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John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), better known as Fabolous, is an American rapper from Brooklyn
In 1998, Fabolous met DJ Clue who trusted this young talent. Under the moniker Fabolous Sport, the young rapper released a single "If They Want It" that was included in the album DJ Clue? The Professional. That would be his first time working with Def Jam that would later be a 'home' for him. Not long after that Fab tried to find his own path by signing a recording deal with Elektra. With Nate Dogg's partnership, Fabolous recorded the hit "Can't Deny It". His solo debut album Ghetto Fabolous (2001) peaked at #4 in Billboard 200 with four singles reaching Top 40 status. Two years later he was ready to release his second album that he named Street Dreams. The album only managed to land fourth place in Billboard album chart but still, Fabolous refused to rely on the full length album to spread his music. A mixtape titled “More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape� was released in the same year and even charted at #28 in Billboard 200. He would later on continue producing mixtapes that at the same time let him build mutual relationship with fellow musicians like Mariah Carey and Musiq Soulchild. Another record was released in 2004 under the title Real Talk and while not getting his fourth place anymore, this album was a comparable flop in his music career. It only peaked at #6, a position that marked the lowest sale of all his previous records at that time. He soon left Atlantic Records and signed a contract with Def Jam.Filling 2005 with collaboration, his duet with Christina Milian on "Dip It Low (remix)" was nominated in 2005 Grammy Award. However, fame and rivalry got in the way in October 2006 when he was shot while waiting for his entourage outside a New York restaurant. A gunman approached him and opened fire, and a shot went straight to his thigh. Upon fleeing with a car and running a red light, police caught them and discovered illegal possession of loaded guns.Fabolous escaped death but his name was embedded in police records. In 2007 he completed From Nothin' to Somethin' with numerous musicians such as Timbaland, Jazzy Pha, Polow Da Don, Akon, Swizz Beatz and Jermaine Dupri. He has noted that some of his favorite people to work with are Just Blaze and Rick Rock whom he feels have "more than two ears." Apt to its title, Fabolous meant to reconcile with his past through this record. "I been through situations I never been in before in my life," he said in an interview. "I got shot, been arrested, been in a relationship. I'm past really rapping for my block or my projects. I'm trying to grow. We been working really hard."
Fabolous is currently planning a clothing line released through the Rich Yung Society and he is currently on a remix of 50 Cent's "I Get Money" with Busta Rhymes, Rakim, LL Cool J and Jim Jones
Before receiving mainstream popularity, Fabolous released a single in 1998 entitled, If They Want It under his old moniker, Fabolous Sport. This song was released by Def Jam Recordings on the album DJ Clue? The Professional. It is also available on the DJ Kool Kid Mixtape entitled Pound For Pound featuring Fabolous and Jadakiss. In 2000, he released a second single through Elektra Records entitled, Gotta Be a Thug. This track can be found on DJ Clue Presents Backstage Mixtape (Soundtrack).
Fabolous was teamed with Nate Dogg to produce his first single Can't Deny It. The song charted in the Billboard Top 100, and the subsequent album, Ghetto Fabolous, achieved platinum certification. It reached #4 on the Billboard 200 with 143,180 copies sold and had three singles which charted on Rhythmic Top 40 and Billboard Hot 100 charts. The first of those singles is Can't Deny It which is produced by Rick Rock and features a chorus by Nate Dogg that alters lyrics from Tupac Shakur's song Ambitionz Az a Ridah. The other charting singles are Young'n (Holla Back) which is produced by The Neptunes and "Trade It All" which features vocals from Jagged Edge and is produced by DJ Clue and DURO.
Jackson released his second album Street Dreams on March 4, 2003. Powered by a Just Blaze beat and guest vocals from Lil' Mo and Mike Shorey, Can't Let You Go reached #1 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Into You with Tamia also reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Jackson's third album Real Talk was released on November 9, 2004. It debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 with 179,000 copies and had two charting singles, the lowest in his career. The two charting singles are Breathe and Baby. His second single was not promoted until weeks after the album's release. Making the video Do the Damn Thing cost Jackson $30,000. The song featured Young Jeezy, who became known to the public through this video. In early 2006, Fabolous moved to Def Jam and left Atlantic Records who received Musiq in return.
His fourth studio album, From Nothin' to Somethin', was released in June 2007. Fabolous takes over the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts for the first time in his career and the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 159,000 copies in its first week and 266,000 worldwide.It is his first album on Def Jam Records. The first single and video, Diamonds features Young Jeezy who also appeared on the Real Talk album on Do The Damn Thing. Although Lil' Wayne was originally featured on Diamonds, Young Jeezy made the final album due to "industry politics." The album was certified Gold in July of 2007.
The second single Make Me Better features fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo. The third single is reported to be Baby Don't Go featuring T-Pain. Change Up featuring Akon is expected to be his 4th single.
In January and March 2003, Jackson was arrested for possessing an unlicensed gun in his car. His bodyguard later showed proof of ownership for the gun.
Jackson was shot in his left leg on the morning of October 17, 2006 in Manhattan. The police saw the rapper and three other men accompanying him rushing through a red light and found unlicensed, loaded guns in their car leading to their arrest. After they found the weapons, Jackson was treated at a local hospital. Had a plan for a clothing line that will be released through Rich Yung Society.
Chipped in his work in Korean singer Se7en's American debut single "This Is My Year".
Fabolous was arrested in both January and March 2003 for possessing an unlicensed gun in his car.
In an interview with XXL, Jackson revealed that he has been in a long-term relationship that began in 2005.
Main article: Fabolous discography
