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."
Young'n
Fabolous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Huh, huh, uh-huh, do it, yeah, do it now, come on
Uh, uh, uh, uh, what y'all want? Uh
Rollin', gold two seater
Stash in the dash hold two heaters
Blocka put holes through beaters
Ghetto Fab stroll through Cheetahs
Addicted to Cris' hooked on Dom
50 G's, hook and song
Ma, I wanna see how you look in thongs
Hustlin', guys that send Po's
'Cause I chop rocks the size of Mentos
Blame me, I charge the hen hoes
Look at the hurt your eyes will squint close
Pimpin' here's a new way to flirt
Now listen to the two way alert
It goes
Let's go V.I.P., boo, raise your skirt
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
I'm gangsta
Y'all just wannabe's
Federal agents on their P's
30 a gram, 28 on the keys
Got a good lawyer, I'm gonna squeeze
Thuggin', jeans and Tim's
Fitted to the front lean the brim
Ride but never on teenage rims
And I keep a chick's face between limbs
Stylin' y'all heard about my kick game
I'm on the parquet, you see me at the Knick game
Probably seen this tatted on your chick frame
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S
Ridin' y'all know as well I do
That's the way you can tell I flew
So I got a deal, I sell pies too
'Cause before I hit the pens I'm gettin' bailed by Clue
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Cruisin', top on the 'Cedes low
Turn us up when you hear this on the radio
Blastin' with the nineteen eighty flow
Make the necks on the ladies go
Holla that's what a pretty thug will do
Hit Branson, get a fifty jug or two
Y'all throwin' on them gritty mugs for who?
Like y'all don't know what fifty slugs will do
Hatin' I just bought the Uz'
I put y'all in them front page articles
I got 'em lookin' at the Billboard charts confused
And I still freestyle to start the Clue's
Reppin' I'm that kid who 'bout the dough
I done copped coke and started droughts before
Shit platinum out the door
Now I drop the top down just to shout to hoes
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back (wooo-wooo)
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Holla back, back, back, back
(Wooo-wooo)
(Wooo-wooo)
(Wooo-wooo)
(Wooo-wooo)
Uh
Yeah
Yeah
(Wooo-wooo)
The song "Young'n" by Fabolous is a classic example of early 2000s hip-hop. The song talks about Fabolous' life as a gangsta, a rapper, and a ladies' man. He describes his life in Brooklyn and the various activities he engages in, including hustling, selling drugs, partying, and chasing girls.
In the first verse, Fabolous talks about his life as a gangsta. He mentions driving a gold two-seater with two guns hidden in the dash. He talks about how he can put holes through cars with his gun and how he strolls through Cheetahs, a famous strip club in New York. He also talks about his love for expensive champagne, especially Dom Perignon, and how he is addicted to it.
In the second verse, Fabolous talks about his life as a rapper. He mentions how he has federal agents on his trail because of his illegal activities, but he still manages to sell drugs for profit. He also talks about his fashion sense, especially his love for wearing Timberland boots and fitted caps. He mentions how he is a fan of the New York Knicks and how his name is on the lips of many girls.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the gritty and fast-paced lifestyle of a young gangsta living in Brooklyn.
Line by Line Meaning
Rollin', gold two seater
I'm driving a fancy car, a two-seater with a gold exterior
Stash in the dash hold two heaters
I have guns hidden in my car's dashboard
Blocka put holes through beaters
I'm violent and can shoot my enemies' cars
Ghetto Fab stroll through Cheetahs
I'm walking through a strip club called Cheetahs in a ghetto area
Ballin', Brooklyn don
I'm living well and represent Brooklyn
Addicted to Cris' hooked on Dom
I'm addicted to Cristal and Dom Perignon, expensive types of champagne
50 G's, hook and song
I charge $50,000 for a song I've created
Ma, I wanna see how you look in thongs
I'm objectifying and sexualizing women
Hustlin', guys that send Po's
I'm selling drugs and dealing with people who send police officers
'Cause I chop rocks the size of Mentos
I'm selling drugs in large quantities
Blame me, I charge the hen hoes
I'm in control and charging prostitutes
Look at the hurt your eyes will squint close
I'm causing pain and it's visible in someone's eyes
Pimpin' here's a new way to flirt
I'm suggesting a way for men to flirt through pimping/having prostitutes
Now listen to the two way alert
Pay attention to the alert from a two-way messaging device
Holla back young'n (wooo-wooo)
Call back to me, young one
I'm gangsta
I'm claiming to have a tough, criminal persona
Y'all just wannabe's
Others are just trying to be like me
Federal agents on their P's
The government is watching me, always prepared
30 a gram, 28 on the keys
I'm selling drugs and making a profit at every level
Got a good lawyer, I'm gonna squeeze
I have the resources to fight back legally
Thuggin', jeans and Tim's
I dress like a thug, wearing Timberland boots and jeans
Fitted to the front lean the brim
I wear my hat in a specific way
Ride but never on teenage rims
I don't have flashy wheels on my car
And I keep a chick's face between limbs
I engage in sexual activities with women
Stylin' y'all heard about my kick game
People know me for my personal style and shoes
I'm on the parquet, you see me at the Knick game
I'm at the basketball game, probably courtside
Probably seen this tatted on your chick frame
I have tattoos on women's bodies
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S
My name is spelled F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S
Ridin' y'all know as well I do
You know how well I'm doing and how I'm getting around
That's the way you can tell I flew
My wealth indicates that I've achieved success or flown on planes
So I got a deal, I sell pies too
I have a recording contract and sell drugs
'Cause before I hit the pens I'm gettin' bailed by Clue
Before I go to jail, I'm getting money from DJ Clue
Cruisin', top on the 'Cedes low
I'm driving around in a Mercedes with the top down
Turn us up when you hear this on the radio
Make the volume loud when you hear my song
Blastin' with the nineteen eighty flow
I'm using a flow in my song that's reminiscent of the 1980s
Make the necks on the ladies go
My music gets women's attention and makes them move their heads
Y'all throwin' on them gritty mugs for who?
Why are you trying to be tough and serious?
Like y'all don't know what fifty slugs will do
Don't act oblivious to the fact that I am violent and dangerous
Hatin' I just bought the Uz'
I just bought a gun and people are jealous
I put y'all in them front page articles
I'm a newsworthy and attention-grabbing figure
I got 'em lookin' at the Billboard charts confused
My success is confusing and unexpected
And I still freestyle to start the Clue's
I'm able to freestyle and perform on DJ Clue's radio show
Reppin' I'm that kid who 'bout the dough
I'm representing myself as someone who's all about making money
I done copped coke and started droughts before
I've sold cocaine and caused drug shortages in the past
Shit platinum out the door
My music sells incredibly well
Now I drop the top down just to shout to hoes
I'm lowering the roof of my car so I can shout to women
Uh
An exclamation with no specific meaning
Yeah
An affirmative or confirming word
Yeah
An affirmative or confirming word
(Wooo-wooo)
A sound effect that repeats throughout the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Hugo, John David Jackson, Pharrell L. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seanmelendez1430
Its crazy how music like this dont exist no more
@josenooitmeer
Right......
@miaporche2256
❤
@josenooitmeer
Thanks mia#😍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@Gods_Real
Obviously does. Memories memory.
@supermariopartyfan27
@@josenooitmeerqq
@terrellhorton1978
This was that heat when I was a senior in high school I'm 40 now man how times have changed but I'm glad I can say through it all I'm still here
@kellyf5004
It was out in like 2001 I believe ? Man where has the time gone
@Joe-dh2bf
34 in September, '88 baby from sleepy hollow. The headless horseman ain't got me yet
@p1critter409
31 this year. Man kids these days just dont know what real heat is