Fabolous facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fabolous
Fabolous in 2019
Background information
Birth name	John David Jackson
Also known as	Fabolous Sport Loso
Born	(1977-11-18) November 18, 1977 (age 47) New York City, U.S.
Education	Boys and Girls High School
Genres	Hip hop East Coast hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Roc Nation Street Family Def Jam Atlantic Desert Storm Elektra
Children	3

John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), known as Fabolous, is an American rapper. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He became known after performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show.

After this, Fabolous signed with DJ Clue's record label, Desert Storm Records, and Elektra Records. His first album, Ghetto Fabolous (2001), had popular songs like "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n (Holla Back)." His second album, Street Dreams (2003), included hits such as "Can't Let You Go" and "Into You." Both of these songs reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2004, Fabolous signed with Atlantic Records for his third album, Real Talk. Later, in 2006, he joined Def Jam Recordings and started his own label, Street Family Records. His albums From Nothin' to Somethin' (2007) and Loso's Way (2009) were very successful. They reached numbers two and one on the Billboard 200 chart. He also released many mixtapes, like his There Is No Competition and Summertime Shootout series. His recent albums, The Young OG Project (2014) and Summertime Shootout 3: Coldest Summer Ever (2019), were also well-received.

Fabolous has had many hit songs throughout the 2000s. These include "Trade It All, Pt. 2," "Breathe," "Make Me Better," and "Throw It in the Bag." He is also known for appearing on R&B songs by other artists, such as Lil' Mo's "Superwoman Pt. II" and Trey Songz's "Say Aah." He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Fabolous's Journey in Music

Early Life and Career Beginnings

John David Jackson was born on November 18, 1977. He has Dominican and African-American roots. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, New York City.

Jackson went to Boys and Girls High School in Bed-Stuy. While still in high school, he started working towards a career in hip hop music. At first, he called himself Fabolous Sport. He later shortened it to Fabolous. The unique spelling was actually a mistake he made during a freestyle rap, and it just stuck.

He was invited to rap live on DJ Clue's radio show on New York City's Hot 97. Fabolous and N.O.R.E. rapped over a song by The Lox. After hearing him, DJ Clue signed Fabolous to his record label, Desert Storm Records. Fabolous then appeared on several of DJ Clue's mixtapes. This helped him and Desert Storm get a deal with Elektra Records. In an interview in 2001, Fabolous said he never planned to be a rapper. He just wanted to make money and it happened for him.

First Albums: Ghetto Fabolous and Street Dreams

Fabolous released his first album, Ghetto Fabolous, on September 11, 2001. It quickly reached number four on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold over 140,000 copies in its first week. The first song from the album, "Can't Deny It," became popular. It featured Nate Dogg and used a part of Tupac Shakur's song "Ambitionz Az a Ridah." Other popular songs from this album included "Young'n (Holla Back)" and "Trade It All."

His second album, Street Dreams, came out on March 4, 2003. The song "Can't Let You Go" with Lil' Mo became a big hit. It reached number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart and number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Another song, "Into You" with Tamia, also reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Other songs from Street Dreams included "This Is My Party" and "Trade It All Pt. 2."

On November 4, 2003, Fabolous released an official mixtape called More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape. This album had remixes and songs that were not on Street Dreams. It also featured his group, Triangle Offense, which included Paul Cain and Joe Budden.

Real Talk and From Nothin' to Somethin'

Fabolous at Sirius Satellite Radio in June 2007

Fabolous' third album, Real Talk, was released on November 5, 2004. It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The album had two popular songs: "Breathe" and "Baby," which featured Mike Shorey. In 2004, Fabolous was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on the "Dip It Low" remix by Christina Milian.

In early 2006, Fabolous signed a new record deal with Def Jam Recordings. His fourth album, From Nothin' to Somethin, was released in June 2007. This album was his first to reach number one on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album was certified Gold in July 2007, meaning it sold many copies.

One of the biggest hits from this album was "Make Me Better," featuring Ne-Yo. This song stayed at number one on the Hot Rap Track Billboard Chart for 14 weeks. Another successful song was "Baby Don't Go," which reached number four on the Hot Rap Track Chart.

Loso's Way and Mixtape Series

Fabolous released his fifth album, Loso's Way, in July 2009. The album was inspired by the 1993 movie Carlito's Way. The first song released from the album was "Throw It in the Bag," featuring The-Dream. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 99,000 copies in its first week. This was Fabolous's first album to reach the top spot on that chart.

A special version of the album included a bonus DVD with a movie called "Loso's Way." The movie featured Fabolous and his friends. In September 2009, MTV ranked Fabolous as number eight on their Hottest MC in the Game list. In December 2009, he announced a new mixtape, "There is No Competition – Part 2: The Funeral Service," which was released in March 2010.

Continuing Success with The Soul Tape and Young OG Project

Fabolous performing in 2012

On March 5, 2010, Fabolous released There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service. Because it was so popular, he later released it as an extended play (EP) called There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP. The song "You Be Killin Em" from the EP reached number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In April 2011, Fabolous released a new project called The S.O.U.L. Tape. This mixtape featured Fabolous rapping over music that used soul samples. On Christmas Day 2011, he released There Is No Competition 3: Death Comes in 3's. On November 22, 2012, Fabolous released his seventh mixtape, The S.O.U.L. Tape 2. This mixtape included guest artists like Trey Songz, Pusha T, and J. Cole.

In late 2012, Fabolous announced his sixth album, first called Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power. The first song from this album, "Ready" featuring Chris Brown, came out in January 2013. The album was delayed and later renamed The Young OG Project.

On December 1, 2014, Fabolous announced that The Young OG Project would be released on Christmas Day 2014. He said the album would be "very '90s-inspired." On the same day, Roc Nation announced they would be managing Fabolous. The Young OG Project debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Recent Projects: Summertime Shootout and Collaborations

In October 2015, Fabolous shared that he would release two new projects by the end of the year. One of them was Summertime Shootout, a free mixtape released on November 26.

On February 29, 2016, Fabolous and Jadakiss announced they were working on a project together, first called Freddy vs. Jason. They later confirmed it would be a full album. On April 29, 2016, Fabolous worked with K-pop artist Jessica Jung on her song "Fly." On September 3, 2016, Fabolous released Summertime Shootout 2: The Level Up. The album with Jadakiss was later renamed Friday on Elm Street and released on November 24, 2017. It featured artists like Future and Swizz Beatz.

On July 8, 2018, Fabolous released a song called "Ooh Yeah" featuring Ty Dolla Sign. On October 14, 2019, he released "Choosy" featuring Jeremih and Davido.

On November 19, 2019, Fabolous shared a trailer for Summertime Shootout 3: Coldest Summer Ever, confirming its release date for November 29, 2019. This album was the final part of the Summertime Shootout series. It debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200, making it Fabolous's seventh album to reach the top 10.

Street Family Records

Street Family Records is a record label started by Fabolous in 2006 in Brooklyn, New York.

Artists on the label include:

• Fabolous
• Freck Billionaire
• Paul Cain
• Broadway
• Red Cafe

Family Life

Fabolous and his girlfriend Emily Bustamante have two sons and one daughter. They were born in 2008, 2015, and 2020.

Music Albums

Studio albums

• Ghetto Fabolous (2001)
• Street Dreams (2003)
• Real Talk (2004)
• From Nothin' to Somethin' (2007)
• Loso's Way (2009)
• The Young OG Project (2014)
• Summertime Shootout 3: Coldest Summer Ever (2019)

Collaboration albums

• Friday on Elm Street (with Jadakiss) (2017)

Film and TV Appearances

Awards and Nominations

• American Music Awards
  • 2007, Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Male Artist [Nominated]
• ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards
  • 2008, Top Rap Song, "Make Me Better" [Won]
• BET Awards
  • 2010, Best Male Hip Hop Artist [Nominated]
  • 2010, Best Collaboration, "Say Aah" with Trey Songz [Nominated]
  • 2010, Best Viewer's Choice, "Say Aah" with Trey Songz [Nominated]
• BET Hip Hop Awards
  • 2014, Best Mixtape, The Soul Tape 3 [Nominated]
  • 2009, Viewer's Choice, "Throw It in the Bag" with The-Dream [Won]
  • 2007, Best Hip Hop Collabo, "Make Me Better" with Ne-Yo [Nominated]
• Grammy Awards
  • 2010, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or a Group, "Money Goes, Honey Stays" with Jay-Z [Nominated]
  • 2005, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, "Dip It Low" with Christina Milian [Nominated]
• The Source Awards
  • 2003, Best Rap/R&B Collabo, "Can't Let You Go" with Lil Mo and Mike Shorey [Nominated]
  • 2003, Trendsetter of the Year [Nominated]
• Teen Choice Awards
  • 2007, Best Choice: Rap Artist [Nominated]
  • 2003, Choice Rap Track, "Can't Let You Go" with Lil Mo and Mike Shorey [Nominated]
  • 2003, Choice R&B/Hip Hop Track, "4Ever" with Lil Mo [Nominated]

See also

In Spanish: Fabolous para niños