making money with the same ease as dunking a basketball

Nah, I ain't talking donuts
Not referring to actual donuts in the previous line

I'm talking white ones like the Nike low cuts
Referring to white Nike sneakers with a low-cut design

You couldn't see me if you stood on your tippy toes
Being too high above others in terms of status and wealth

But you could smell this Cali kush with the zippy closed
Referring to a strong strain of marijuana

Damn skippy, those seats is peanut butter
Referring to the luxurious leather seats in a car

You never seen us stutter, like street fitted, and...
Being confident and bold in one's fashion and lifestyle

[Chorus:] Yep, I'm back stuntin', yep, I'm back frontin' Yep, I'm somebody who made something outta nothing Yep, I know you see something that you wantin'
Boasting about one's success and status

It's just something about me you can't go with out me, y'all Said, you can't go without me y'all Said, you can't go without me y'all
Being an essential figure in the lifestyle portrayed in the song

Mo' stuntin' (mo' stuntin'), mo' frontin' (mo' frontin')
Continuing to boast and show off one's wealth and status

How you gettin' it, homey? Show something
Challenging others to prove their success and status

You can ask about him; he go hard With that A.M.E.X. negro card
Being a well-known and respected figure with a prestigious credit card

Last time I was seen in a strip club Rain, I hurricane Katrina the strip club
Causing a commotion and spending a lot of money in a strip club

May I say I made a way To stay fly till the day I fade away
Success and status will continue until the end of one's life

Hey, I pray I stay out of a hater's way Lemme play like A.I., and just get to the point
Trying to avoid negativity and stay focused on success

Lemme hear 'em say "ah" when he spit to the joint You gon' hear a spray "raa" when I get to the joint
Receiving praise and admiration for one's music and rap skills

And a blind man could see that them niggas with Fab is gon' Come like them dudes came for Tony at the Babylon
Referring to a well-known scene in the TV show The Sopranos, and warning others not to mess with him or his entourage

Rapid fire, do you know a rapid flyer? The L-O-S-O; I guess no
Being quick and efficient, and referring to himself as Loso or Fabolous

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the theme of the song

Mo' winnin' (mo' winnin') mo' dinin' (mo' dinin') Slow windin' gangstas throw signs and
Continuing to show off success and status, and referring to gang signs

I can't help that the chain is so shinin' That the shit on my wrist is just co-signin'
Referring to expensive jewelry

They don't search us; they know we got the flamers Still let us slide through the door, like Cramer
Being recognized and respected for one's status, even in potentially dangerous situations

I believe in God, but my true religion Is stuffin' big faces down in these true religions
Preferring to spend money on expensive clothing rather than religion

We everywhere, you ain't never there New coupe shoe shine, like patent leather Airs
Being present and successful in many different locations, and referring to new and shiny cars and sneakers

Pushin' something we ain't got our names on Two '07's, neither one of us is James Bond
Driving expensive cars without owning them, and joking about not being a famous spy like James Bond

We in the V.I.P.'s with the big names Fendi Aviator shades with the big frames
Being in exclusive and luxurious settings, wearing expensive sunglasses

The streets is watchin', hood is lookin' Brooklyn's back, and look at how good I'm lookin'
Representing Brooklyn and its culture, and being fashionable and successful

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the theme of the song

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Continuing to encourage the audience to participate in the song

Now, everybody, get your hands up
Closing the song with the same encouragement as in the beginning

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JEFFREY CONTELLA, JOHN JACKSON, JOHN DAVID JACKSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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