name	Fabolous
landscape	yes
background	solo_singer
birth name	John David Jackson| alias
born	November 18, 1977bronx, New York, U.S.
instrument	vocals
genre	Hip hop
occupation	Rapper, Producer, Songwriter, Actor, DJ
years active	1995–present
label	Desert Storm, Street Family Records, Def Jam
associated acts	Young Jeezy, Lloyd Banks, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Mo, Trey Songz, Drake, T.I, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Paul Cain, Red Cafe, Freck Billionaire, DJ Clue, Ryan Leslie, The-Dream, Roscoe Dash }}

John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut album ''Ghetto Fabolous''. The album reached number-three on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 1.05 million copies by 2003. His followup album, ''Street Dreams'' (2003), produced the Billboard Hot 100 number-four hits "Can't Let You Go", featuring Lil' Mo & Mike Shorey, and "Into You", featuring Tamia.

In 2004, Fabolous released the album ''Real Talk'', which peaked at number-six on the Billboard 200 with 169,000 copies sold in one week and contained the charting singles "Breathe" and "Baby". Following a three year hiatus since ''Real Talk'', the artist released his fourth studio album, ''From Nothin' to Somethin''' (2007), which debuted at number-two on the Billboard 200 and number-one on the Billboard Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums and sold 159,000 copies in its first week. The album spawned the singles "Diamonds", "Return of the Hustle", "Make Me Better", featuring Ne-Yo, and "Baby Don't Go", which featured Jermaine Dupri and T-Pain.

Fabolous' success continued with his 2009 album, ''Loso's Way'', which debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200, selling over 99,000 copies in its first week, and became the artist's first album to top the chart. ''Loso's Way'' produced the singles "My Time", "Everything, Everyday, Everywhere", "Throw It in the Bag", and "Money Goes, Honey Stay (When the Money Goes Remix)". He later released an extended play entitled ''There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP'', which contains the single "You Be Killin' Em".

To date, Fabolous has released five albums, which have collectively sold over three million copies in the United States. In September 2009, the rapper was ranked number eight on MTV's Hottest MC in the Game list.

Early life

Fabolous was born John David Jackson on November 18, 1977 of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

Music career

While in high school in twelfth grade, Fabolous began to pursue a rap career. He was invited to rap live on DJ Clue's radio show and on WQHT Hot 97, where he was signed to Desert Storm Records. He was featured on several DJ Clue mixtapes and mixtapes with Roc-A-Fella artists. This earned Fabolous and Desert Storm a distribution deal with Elektra Records.

2001–02: ''Ghetto Fabolous''

Fabolous released his debut album, ''Ghetto Fabolous'', on September 11, 2001. It debuted at number four on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling over 143,000 copies in its first week. The album's first single, "Can't Deny It", was produced by Rick Rock and features a chorus by Nate Dogg interpolating Tupac Shakur's song "Ambitionz Az a Ridah". It charted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, along with two of the subsequent singles. The other charting singles were "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.

2003: ''Street Dreams''

Fabolous 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 number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart and number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. "Into You" with Ashanti / Tamia also reached number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Also released on Street Dreams was the lead single club banger "This Is My Party" and "Trade It All Pt. 2" which featured Jagged Edge as it did on the Ghetto Fabolous version, as well as Diddy.

Exactly seven months later, on November 4, 2003, Fabolous dropped his official mixtape, More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape. It was an official release by his record label, Elektra. The album featured remixes and tracks not originally slated on ''Street Dreams''. This album was also an outlet for his three man crew, known as the Triangle Offense, consisting of himself, Paul Cain, and Joe Budden. The album actually features a remix to song ''Fire'', which was originally on Joe Budden's self-titled debut album.

2004–06: ''Real Talk''

Fabolous' third album ''Real Talk'' was released on November 5, 2004. It debuted at number six on the ''Billboard'' 200 with 179,000 copies and had two charting singles, the lowest in his career. The two charting singles are his street anthem "Breathe" and "Baby," which features Mike Shorey, and shows his more sensitive side that he has shown on many songs in the past. His second single was not promoted until weeks after the album's release. "Tit 4 Tat" was his third single. Pharrell of The Neptunes produced it and did the hook. Fab feels that the single didn't hit it as big as it should have due to poor advertising. Making the music video for his fourth single, "Do the Damn Thing" cost Jackson $30,000. The song featured Young Jeezy, who became known to the public through the video. The same year, Fabolous was nominated for a Grammy Award for his collaboration on the "Dip It Low" remix by Christina Milian. In early 2006, Fabolous moved to Def Jam and left Atlantic Records who received Musiq in return.

2007–08: ''From Nothin' to Somethin'''

His fourth studio album, ''From Nothin' to Somethin'', was released in June 2007. Fabolous took the number one spot on ''Billboard'''s Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts for the first time in his career and it debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 159,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified Gold in July 2007. It is his first album on Def Jam Recordings.

He was featured on the cover of video game ''Def Jam: Icon''.

The first single and video, "Diamonds", features Young Jeezy who also appeared on the ''Real Talk'' track "Do the Damn Thing". Lil Wayne and Remy Ma are featured on the remix. His second single was "Return of the Hustle" which featured Swizz Beatz, also came out before the album release, to some acclaim, but little airplay. His third single though, "Make Me Better," which features fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo, and is produced by Timbaland, was his biggest hit to date, spending 14 weeks at number one on the Hot Rap Track Billboard Chart. The fourth single was "Baby Don't Go." Jermaine Dupri produced it and T-Pain sings the hook. However, in music video version of the song, Jermaine Dupri sings the hook. This song also found success, reaching number four on the Hot Rap Track Chart.

2009: ''Loso's Way''

Fabolous released his fifth studio album, ''Loso's Way'', in July 2009. The album is based on the 1993 film ''Carlito's Way'', similar to Jay-Z's ''American Gangster''. The first official single is "Throw It in the Bag", featuring The-Dream, and is produced by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. The second single is "My Time", featuring Jeremih, and is produced by The Runners and Kevin "KC" Cossom. The third single is "Everything, Everyday, Everywhere", featuring Keri Hilson, and is produced by Ryan Leslie. The album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 99,000 copies in its first week. It became Fabolous' first album to top the chart. In its second week of sales, the album dropped 8 spots from #1 to #9, selling 37,000 copies. A deluxe album was released on the same day as the standard release. The edition features a bonus DVD, ("Loso's Way" the movie). The movie features Fabolous (and three other of his friends). Fabolous is leaving a restaurent when he is shot. His three friends quickly rush Fabolous to the hospital, but are stopped by the police after running a red light. Fellow rapper Styles P has a role in the movie. DJ Clue, DJ Khaled, Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz, DJ Envy, and Ryan Leslie make cameo appearances. The movie "Loso's Way" runs for 33:03 minutes. In order to view "Loso's Way", the deluxe album "Loso's Way" must be purchased. In September 2009, Fabolous was ranked number eight on MTV's Hottest MC in the Game list. In an interview on December 10, 2009 with MTV, he announced that he would be releasing part two to his mixtape series with DJ Drama entitled: "There is No Competition – Part 2: The Funeral Service." Fabolous announced that it would be released on Christmas day as a gift to his fans. He then pushed back the release date multiple times via Twitter before he and DJ Drama finally released the mixtape online on March 4, 2010. Fabolous said he plans to put out a third and final part to the series sometime in the future.

2010: There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP & Loso's Way 2

Fabolous released ''There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP'' on August 24, 2010 to help promote the release of ''Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power'', scheduled to be released on September 13, 2011. Fabolous will release his sixth album, ''Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power'', in 2011.

Clothing line

Fabolous stated in 2005 that he wanted to release his own clothing line in the coming years. Without publicizing detail, he went into a search for designers and manufacturers for his line to accomplish the task. After finding qualified staffing, Fabolous announced the name for his line is ''Rich Yung Society Clothing'', which has clothes in selected stores worldwide and are currently working on relaunching their website richyungsociety.com

Personal life

Family

In an interview with ''XXL'', Fabolous revealed that he has been in a long-term relationship with stylist Emily Bustamante, who recently appeared in VH1's ''Love & Hip-Hop'', that began in 2003. That long-term relationship produced a son in February 2008 named Johan Jackson.

Legal issues

In January and March 2003, Fabolous was arrested for possessing an unlicensed gun in his car. His bodyguard later showed proof of ownership for the gun. Fabolous put his career on hiatus for much of 2005 and 2006.

He was shot in his right leg, on the morning of October 17, 2006 in Manhattan after exiting Justin's, a restaurant owned by Sean "Diddy" Combs. The police saw the rapper and three other men accompanying him rushing through a red light and found an unlicensed, loaded gun in the car leading to their arrest. After they found the weapon, Fabolous was treated at a local hospital, he was released eight days later.

On February 24, 2009 Arkansas police seized of marijuana from Fabolous' tour bus as it returned from the NBA All-Star Game. Fabolous was not on board the bus at the time and was not charged in connection with the incident.

Controversy

Soulja Boy

On December 28, 2010, Fabolous during a radio interview commented on the claim that Soulja Boy does cocaine, saying "pretty boy swag but never coke my nose though", a reference to Soulja Boy's song "Pretty Boy Swag" and a video of video model and popular groupie Kat Stacks video taping Soulja Boy in a hotel room with cocaine. Soulja Boy went on a tirade on Twitter in response, saying "I ignore dis foo like 5x before this. fuck that. If you send some niggaz to spray me @myfabolouslife at least I die I real nigga fuck you boy." 50 Cent also took to Twitter to say, "leave him the f*** alone before somebody get hurt." Soulja Boy and Fabolous ended their beef on a radio interview.

Discography

2001: ''Ghetto Fabolous''

2003: ''Street Dreams''

2004: ''Real Talk''

2007: ''From Nothin' to Somethin'''

2009: ''Loso's Way''

2011: ''Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power''

2012: ''TBA (with Ne-Yo)''

Filmography

;Films

2006 ''Loso's Way: The Movie'' ''Loso's Way 2: The Movie''

Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
	|	''Scary Movie 4''	''Gunman''	Cameo
	2009	|	''Loso''	Main Role/Writer
	2011	|	''Loso''	Main Role/Writer

;Television

''Tosh.0 ''The Game (U.S. TV series)

Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
2005	The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)>The Apprentice''	As Himself
2010	Tosh.0''||	As Himself	(Season 2, episode 4)
2011	The Game'' ||	As Himself	(Season 4, episode 8)

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

*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]

References

External links

Official Def Jam Site

Category:1977 births Category:African American rappers Category:African American songwriters Category:American people of Dominican Republic descent Category:Living people Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Songwriters from New York Category:American shooting survivors Category:People from Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Category:Desert Storm Records artists

cs:Fabolous da:Fabolous de:Fabolous es:Fabolous fr:Fabolous ko:패볼러스 it:Fabolous sw:Fabolous nl:Fabolous ja:ファボラス no:Fabolous pl:Fabolous pt:Fabolous ro:Fabolous fi:Fabolous sv:Fabolous tr:Fabolous zh:神奇小子 (歌手)

Name	Young Jeezy
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Jay Wayne Jenkins
Alias	Lil J
Born	October 12, 1977 Columbia, South Carolina
Death date	|origin Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, songwriter
Years active	2001–present
Label	Corporate Thugz/Def Jam, Def Jam South
Associated acts	USDA, Freddie Gibbs, Drake, T.I., Kanye West, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Bun B, Usher
Website	www.islanddefjam.com/artist/home.aspx?artistID7320

Jay Wayne Jenkins (born October 12, 1977), better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper and member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (USDA) and a former member of BMF (Black Mafia Family). He began his career in 2001 under an independent label and joined Boyz 'N Da Hood in 2005, the same year his solo major label debut ''Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101'' was released. Its single "Soul Survivor", which featured Akon, became a top-ten hit in the US.

''The Inspiration'' followed in 2006, and ''The Recession'' followed in 2008; both albums yielded chart-topping singles. Jeezy has also appeared on numerous other rap and R&B; singles such as "Say I" by Christina Millian, "I'm So Paid" by Akon, "Hard" by Rihanna, and "Love In This Club" by Usher, the latter being a number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2008.

Early life

Jay Wayne Jenkins was born in Columbia, South Carolina and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia when he was a toddler. Because his parents were separated, custody of him transferred between family members frequently. At one point, he lived with his grandmother in Hawkinsville, Georgia. In an interview with ''XXL'' magazine, he described his childhood as "empty". In 1994, he spent nine months in YCA (Youth Challenge Academy), a boot camp in Fort Stewart, Georgia, for narcotics possession.

Music career

Independent debut

Jeezy released his first independent album, ''Thuggin' Under the Influence'' (''T.U.I.''), in 2001 under the name Lil J. It featured artists such as Freddy J.,Kinky B, Fidank, and Lil Jon, who also produced some of the tracks. In 2003, Jeezy released (also independently) ''Come Shop wit Me'', a two CD set featuring completely new tracks with some songs from ''T.U.I.'' Jeezy signed with Bad Boy Records in 2004 and joined the group Boyz n da Hood, whose self-titled album was released in June 2005 and peaked at #5 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums charts.

''Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101'' (2005)

In May 2004, Jazze Pha's manager Henry 'Noonie' Lee showed Young Jeezy's demo to his friend Shakir Stewart, Vice President Artist and Repertoire (VP A&R;) at Def Jam. Stewart "fell in love with it [the demo] the first time [he] heard it" and took it to L.A. Reid. Reid recognised the talent and gave Stewart the green light to sign him. As the "hottest thing on the street" at the time, various labels - including Warner and Interscope – were after his signature. However, Jeezy decided he wanted to be in business with Stewart and Reid. As a result, signed with Def Jam Records.

Jeezy's major label debut, ''Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101'', was released on July 26, 2005. He debuted at #2, selling 172,000 copies in its first week. It spawned several hit singles such as "Soul Survivor" featuring Akon. It reached #4 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts. "And Then What" featuring Mannie Fresh, which reached #67 on the Hot 100 and #13 on the Hot Rap Tracks. "My Hood", #19 on the Rap chart. In an interview with HitQuarters, A&R; Shakir Stewart said that Jeezy had recorded over 60 songs for the album.

Jeezy partially wrote and performed on Gucci Mane's song, "Icy". Supposedly, Jeezy was never paid properly for his services. Those in Gucci Mane's camp have suggested that gang members from the Mechanicsville area attacked Gucci Mane to defend Jeezy's honor. Jeezy put out a track called "Stay Strapped" dissing Gucci Mane to the beat of "T.I.'s" song "A.S.A.P." Jeezy responded to Gucci Mane's, while rapping "even his own momma know, Radric Davis a bitch". In a recent Cutmaster C mixtape, ''The Hood News Page 3: Jay-Z Boycotts Cristal'', Gucci disses Jeezy along with Jay Z in his track, "745". Jeezy addresses Gucci back on the same mixtape. While on the track "Break It Down", featuring Cmillz. On "Streets On Lock", from The Inspiration, Jeezy addressed Gucci Mane again, saying "What type of real nigga name himself after a bag?/Nigga you's a hoe, a Louis Vuitton fag". Towards the end of 2009, DJ Drama brought Young Jeezy to the radio station and called Gucci Mane to settle the beef once and for all. The two stopped feuding but throughout early 2010, the crews of Jeezy & Gucci (CTE & Brick Squad) have been in and out altercations with each other despite the fact Jeezy & Gucci have nothing to do with that. In 2011, Jeezy plans to release a new single featuring DJ Spluge and the rest of the Gangster Brigade.

In interviews and on several records, Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music. Maintaining his street credibility, according to Jeezy, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist. In 2005, Jeezy was featured in several popular hip hop songs including Gucci Mane's "Icy" and Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz". Due to having a successful solo career, he left the group. From time to time he still keeps in contact with a few of the members, but in early 2010 Jeezy & Jody Breeze (who is still a member of Boyz N Da Hood) began to diss each other which started a new beef between the two.

''The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102'', U.S.D.A. (2006–2007)

In 2006, he was featured in Christina Milian's single "Say I". Jeezy's second major label album was ''The Inspiration'', released in 2006. The album's first single "I Luv It" peaked at #14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. "Bury Me A G" and "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly, and "Dreamin’" featuring Keyshia Cole followed.

He also portrayed himself in the hip-hop fighting themed game ''Def Jam: Icon''. In 2007, Jeezy released ''Cold Summer'', an album by rap group USDA which consists of Jeezy, Blood Raw, Slick Pulla, 2Eleven and Boo Rossini.

Jeezy presented a week-long toy drive and charity event series with his CTE family with the first annual Toyz n da Hood toy drive. The series presented 1,000 toys for 1,000 kids at various locations in Macon and Atlanta, which began on December 17, 2007, with the CTE Christmas Kickoff from 10 pm to 5 am at Club Miami. The toy giveaway took place in the Unionville neighborhood of Macon and at the Old Fourth Ward Community in Atlanta.

''The Recession'' (2008)

His third album, ''The Recession'', was released in 2008. "Put On" featuring Kanye West was the lead single, which also led to a Grammy Nomination for Best Rap performance by a duo, but it came short. Put On was followed by "Vacation", "Crazy World", "My President" with Nas, and "Who Dat" to complete the Recession's singles. Jeezy appeared on the R&B; singles "Love in this Club" by Usher and "I'm So Paid" by Akon (also with Lil Wayne). "Love in this Club" peaked at #1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Later, he performed on Ciara's single "Never Ever", from her album ''Fantasy Ride''.

In the summer of 2008, Jeezy was at the center of a controversy over his choice for president. While he had previously endorsed Barack Obama, he spoke about meeting and supporting John McCain during an interview with ''Vibe'' magazine. The statement caused a stir, and Jeezy quickly clarified his choice, via a viral video. In the four-minute explanation, Jeezy made it clear, Obama was his main choice. "I represent the Democratic party. ... I've never been nor do I ever plan to be a John McCain supporter", the rapper said. "I support Barack Obama." Jeezy and Jay-Z performed in a concert to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 18, 2009. On ''The O'Reilly Factor'', commentator Bill O'Reilly criticized their performance as a "rant that offended people", but Jeezy responded: "I got white friends. It's nothing like that. I'm a taxpayer, I got a right to voice my opinion at any point in time. I don't think he really understands my struggle."

''TM103'' (2011-present)

Jeezy is working on ''Thug Motivation 103'', his latest LP, as of November 2009. In March 2010, it was reported that Young Jeezy dropped "Young" from his stage name. Later, Young Jeezy denied the name change and claimed it was just a rumor: however, on the cover for his single "Lose My Mind", his name is printed as "Jeezy". On May 17, 2011, Jeezy released the first single for ''Thug Motivation 103'', "Ballin", which features Lil Wayne.

On March 4, 2010 Jeezy released the track "Illin", featuring the group Clipse; specifically Pusha T. On the track Pusha T raps, "No amount of record sales could derail this ...Stuffing dead prezzies in the wall like that Yale bitch..." The line was controversial and many felt the line was in bad taste and demeaned Yale student Annie Le, who was murdered in 2009, by making light of a crime that had grabbed a lot of media attention due to its extremely upsetting and tragic nature. On July 26, 2011, Young Jeezy announced a September 20, 2011 release date for TM103.

Personal life

He is a personal friend of fellow Atlanta rapper Yung Joc. After Hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened his house to the victims in an effort to help them have a place to stay. In October 2005, the mother of his 9 year old son used this as the basis to petition for child support. Early in the year, she had claimed that she had little income, no assets and did not even have a house.

On March 11, 2005, Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shooting involving some of his friends in Miami Beach, Florida. He was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit; however, prosecutors dropped his charges two months later over lack of evidence. In the early hours of September 29, 2007, Jeezy totaled his Lamborghini when it was hit by a taxi crossing Peachtree Street, outside of Justin's, Sean Combs’ restaurant in Atlanta. The ''Atlanta Journal Constitution'' reported his claim that this gave him "a new appreciation for life". In Atlanta on June 18, 2008, police arrested him for DUI.

Discography

;Studio albums

2005: ''Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101''

2006: ''The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102''

2008: ''The Recession''

2011: ''Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition''

Independent albums

2001: ''Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.)''

2003: ''Come Shop wit Me''

;Collaboration albums

2005: ''Boyz n da Hood'' (with Boyz n da Hood)

2007: ''Cold Summer'' (with U.S.D.A)

2011: ''The Afterparty'' (with U.S.D.A)

Filmography

2009: ''Janky Promoters''

Awards

BET Awards

*2010, Viewer's Choice Award ("Hard") with Rihanna [Won]

*2009, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist [Nominated]

2008, Best Collaboration ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated]

BET Hip-Hop Awards

2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated]

2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Won]

2008, People's Champ Award ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated]

2006, Hip-Hop CD of the Year ("Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101") [Nominated]

2006, Hip-Hop MVP of the Year [Nominated]

Grammy Awards

2009, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated]

*2010, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Amazing") with Kanye West (Nominated)

*2011, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Lose My Mind") with Plies (Nominated)

Ozone Awards

*2008, Best Rap Artist [Nominated]

*2008, Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("Love in this Club") with Usher (Won)

*2007, Best Rap Album ''The Inspiration'' (Won)

*2007, Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("Go Getta") with R. Kelly [Nominated]

*2007, Best Video ("Grew Up a Screw Up") with Ludacris [Nominated]

*2007, Best Group with Slick Pulla & Blood Raw as USDA [Nominated]

References

External links

Official website

Young Jeezy Interview at prefixmag

Young Jeezy Circulate Music Video

Young Jeezy Talks About Nas

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:African American rappers Category:Musicians from South Carolina Category:People convicted of drug offenses Category:People from Columbia, South Carolina Category:Rappers from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Southern hip hop musicians Category:Pseudonymous rappers

cs:Young Jeezy de:Jeezy es:Young Jeezy fr:Young Jeezy ko:영 지지 it:Young Jeezy nl:Young Jeezy ja:ヤング・ジージー no:Young Jeezy pl:Young Jeezy pt:Young Jeezy ru:Young Jeezy simple:Young Jeezy fi:Young Jeezy sv:Jeezy tr:Young Jeezy zh:杰伊·詹金斯

:''Not to be confused with Drama (rapper).''

Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Tyree Cinque Simmons
Alias	Drama Boy
Birth date	April 22, 1978
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	DJ, record producer
Years active	2001–present
Label	E1 Music, Aphilliates Music Group, TM3 Records
Associated acts	Don Cannon, T.I., Lil Wayne, Willie the Kid, Smokey, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, Trey Songz, Fabolous
website	GangstaGrillz.com }}

Tyree Cinque Simmons (born April 22, 1978 in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I... He is best known for producing mixtapes, including the successful "Gangsta Grillz" series and ''Dedication 2'', which the ''New York Times'' called one of the "10 best recordings of 2006".

DJ Drama, Don Cannon, and DJ Sense founded Aphilliates Music Group in 2003. The Aphilliates Music Group inked a label deal with Asylum Records in 2006, signing rapper Willie the Kid. As of January 2011, The Aphilliates now operates as its own entity, due to DJ Drama recently cutting ties with La the Darkman and Embassy Entertainment.

Music career

DJ Drama's debut album, ''Gangsta Grillz: The Album'', was released in December 2007 on the Grand Hustle label. The album's first street single, "Takin Pictures", was released in 2007 and featured Young Jeezy, Willie the Kid, Jim Jones, Rick Ross, Young Buck and T.I., while the first single, "5000 Ones", featuring Nelly, T.I., Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Young Jeezy and Twista, debuted on BET. The second single, "The Art of Storytellin' Part 4", was released in 2008 and featured OutKast and Marsha Ambrosius. In 2009, DJ Drama released his second album entitled ''Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2)'', the first single was "Day Dreaming", which featured Akon, Snoop Dogg and T.I. The second single was "Ridiculous", which featured Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Lonnie Mac and OJ da Juiceman. Both singles were released in 2009. DJ Drama will release his third studio album, ''Third Power'', in 2011. The Gangsta Grillz album reunites DJ Drama and Don Cannon who had gone their separate ways for a few years after a lot of fighting and arguing as business partners. He is married to video vixen Summer Walker.

Film career

DJ Drama has appeared in T.I.'s ''ATL'' in 2006, and T-Pain's ''Freaknik: The Musical'' in 2010.

Discography

Albums

{|class="wikitable" !rowspan=2|Year !rowspan=2|Title !colspan=4|Chart positions !rowspan=2|Sales |- !width=40|US !width=40|US R&B; !width=40|US Rap !width=40|US Comp |- |2007 |''Gangsta Grillz: The Album''

Released: December 4, 2007

Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic

|align=center|26 |align=center|3 |align=center|2 |align=center|29 |

US: 320,000+

|- |2009 |''Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2)''

Released: May 19, 2009

Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic

|align=center|26 |align=center|5 |align=center|4 |align=center|26 |

US: 75,000+

|- |2011 |''Third Power'' Released: October 4, 2011

Label: Aphilliates/E1

|align=center colspan=5|

To be released

|}

Singles

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Song !colspan="3"|Chart positions !rowspan="2"|Album |- !width="40"|US !width="40"|US
R&B; !width="40"|US
Rap |- |2007 |align="left"|"5000 Ones"
(featuring Nelly, T.I., Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Young Jeezy, Diddy & Twista) |align="center"|— |align="center"|73 |align="center"|— |rowspan="2"|''Gangsta Grillz: The Album'' |- |2008 |align="left"|"The Art of Storytellin' Part 4"
(featuring OutKast & Marsha Ambrosius) |align="center"|— |align="center"|91 |align="center"|— |- |rowspan="2"|2009 |align="left"|"Day Dreaming"
(featuring Akon, Snoop Dogg, & T.I.) |align="center"|— |align="center"|88 |align="center"|— |rowspan="2"|''Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2)'' |- |align="left"|"Ridiculous"
(featuring Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Lonnie Mac, & OJ da Juiceman) |align="center"|— |align="center"|104 |align="center"|— |- |rowspan="2"|2011 |align="Left"|"Oh My"
(featuring Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa & Roscoe Dash) |align="center"|95 |align="center"|18 |align="center"|12 |rowspan="2"|''Third Power'' |- |align="left"|"Words of Advice"
(featuring Lil Wayne, Mack Maine & Kevin Cossom) |align="center"|— |align="center"|— |align="center"|— |}

Awards

BET Hip Hop Awards

*DJ of the Year (Nominated)

Ozone Awards

*2008, Best Mixtape (''Hood Generals'') with BG (Won)

*''Note: The award was a tie with Chamillionaire's Mixtape Messiah 3''

References

Notes

Interview with DJ Drama's sister after the January 16th raid, Mixtapeshow.net, January 27, 2007

April 2007 Interview, Allhiphop.com, April 2007

Jeff Leeds, "Cracking down on mixtape CDs", New York Times, January 22, 2007

Samantha M. Shapiro, "Hip-hop outlaw (industry version)", New York Times Magazine, February 18, 2007

"Exclusive: DJ Drama Q&A;", Rhapsody.com, January 11, 2008

External links

Gangsta Grillz website

The Aphilliates

DJ Drama at MTV

[

[ [

[[Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Hip hop DJs Category:Mixtape DJs Category:People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

de:DJ Drama es:DJ Drama pl:DJ Drama fi:DJ Drama sv:DJ Drama

name	Wiz Khalifa
alt	Wiz Khalifa holding a microphone
background	solo_singer
birth name	Cameron Jibril Thomaz
alias
born	September 08, 1987Minot, North Dakota, United States
origin	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
genre	Hip hop
occupation	Rapper, Singer
years active	2005–present
label	Rostrum, Warner Bros., Atlantic
associated acts	Tinie Tempah, Snoop Dogg,Rick Ross, Curren$y, Big Sean, Fashawn, Mac Miller
website	wizkhalifa.com
notable instruments	}}

Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper. He released his debut album, ''Show and Prove'', in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007. His eurodance-influenced single, "Say Yeah", received urban radio airplay, charting on the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot Rap Tracks charts in 2008. Khalifa parted with Warner Bros. and released his second album, ''Deal or No Deal'', in November 2009. He released the mixtape ''Kush and Orange Juice'' as a free download in April 2010; he then signed with Atlantic Records. He is also well-known for his debut single for Atlantic, "Black and Yellow", which peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album for the label, ''Rolling Papers'', was released on March 29, 2011.

Early life

Khalifa was born on September 8, 1987 in Minot, North Dakota, to a mother and a father serving in the military. His parents divorced when Khalifa was about three years old. His parents' military service caused him to move on a regular basis. Khalifa lived in Germany, England, and Japan before settling in Pittsburgh where he attended Taylor Allderdice High School.

His stage name is derived from khalifa, an Arabic word meaning "successor", and wisdom, which was shortened to Wiz when Khalifa was fifteen. Khalifa stated to spinner.com that the name also came from being called "young Wiz 'cause I was good at everything I did, and my granddad is Muslim, so he gave me that name; he felt like that's what I was doing with my music." He got his stage name tattooed on his 17th birthday. He includes Camp Lo, The Notorious B.I.G. and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony among his influences.

Career

2005-08: Early mixtapes and ''Show and Prove''

Khalifa released his first mixtape, ''Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania'', in 2005. The mixtape led to his first full length album entitled ''Show and Prove'' in 2006. Khalifa was declared an "artist to watch" that year in ''Rolling Stone'' magazine.

In 2007, Khalifa signed to Warner Bros. Records and released two mixtapes through Rostrum Records: ''Grow Season'', hosted by DJ Green Lantern and released on July 4, 2007, and ''Prince of the City 2'', released on November 20, 2007. His debut Warner Bros. single "Say Yeah" reached number 25 on the ''Billboard'' Rhythmic Top 40 music chart and number 20 on ''Billboard's'' Hot Rap Tracks. The song samples "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay. Khalifa's vocals from "Say Yeah" appear near the end of Pittsburgh mash up producer Girl Talk's 2008 album, ''Feed the Animals'', over music from Underworld's "Born Slippy", Usher's "Love in This Club", and the Cure's "In Between Days". Khalifa appeared with The Game, David Banner and Play-n-Skillz at U92's Summer Jam at the USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah on August 2, 2008. Khalifa released the mixtapes ''Star Power'' in September 2008, and ''Flight School'' in April 2009 on Rostrum Records.

Khalifa parted ways with Warner Bros. Records in July 2009 after numerous delays in releasing his planned debut album for the label, ''First Flight''. Khalifa stated to the ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'' that, "I learned a lot during my time there and matured as an artist during the process. I'm happy to be moving on with all of my material and having the chance to be in control of my next moves". Khalifa appeared with Girl Talk, Modey Lemon, Donora, Grand Buffet, and Don Caballero at the Amphitheatre at Station Square in Pittsburgh on July 31, 2009, where he announced that his relationship with Warner Bros. was over.

2009-10: ''Deal or No Deal''

Continuing his association with Rostrum Records, Khalifa released the single "Teach U to Fly", and the mixtape ''How Fly'', a collaboration with New Orleans rapper Curren$y, on August 9, 2009. Khalifa introduced a more melodic style on the mixtape, alternating between singing and rapping. He opened for Wu-Tang Clan member U-God at the 2009 CMJ Music Marathon in New York City. Khalifa released the mixtape ''Burn After Rolling'' on November 2, 2009, where he raps over familiar beats from other artists, including the songs "If I Were A Boy" and "Diva" by Beyoncé, "Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun, "Luchini AKA This Is It" by Camp Lo, and "Best I Ever Had" by Drake. Khalifa released his second album, ''Deal or No Deal'', on November 24, 2009.

Khalifa performed at Emo's in Austin, Texas in March 2010 as part of the 2010 South by Southwest Music Festival. He appeared on the cover of ''XXL'' magazine that same month, for the magazine's annual list of Top 10 Freshman, which included Donnis, J. Cole, Pill, Freddie Gibbs, and Fashawn. Wiz Khalifa was named 2010 "Rookie Of The Year" by "The Source", with alongside Rick Ross, "The Man Of The Year". He toured with rapper Yelawolf on a 20-date tour, the Deal Or No Deal Tour. Khalifa released the free mixtape ''Kush and Orange Juice'' for download on April 14, 2010. Due to Khalifa's devoted grassroots fan base, the mixtape became the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter with the hash tag #kushandorangejuice, and "Kush and Orange Juice download” ranked No. 1 on Google’s hot search trends.

2010: Signing with Atlantic Records

Citing music industry insiders, ''New York'' magazine wrote that Khalifa signed with Atlantic Records in April 2010, although the rapper did not confirm it. He stated to AllHipHop in June 2010 that he was working on a new album, but was weighing his options and had not yet decided on a label to distribute it. Khalifa confirmed to MTV on July 30 that he was signing an Atlantic Records deal.

Khalifa was featured in a remix and video for the 2010 Rick Ross single "Super High", alongside Curren$y. He guested on the mixtape ''Grey Goose, Head Phones, and Thirsty Women '' by St. Louis rapper M.C, and was featured on the track "The Breeze (Cool)" on rapper Wale's August 2010 mixtape ''More About Nothing''. Khalifa was named MTV's Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010, winning with nearly 70,000 votes, and beating out finalists Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Travis Porter, and Diggy Simmons.

Khalifa appeared at the Soundset 2010 festival in May 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, alongside Method Man & Redman, Del the Funky Homosapien and Hieroglyphics, Atmosphere, Murs, Cage, and others. He also performed at the 2010 Rock the Bells festival, along with hip hop veterans Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, KRS-One, Jedi Mind Tricks and Slick Rick. Khalifa declined an invitation to tour with rapper Drake and launched his own "Waken Baken" tour, a 50-city national tour with rapper Yelawolf. The tour, scheduled to last from September to November 2010, has, as of October, sold out every venue. On November 2010, during his "Waken Baken" tour at East Carolina University, Wiz Khalifa was arrested for possession and trafficking of marijuana. He was then released the next morning after a $300K bail, and resumed his tour. Khalifa performed in a cypher during the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards. He recited his verse from the song, "The Check Point", from his mixtape with Curren$y, ''How Fly''.

2010-11: Mainstream success and ''Rolling Papers''

Khalifa released "Black and Yellow", his first single for Rostrum/Atlantic, produced by Stargate, which has received radio airplay. The single was peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100; the title of the song refers to the colours of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Khalifa will release his debut album with Atlantic Records in 2011. He appeared with Curren$y on the track "Scaling the Building" on producer Ski Beatz' 2010 album, ''24 Hour Karate School''. Khalifa's fanbase is known as the Taylor Gang, named after his love of Chuck Taylor All-Stars shoes.

On March 29, 2011, Khalifa released his first studio album, ''Rolling Papers''. The album debuted at number two on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, with first-week sales of 197,000 copies in the United States.

On June 26, 2011, Khalifa was nominated and won Best New Artist at the BET Awards of 2011.

Khalifa collaborated with the prolific British rapper Tinie Tempah whom Tinie announced in an interview with Rolling Stone that his next single is to be called "Till I'm Gone" and would feature Wiz Khalifa and is to be produced by Stargate. The single and the video song were released at the end of June 2011.

Personal life

Thomaz is dating Amber Rose, the former girlfriend of Thomaz's fellow hip-hop star Kanye West. He is also personal friends with rapper Yelawolf, and fellow Pittsburgh rapper, Mac Miller.

Discography

;Studio albums

''Show and Prove'' (2006)

''Deal or No Deal'' (2009)

''Rolling Papers'' (2011)

References

External links

Wiz Khalifa at MTV

Category:1987 births Category:Military brats Category:African American rappers Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Category:People from Minot, North Dakota Category:Rappers from Pennsylvania

bs:Wiz Khalifa ca:Wiz khalifa cs:Wiz Khalifa da:Wiz Khalifa de:Wiz Khalifa es:Wiz Khalifa fa:ویز خلیفا fr:Wiz Khalifa hr:Wiz Khalifa it:Wiz Khalifa he:ויז קאליפה nl:Wiz Khalifa ja:ウィズ・カリファ no:Wiz Khalifa pl:Wiz Khalifa pt:Wiz Khalifa ro:Wiz Khalifa ru:Wiz Khalifa simple:Wiz Khalifa sh:Wiz Khalifa fi:Wiz Khalifa sv:Wiz Khalifa vi:Wiz Khalifa zh:维兹·卡利法

Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Jeffery Johnson, Jr.
Born	Little Rock, Arkansas April 02, 1990
Height	5'11
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genre	Hip Hop
Occupation	Rapper, Vocalist
Years active	2009–present
Label	MyndState, Zone 4, MusicLine Group, Interscope
Associated acts	Soulja Boy, Wale , J. Holiday, Waka Flocka Flame, T-Pain, Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa Big Sean, Kanye West, DJ Drama, Mishon, Maino
Website	Roscoe Dash website }}

Jeffery Johnson, Jr. (born April 2, 1990), better known by his stage name Roscoe Dash, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia.

Career

Major label success

Roscoe Dash is currently a part of Interscope Records. His debut album, ''Ready Set Go!'', was set to release on October 5, 2010 according to his recent mixtape Demolition 2020. However, it currently has no release date after a couple pushbacks. Dash and fellow record acts are collaborating on a new mixtape called "Jigger What: The Next Level." It is scheduled to be released on his website this summer. Roscoe Dash released his third mixtape ''Dash Effect'' on August 3, 2011. During the summer of 2009, Roscoe Dash, along with a few other singers including Drew Mann, performed at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia for a celebration of a popular radio station. The radio station, Hot 107.9, held a concert called "Birthday Bash" for thousands of people.

Personal life

|source=Roscoe Dash, on what motivated him to start rapping.}} Johnson is the oldest of his siblings. He has a brother, two half-sisters, and two stepbrothers. Johnson also has a daughter.

Discography

Studio albums

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions	scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"	Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
! scope="col" style="width:2.2em;font-size:90%;"	! scope="col" style="width:2.2em;font-size:90%;"	! scope="col" style="width:2.2em;font-size:90%;"
''Ready Set Go!''		* Release date: TBA	* Label: GME, MusicLine, MMI, 2010: ''Demolition 2020 "With DJ Kutthroat" 2011: ''Dash Effect (With DJ Drama & DJ Kutthroat) Singles Year Title Chart positions Album ! style="width:40px;" ! style="width:40px;" ! style="width:40px;" style="text-align:left style="text-align:left;" rowspan="1" Other charted songs Year Title Chart positions Album ! style="width:40px;" ! style="width:40px;" ! style="width:40px;" As featured performer Year Title Chart positions Album ! style="width:40px;" ! style="width:40px;" ! style="width:40px;" style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;" style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;" style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;" style="text-align:left;" References External links [[Category:African American rappers">Zone 4 (record label)	* Format: [[Compact disc	TBR	TBR	TBR

Mixtapes

2010: ''Can't Catch the Lambo "With DJ Kutthroat"

2010: ''Demolition 2020 "With DJ Kutthroat"

2011: ''Dash Effect (With DJ Drama & DJ Kutthroat)

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions	Album
! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"
style="text-align:left
				style="text-align:left;" rowspan="1"

Other charted songs

Year	Title	Chart positions	Album
! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"

As featured performer

Year	Title	Chart positions	Album
! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"
	style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"
style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"
	style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"
				style="text-align:left;"

References

External links

[[Category:African American rappers Category:Rappers from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Living people Category:1990 births