TSS: Fab what’s goin on?

Fabolous: Nothing much what’s goin on Sneek?

TSS: What have you been up to?

Fabolous: Just working getting ready, it’s the return of the hustle. I’m ready to get back out there and give the people some good music.

TSS: Tell us about From Nothing To Something

Fabolous: I tried to keep the same formula that I worked with on Real Talk, as far as being versatile and diverse in the music. I always want my music to cater to different kind of ears. I left off on that note and I came back still on that note.

TSS: What are some names on the album to look for?

Fabolous: Production wise we got some A-list guys, Just Blaze, Timbaland and we got some guys on they come up like Neyo, Cham, Amadeaus. We have dudes from all walks of the production road I wasn’t really about just getting big names, it was about just getting good music and making history.

TSS: Would you rather sit down with a producer and create a record or just get the beat and do your thing?

Fabolous: I have only sat down with one or two producers and have seen what they cooked up. For the most part people will know that I’m workin and come in from wherever they at and say “this is what I cooked.” I like that because when I hear a record I try to immediately get the vibe and the song structure. Its certain beats that are hard beats but might not work for everybody so I try to pick beats that work for me. Even feature wise I try to bring somebody to the table who adds to the song and not just pick a name. I don’t just pick a name and say oh I want to do a song with lets say…Mariah Carey. If I hear a joint and feel Mariah would add to this record then I would reach out to her or whoever.

TSS: Now you have stood the test of time and have been in the game for a minute. What is your next career goal?

Fabolous: To stay consistent. I love the aspect of making music, making music for the people, people getting the music, the emotions of the music, and what people get from the music. Later on maybe I can get my president seat on, get my Jay-z seat on because I love being involved with the music. Right now though my goal is to stay consistent and come with good music every time I step up to the plate, make sure I get a hit. The challenge is keeping integrity, staying relevant, and continuing to evolve and still knowing what I want to do at the same time.

TSS: How do you stay consistent?

Fabolous: I’m in the field. If you play baseball, sometimes, you’re a designated hitter and your not in the field so you don’t get the whole action of what’s going on. But when you play first base, you play first base and then go up to hit too so your on the offensive and defensive end. I listen to the music that’s out there, I enjoy picking up mixtapes and hearing what’s going on. I’m a fan also.

TSS: So who are some artists that you are feeling right now?

Fabolous: I like what a couple people are doing. I definitely watched the evolution of Wayne and have seen him being taken more seriously as a real lyricist. That is something that you have to try to strive hard for being a southern artist because a lot of the country doesn’t look at southern artists as being real lyricists. With guys stepping up to the plate like him and T.I., I respect that. I like the hustle in hip-hop too. On a big level like Jay-z all the way down to smaller independent or underground guys.

Look at what Papoose is doing. He generated from the mixtapes and did his thing. He kept pushing until he got into a situation where he is at a major. And then look at Jim Jones. He is doing his independent thing and had one of the biggest records of the year, hustling. I respect the hustle of a lot of dudes and the lyricism of a lot of dudes.

TSS: How is Def Jam a better fit for you than Atlantic?

Fabolous: Def Jam feels like a family for me. The legacy of Def Jam and their ability to bring big artists to Hip-Hop, I felt like I wanted to make that connection with them and be one of the next big artists that can keep the torch going over there. Not saying that people over there right now aren’t keeping it going, but I just want to put a hand in where I can. It was a good thing for me to go over there. Everybody knows the legacy of Def Jam and felt like this is the album I needed to make to make that connection. Like you said, I stood the test of time, I put out three albums and this is my senior album. Senior year, you want to have a good year cause that is leading to the pros at the end of the day.

TSS: Everybody wants to know since you’re at Def Jam is there a possibility to see a collab with Jay-z and Fabolous?

Fabolous: Of course. I would love that. It’s up to the big homie. If he feels there is a joint he would like to get on, the door is always open on my end. I have a huge amount of respect for Jay and what he has done for the game, musically, and just the accomplishments he has made. I would love to work with him if the opportunity presents itself.

TSS: On another note, the use of the internet has changed since you came in the game how has the rise of Myspace and Youtube affected your career?

Fabolous: What I’m trying to do is work with it. I’m going to capitalize off of it. A lot of people don’t look at those as big avenues as far as promoting and marketing albums but I’m going to make sure that we use everything we can in those realms. The internet has grown. It has digressed the physical sales of albums because people are not physically going in stores and buying albums as much. The internet has slowed it down. What you have to do is make that impression on the internet. You have to bring the awareness to the internet. Everything that you would do in the physical form you have to do on the internet also. That’s what I plan to do with this project too, whether it’s through Myspace or Youtube…all walks of the internet.

TSS: You did a lot of work with Lil’ Mo, if you had to do a best of both worlds album who would it be with?

Fabolous: Probably Lil’ Mo, and if I had a male singer probably Ne-Yo. We just did a joint on this album produced by Timbaland and it was a good marriage. I think we would work creatively together. He’s a cool dude. I don’t see none of my boys macing him at Madison Square Garden like with the R. Kelly shit (Laughs).

TSS: What’s good with Rich Yung?

Fabolous: Rich Yung (www.richyungsociety.com) is our line, and I’m a partner within that. Through the internet and through the boutique shops, we have created such a high demand it has becoming bigger than our supply. People have reached out to us, like Jay-z, trying to get joint ventures with our line. We are negotiating all those things now but we are definitely looking to do a joint venture. We want to become bigger and be able to fulfill our demand instead of selling out every time we put out. We want to get mass production and broaden our line and also put it in more boutiques.

TSS: What did you do with all those jerseys?

Fabolous: I got the jerseys in the cut just in case I need to bring them back. I still like jerseys I’m still a fan of sports.

TSS: What’s upcoming for your label Street Family?

Fabolous: We definitely working with the artists we have like Paul Cain and a few other guys on the circuit. We’re working them from the bottom up trying to get them that exposure through the underground first. When we ready to tackle the mainstream it will be full fledged and they will have the support from the street.

TSS: What does it take for a new artist to get down with Street Family?

Fabolous: It starts from the talent with Street Fam. If I see talent and I feel like you can work within the camp, I will definitely open my arms to you and welcome you in the camp.

TSS: Aiight that’s what’s up. Appreciate the interview Fab.

Fabolous: I appreciate it too my nigga.

TSS: Any last words?

Fabolous: The album is coming April 17th From Nothing To Something. Loso’s Way Part 2 should be dropping the begging of March. I appreciate everybody who has been sticking with me and waiting but the wait is over the real is back.