Fabolous speaks on "Ghetto Fabolous" debut and upcoming "Loso's Way 2"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Although it does not feel like it, Fabolous is officially a ten year veteran in the game. The world was introduced to Fabolous when he provided a rap verse to Lil' Mo's "Superwoman." It has been an incredible journey for Fabolous and he is currently preparing to release his sixth studio album, Loso's Way 2.

While two years have passed since Fabolous last released an album, he has been hot on the mixtape scene. Earlier this year, he released his S.O.U.L. Tape mixtape. Reflecting back to the early days of his career, Fabolous discussed his favorite track off Ghetto Fabolous.

Fabolous said it is crazy ten years have passed since he released the album. The Brooklyn rapper said his debut album was like his baby. Wanting the success that comes along with the rap game, Fabolous admitted he was not thinking about longevity, at the time. Over time, the focus changed and, ten years later, Fabolous is still going strong.

"Keeping It Gangsta" is Fabolous' personal favorite track from his debut album. On the remix, Fabolous featured The L.O.X. and M.O.P. Fabolous said he loved the remix because he had heard The L.O.X. on several DJ Clue mixtapes and he grew up listening to M.O.P. With both groups being legends, Fabolous said it was big for him to land them both on a track for his debut album. The accomplishments of the past were great and ten years later, some regard Fabolous as a legend.

Currently, Fabolous is focused on Loso's Way 2 and getting it released. Initially, Fabolous wanted to release the album on the ten year anniversary of Ghetto Fabolous' release, September 11. However, he did not have the beats he wanted and Fabolous would much rather give the fans quality, as opposed to releasing a new album exactly ten years after his first release. Fabolous said the theme of his new album will be similar to that of his debut, but the overall focus is on evolution.

Read more...

Fabolous breaks silence on Ray J fight

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Yesterday, Fabolous and Ray J made the top of headlines all over the internet. The two, who have been friends for nearly a decade, got into an altercation in Las Vegas. Their fight stems from comments Fabolous made about Ray J on Twitter.

Ray J discussed the fight on Power 105, saying he gave Fabolous a couple scars he will not forget. Fabolous later called into Power 105 to speak with DJ Clue about his side of the story. While Ray J has been hyping it up, Fabolous says it is not too big of a deal.

Fabolous said their fight was more of a war on drugs. The Brooklyn emcee claimed Ray J was high on cocaine. After hearing Ray J's rant, Fabolous said it was very funny. Fabolous was entertained by the way Ray J acted and his comments on the situation.

Even though people are clear about what took place between Fabolous and Ray J, many are confused about why the two fought. Fabolous said his tweets stemmed from Ray J's appearance with Floyd Mayweather on his HBO feature, "24/7." Initially, Ray J did not seem to have any problems with Fabolous' comments, but things got out of hand when Fabolous was set to perform at the Palms Casino.

Read more...

DJ Clue restarts "The Professional" series

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The last time DJ Clue released a Professional compilation album was in 2006, when he released part three. During his time off, Clue watched his label move from Atlantic Records to Def Jam. He has also watched as Fabolous became one of the biggest stars under the Def Jam umbrella.

DJ Clue has been overseeing Fabolous' career ever since 1998. At the time, going by Fabolous Sport, Fab was featured on several Clue mixtapes. One of his songs were heard by Elektra Records and a deal was quickly made, landing Fabolous with Elektra. From there, the rest has been history.

Now, with Fabolous releasing his latest mixtape, DJ Clue had a major announcement to make. The former Roc-A-Fella DJ announced he was going to revive The Professional series. The reason the series has been delayed for so long is because of the various artists featured. Artists work under their own schedule and all DJ Clue does is promote.

Read more...

Fabolus says Ne-Yo album is On The Way

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

When Fabolous first signed with Desert Storm, he was joined by a new R&B artist, Mike Shorey. DJ Clue tried his hardest to make the two into the next rap/R&B duo. The two created a few hits, but they never did break into the mainstream.

DJ Clue has been trying to build Desert Storm for years, but the label has not grown outside of Fabolous. Because of this, Clue has focused solely on Fabolous. When he made the move to Def Jam it was to make it easier for Fabolous to work with his associates.

The first move made was pairing Fabolous and Ne-Yo. At the start, the two made a hit with "Make Me Better." Fabolous made his first performance at the BET Awards with the song. He promised more music in the future with Ne-Yo.

In 2008, the two recorded with Jamie Foxx for his hit, "She Got Her Own" and their popularity soared because of the hit. Fabolous then announced he and Ne-Yo were going to unite for a best of both worlds-type collaboration album. Their album was supposed to come out sometime following the release of the solo album from Fabolous. The album has yet to surface and Fabolous is preparing for the release of his next solo album.

For the fans who have been following the news about the album, Fabolous said it is still in the workings. He plans to have the album ready for release sometime before the end of this year.

Read more...

DJ Clue is leaving Def Jam

Ever since he has been in the game, DJ Clue has been signed to Def Jam. In the late 1990s, he became the official DJ of Roc-A-Fella Records. The late 1990s was when Roc-A-Fella Records was at its peak. DJ Clue used his superstar status to create his own record label, Desert Storm and he soon landed a deal with Elektra Records.

Late in 2000, DJ Clue met Fabolous and made him into the first artist signed to his label. This move paid off big time as Fab would go on to become one of the bigger rappers in the game. He would keep Desert Storm with Elektra Records until the label shut down. The shut down led to his label being moved over to Atlantic Records. After a bad experience with Atlantic, DJ Clue decided to move to Def Jam, which was hailed by Jay-Z.

Once Fabolous finally released his album on Def Jam, he seemed poised to become the next star of both Desert Storm and Def Jam. But, for some reason, he has never been able to keep the fans coming back like Jay-Z has. His album was not even able to go platinum, as it stalled at gold and his 2009 effort, Loso’s Way, suffered from similar stagnation.

Fabolous was poised to become the new face of Def Jam while Jay-Z was the head of the label, but when Jay-Z stepped down, the new management did not care for Fabolous. It has been said that the only artists that Def Jam actually cares about are Rick Ross and Kanye West. Even such longtime artists as Ludacris do not receive the treatment of Rick Ross.

DJ Clue has been on the outs with Def Jam ever since Jay-Z resigned as CEO of the label and he is now looking for the exit. He is ready to leave Def Jam for another label and he will be taking his franchise player, Fabolous, with him. If DJ Clue, Fabolous, and Desert Storm end up leaving the Def Jam label, there will be almost no one left from the Jay-Z era on the label.

Read more...