At one point, there was no one hotter than NYC's Fabolous. Coming up in the Bedstuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, Fab eventually started pursuing rap in high school. DJ Clue eventually invited him to come rap on his Hot 97 radio show, which lead to Fab getting signed to Clue's Desert Storm Records.
Ghetto Fabolous, the debut album, was released on the tragic September 11th, 2001. Hits such as the Neptunes-produced "Young'n (Holla Back)" and the Nate Dogg-featured "Can't Deny It" helped the record garner success on the sales charts, radio, and music television stations.
Fabolous has continued to churn out albums and mixtapes at a busy rate over the past 15 years, with his most recent project, The Young OG Project, being released in December of last year. But today, we're focusing on his early output, the stuff he released from 2001-2005.
Fabolous - Can't Deny It (Feat. Nate Dogg)
The first single Fabolous ever released came out on June 19, 2001. Featuring Nate Dogg, the track twists some classic 2Pac for a millennial smash single.
Fabolous - Ma Be Easy
It's easy to tell how the Neptunes were influencing the sound so heavily around the turn of the millennium. Even Just Blaze was making quirky, space-aged beats like this one he did for Fab's debut.
Fabolous - Young'n (Holla Back)
This one will still light a club on fire.
"Rollin, gold two seater
Stash in the dash
Hole through heaters
Blockahhhhh put holes through beaters
Ghetto Fab stroll through Cheetahs
Ballin, Brooklyn dawn
Addicted to Crys hooked on Don
15 G's hookers on
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 try to end hoes
Look at the hurt your eyes will squit close
Pimpin' here's a new way to flirt
Listen to the two way alert
It goes (beep, beep, beep, beep)
Lets go VIP boo raise your skirt"
Fabolous, Jagged Edge & P. Diddy - Trade It All Part 2
"Trade It All Part 2" marked a new direction for Fabolous' singles. For the foreseeable future, the crossover R&B hit was a primary method for receiving airplay. We've seen it happen a handful of times since, and it's a great formula, indeed.
Fabolous - So Into You (Feat. Tamia)
Another crossover single from Fabolous comes in the form of "So Into You." Ladies and fellas alike were singing thi one when it was released in 2003. They'll probably still sing along to it nowadays.
Street Dreams
A year before College Dropout, Kanye West had a single production credit on Fabolous' Street Dreams album. Along with Mary J. Blige, Fab blessed this Kanye beat.
Fabolous - Can't Let You Go (Feat. Mike Shorey & Lil' Mo)
The R&B-tinged hip hop didn't fail on Fab's sophomore album. Here's another soft and relaxing cut, "Can't Let You Go."
Fabolous - Tit 4 Tat (Feat. Pharrell)
"Tit 4 Tat" saw Pharrell come out from behind the beat machine and get a little face time. Don't worry, The Neptunes are still on the production too.
Fabolous - Baby (Feat. Mike Shorey)
A little Michael Jackson sample never hurt. Check out Fab and Mike Shorey goin' in over a beat that borrows more than a little from Jackson's "I Can't Help It" (and a little Biggie too).
Real Talk
Fab's third album Real Talk wasn't all about the R&B singles, though. "Breathe" is a hard-hitting rap track thanks to epic production from Just Blaze and some hard bars from our subject.